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10 Best Neurosurgeons in Tampa

Choosing a neurosurgeon in Tampa usually starts with the problem being evaluated: a spine condition, brain finding, complex neurological concern or possible operation. A consultation can help define whether surgery, nonsurgical care or another referral is appropriate.

The practices differ in spine procedures, cranial and endovascular specialties, imaging discussions, second opinions, pediatric care and follow-up communication. Location also matters because listings span Tampa, Clearwater and Largo-area care settings.

How we built this ranking

This guide does not try to list everyone. It is our pick of neurosurgeons in Tampa, built on each business's public reputation and on how central this service is to what it does.

Some businesses pay for a fuller profile or a featured position. It is only open to those that have already passed our selection, and it is always marked.

Top 3The full listMapPicking the right one

Full Comparison of 10 Neurosurgeons in Tampa

Florida Surgery Consultants, Tampa#1
Strong points
  • MRI review with treatment planning

  • Plain-language option discussions

Florida Surgery Consultants

4.9494 reviews
3030 N Rocky Point Dr W #665, Tampa, FL 33607, United States
Ideal for
Patients seeking a neurosurgical second opinionPeople needing MRI findings explained clearly

Florida Surgery Consultants provides neurosurgical consultations for patients seeking a clearer understanding of spinal problems and treatment options. The consultation experience described in the evidence includes reviewing MRI results, explaining the condition in understandable terms and developing a plan.

The practice may suit people pursuing another specialist’s perspective or trying to make sense of persistent cervical spine pain. Appointments are described as prompt, with office staff assisting patients through the process and helping explain next steps.

Christopher R. Mickler, DO, Tampa#2
Strong points
  • Recommendations tailored to activity level

  • Preoperative testing explained by the care team

Christopher R. Mickler, DO

4.9344 reviews
400 Pinellas St #325, Clearwater, FL 33756, United States
Ideal for
Patients seeking neurosurgical evaluation or surgeryPeople who want treatment options explained clearly

Christopher R. Mickler, DO is a neurosurgeon whose care includes consultations, physical evaluation and surgical treatment. Patients describe an approach that includes listening to health history, explaining conditions and treatment options in understandable terms, and tailoring recommendations to personal activity levels. Preoperative testing and hospital-based surgery are represented in the care journey described. The practice requires appointments, with on-site services and parking available.

Dean J. Gobo, MD, Tampa#3
Strong points
  • Detailed procedure explanations

  • Individual treatment planning

Dean J. Gobo, MD

4.9181 reviews
400 Pinellas St #325, Clearwater, FL 33756, United States
Ideal for
Patients seeking neurosurgical consultationPeople needing spine treatment planningPatients with questions about brain findings

Dean J. Gobo, MD provides neurosurgical evaluation and treatment in Clearwater. Care described includes addressing head injuries, evaluating an incidental meningioma, developing plans for back problems and explaining procedures before treatment.

The practice suits patients who want detailed discussions of findings and treatment choices. Accounts describe thorough explanations and a patient approach when answering questions, including reassurance when a discovered condition did not require surgery. A consultation is the appropriate setting to determine the plan for an individual neurological or spine concern.

Dr. Kunal Vakharia, MD, Tampa#4
Strong points
  • Skull base and endovascular specialties

Dr. Kunal Vakharia, MD

4.970 reviews
2 Tampa General Cir, Tampa, FL 33606, United States
Ideal for
Patients seeking complex neurosurgical consultation

Dr. Kunal Vakharia, MD is a Tampa neurosurgeon at the USF Health Department of Neurosurgery. His listed specialties include skull base surgery, complex cranial surgery, brain tumor neurosurgery, endovascular neurosurgery, and general neurosurgery. Patients can request an appointment or arrange a referral through the practice.

The care scope is suited to people seeking consultation for complex neurological conditions and surgical planning. Patient-care accounts describe explanations extending from consultation through surgery and aftercare, while the provider page also lists virtual care for some concerns. The evidence supports a specialist-focused practice rather than a general medical clinic.

Tien Le M.D., Tampa#5
Strong points
  • Complex spine surgery experience

Tien Le M.D.

4.7376 reviews
1110 Nikki View Dr, Brandon, FL 33511, United States
Ideal for
Patients seeking neurosurgical spine care

Tien Le M.D. is a neurosurgeon for patients seeking evaluation and surgical care for complex spine problems. The practice requires appointments, making advance scheduling part of planning.

