Andrew D. Fine, M.D., F.A.A.N.S.
Dr. Andrew Fine specializes in the treatment of brain and spine problems using minimally invasive techniques. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, where he also completed his Post Doctoral training and residency. Dr. Fine is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and licensed in the State of Florida. His hospital appointments include Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Doctors Same Day Surgery and Cape Surgery. Widely published and regarded for his scholarly presentations, Dr. Fine is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. For two consecutive years he has been chosen as one of the physicians most highly regarded by his patients through vitols.com an online patient feedback site that rates doctor performance. In 2009 Dr. Fine received the Patients Choice On Time Physician Award from the American Registry of Business Excellence.
Ryan S. Glasser, M.D., F.A.A.N.S.
Dr. Ryan Glasser's clinical expertise includes minimally invasive spinal surgery, minimally invasive posterior and lateral lumbar fusion, complex spinal reconstruction, brain and spinal tumors, acoustic neuromas and trigeminal neuralgia. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Oklahoma College Of Medicine. Dr. Glasser's post-doctoral training included his residency in neurosurgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville. He has served as faculty teaching many new and innovative minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Glasser is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and licensed to practice in the State of Florida. His hospital appointments include Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, and Advanced Surgery Center. Memberships include the American Association of Neurologic Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the Florida Medical Association , and Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society. He has extensive experience in clinical research studies as well as being widely published. Dr. Glasser has been selected as "America's Best Physicians"on an annual basis and recently selected to Who's Who Top Doctors Honors Edition.
Robert S. Knego, M.D., F.A.A.N.S.
Dr. Robert Knego specializes in degenerative spinal disorders and deformities, as well as brain and spinal tumors. He received his medical degree from the University of Florida. He completed his neurosurgical training at the University of Florida under the tutelage of Dr. Albert Rhoton. Dr. Knego is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He is affiliated with Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, and Advanced Surgery Center of Sarasota. He has served as Chief of Surgery at Sarasota Memorial, and was instrumental in creating the Neuroscience department at Sarasota Memorial. He is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida. Dr. Knego was a president of Sarasota County Medical Society for two years. Finally he was appointed to and served on the Florida Brain Tumor Advisory Board.
Peter L. Mayer, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.N.S.
Dr. Mayer's expertise includes brain, spine and peripheral nerve surgery.
Dr. Mayer was born in Philadelphia, PA, and raised in Cherry Hill, NJ, and Chappaqua, NY. His education includes: BA, Psychobiology, Oberlin College, Phi Beta Kappa; MD, Dartmouth Medical School, with Honors, Alpha Omega Alpha; Internship in General Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Residency and Fellowship in Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Mayer is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Florida State University School of Medicine. He has has served on many hospital committees and holds many professional memberships. Dr. Mayer also works as a volunteer neurosurgeon in Trinidad, helping the underserved population and teaching neurosurgeons in training. He is married, with three children and one golden retriever. Interests include guitar, piano, innunguat, origami, photography, baseball, fiction writing, canoeing, paleontology, and sailing. He holds six patents.
Kenneth P. Vives, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.N.S.
Dr. Vives comes to us after a long, and prestigious practice at Yale University School of Medicine. While at Yale University, Dr Vives had a combined general neurosurgery practice at Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven. He served in Sections of Epilepsy and Spine at Yale-New Haven Hospital for 10 years. He also served as Director, Section of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Associate Residency Program Director and Director of Neurotrauma during his tenure at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Vives is board certified in Neurological Surgery as well as a Fellow of American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of the American Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, American Epilepsy Society, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons as well as the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Vives provides services in general neurosurgery including brain and spinal surgery with the addition of stereotactic and functional neurosurgery concentrating on surgery for Parkinson's Disease and Epilepsy. He is currently the Director of Advanced Neurosurgery, Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He is affiliated with Sarasota Memorial Hospital as well as Doctors Hospital of Sarasota and Advanced Surgery Center of Sarasota.
Sasha Vaziri, M.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Sasha Vaziri is a fellowship-trained ultra-minimally invasive, minimally invasive, complex and reconstructive spine neurosurgeon specializing in the surgical treatment of degenerative disorders of the spine, adult spinal deformity, spine trauma, and spine oncology. Dr. Vaziri's academic journey began at the University of Florida, where he attended on scholarship and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Neurobiology.
Continuing his education at the University of Florida, Dr. Vaziri completed medical school and residency training. Throughout his neurosurgical residency, he earned recognition for his exemplary bedside manner, leading to his induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Dr. Vaziri's dedication to comprehensive patient care extended beyond his primary training. He pursued further education at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where he completed the Program in Clinical Effectiveness and obtained a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.
Following the completion of his neurosurgical training, Dr. Vaziri joined the University of Miami as a clinical spine instructor. During his time there, he also completed a post-graduate fellowship specializing in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Vaziri actively contributes to the medical community, serving on hospital committees, authoring book chapters, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and presenting his research at international conferences.
Jared deStackelberg, PA-C
Jared deStackelberg is a Nationally-Certified Physician Assistant. He attained his Bachelor’s degree at Lynchburg College, now the University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, VA, and his Masters in Physician Assistant Studies at Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Jared worked at the Ocala Neurosurgical Center for four years, moving to