Dr. Le’s documented care includes discectomy, laminectomy and TLIF procedures. Patient accounts also describe a minimally invasive approach in one case, detailed explanations before surgery, and follow-up guidance during recovery.

Carrie Shulman MD Neurosurgeon, Tampa#6
Strong points
  • Robotic image-guided spine surgery

  • Minimally invasive brain and spine procedures

Carrie Shulman MD Neurosurgeon

4.7326 reviews
1551 W Bay Dr Ste 101, Largo, FL 33770, United States
Ideal for
Minimally invasive spine surgeryBrain and spine neurosurgical evaluationChronic pain and spinal disorders

Carrie Shulman MD Neurosurgeon provides minimally invasive brain and spine surgery at HCA Florida Largo Hospital. Her practice covers spinal disorders, chronic pain, brain aneurysms, stroke, tumors, spinal motion preservation, disc restoration, and outpatient spine surgery.

Listed procedures include minimally invasive spine surgery, robotic image-guided spine surgery and fusion, endoscopic craniotomies, brain tumor procedures, and deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders. The practice suits patients seeking specialized neurosurgical evaluation and surgical options.

Appointments are recommended, and the center provides on-site services.

Clayton T. Bauer, MD, PhD, Tampa#7
Strong points
  • Imaging review paired with direct consultation

Clayton T. Bauer, MD, PhD

4.7204 reviews
14547 Bruce B Downs Blvd Ste C, Tampa, FL 33613, United States
Ideal for
Patients seeking spine-focused consultationPeople wanting detailed treatment explanations

Clayton T. Bauer, MD, PhD provides neurosurgical consultations for people seeking evaluation of spinal or other neurological concerns. Appointments are required or recommended, and the consultation process includes reviewing imaging and testing, examining the patient and explaining diagnosis and treatment options.

The practice suits patients who want a detailed discussion of available choices and next steps. Reported consultations also include guidance when another specialist is needed, while the office setting is organized around scheduled appointments and one-on-one conversations with the physician.

Juan M. Valdivia-Valdivia, MD, Tampa#8
Strong points
  • Surgical and nonsurgical spine care

  • Family-inclusive treatment explanations

Juan M. Valdivia-Valdivia, MD

4.7142 reviews
3101 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd #125, Tampa, FL 33607, United States
Ideal for
Complex spinal consultationsFamilies evaluating spine surgery optionsPatients with vertebral injuries

Juan M. Valdivia-Valdivia, MD is a neurosurgeon whose documented care includes spinal conditions, spinal fusion decisions, vertebral fractures and complex cases involving the spinal canal. Patients and families can expect time devoted to discussing options and understanding the treatment path.

The practice may suit patients and families seeking consultation for serious or complicated spinal concerns. Available accounts describe both surgical and non-surgical management in specific cases, so the appropriate approach depends on the individual medical evaluation rather than a single standard procedure.

Dr. Jonathan S. Hall, MD, Tampa#9
Strong points
  • MRI-guided surgical discussions

Dr. Jonathan S. Hall, MD

4.7112 reviews
3030 N Rocky Point Dr #665, Tampa, FL 33607, United States
Ideal for
Spine-surgery consultationsPatients reviewing MRI findings

Dr. Jonathan S. Hall, MD provides neurosurgical and spine care in Tampa, with appointments required or recommended. Consultations described here include reviewing MRI findings, discussing surgical benefits and risks, considering the consequences of nonoperative care and explaining recovery expectations for procedures such as spinal fusion, discectomy and laminectomy.

He suits patients seeking a detailed spine-surgery consultation and a clear decision-making process. The practice also supports postoperative questions and recovery follow-up, with staff involved in care coordination and paperwork.

John M. Gachiani, MD, Tampa#10
Strong points
  • Spinal cord de-tethering experience

  • Detailed surgical explanations

John M. Gachiani, MD

4.7111 reviews
3101 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd #125, Tampa, FL 33607, United States
Ideal for
Patients seeking complex spine evaluationFamilies pursuing pediatric neurosurgical carePatients needing surgical or pain referrals

John M. Gachiani, MD provides neurosurgical evaluation and surgical care for complex spine and nervous-system conditions. Documented cases include spinal cord de-tethering for a child with spina bifida and lumbar fusion, while consultations can include pain planning, further evaluation and referrals for nerve testing or pain management.

The practice suits patients seeking a neurosurgeon who explains causes, options and next steps in understandable terms. Evidence also supports detailed pre- and post-operative communication, including speaking with patients around complex surgery.

A summary of the options

#BusinessRatingReviewsIdeal for
#1Florida Surgery Consultants 4.9494Patients seeking a neurosurgical second opinion
#2Christopher R. Mickler, DO 4.9344Patients seeking neurosurgical evaluation or surgery
#3Dean J. Gobo, MD 4.9181Patients seeking neurosurgical consultation
#4Dr. Kunal Vakharia, MD 4.970Patients seeking complex neurosurgical consultation
#5Tien Le M.D. 4.7376Patients seeking neurosurgical spine care
#6Carrie Shulman MD Neurosurgeon 4.7326Minimally invasive spine surgery
#7Clayton T. Bauer, MD, PhD 4.7204Patients seeking spine-focused consultation
#8Juan M. Valdivia-Valdivia, MD 4.7142Complex spinal consultations
#9Dr. Jonathan S. Hall, MD 4.7112Spine-surgery consultations
#10John M. Gachiani, MD 4.7111Patients seeking complex spine evaluation

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Neurosurgeons in Tampa and the wider area

The list is centered on Tampa but includes neurosurgical care in Clearwater and Largo, as well as hospital- and university-connected settings. The geographic spread can matter when consultations, testing or follow-up require repeated visits. Use the practice location alongside the medical fit. Before traveling, ask where consultations, procedures and follow-up occur, and whether a referral or appointment is needed.

Neurosurgical care represented

  • Spine consultationsSeveral listed specialists evaluate spinal conditions, imaging findings, pain, fractures, stenosis and complex spine concerns.
  • MRI and imaging reviewSome practices specifically describe reviewing MRI results, testing and scans before explaining treatment options.
  • Spine surgeryDocumented procedures include discectomy, laminectomy, TLIF, fusion, spinal cord de-tethering and minimally invasive spine surgery.
  • Brain and cranial careThe list includes brain tumor, skull base, endovascular, aneurysm, stroke and complex cranial specialties.
  • Second opinions and treatment planningConsultations can provide another specialist perspective, explain whether surgery is needed and outline possible next steps.
  • Pediatric and family-inclusive careJohn M. Gachiani, MD is associated with pediatric neurosurgical care, while several practices describe detailed communication with families.
  • Postoperative guidanceSome descriptions include recovery expectations, follow-up questions, aftercare communication and coordination.

How to compare Tampa neurosurgeons

  1. Name the condition you need evaluatedAsk whether the practice routinely handles your concern, such as a cervical spine problem, vertebral fracture, brain tumor, aneurysm, movement disorder or pediatric spine condition.
  2. Ask what the first consultation includesVerify whether the visit covers physical evaluation, MRI or testing review, diagnosis discussion and a plan for surgical or nonsurgical care.
  3. Request the relevant procedure experienceIf surgery is being considered, ask specifically about the named procedure, such as fusion, discectomy, laminectomy, TLIF, endoscopic craniotomy or de-tethering.
  4. Clarify referral and appointment requirementsAsk whether you can request an appointment directly, need a referral, or must complete preoperative testing before the next step.
  5. Discuss recovery communicationAsk who explains risks, recovery expectations, follow-up questions and postoperative coordination, particularly when family members will help with care.

Questions readers ask

Do all neurosurgeon listings mean surgery is required?

No. The descriptions include consultations where the outcome may be surgical or nonsurgical, and one practice specifically describes reassurance when a finding did not require surgery. A consultation is used to evaluate the individual condition and determine an appropriate plan.

Which Tampa neurosurgeons focus on spine care?

Spine-focused options include Florida Surgery Consultants, Tien Le, Clayton T. Bauer, Juan M. Valdivia-Valdivia and Jonathan S. Hall. Carrie Shulman and others also describe spine procedures or spinal-disorder care alongside broader neurosurgical services.

Where can patients ask about complex brain conditions?

Dr. Kunal Vakharia lists skull base, complex cranial, brain tumor and endovascular neurosurgery. Carrie Shulman’s description includes brain aneurysms, stroke, tumors and selected brain procedures. A consultation determines whether the practice fits a particular diagnosis.

Can a neurosurgical consultation help with a second opinion?

Yes. Florida Surgery Consultants | Tampa is specifically described as suitable for patients seeking another specialist’s perspective and MRI findings explained in plain language. Other listed practices also describe detailed discussions of diagnosis and treatment choices.

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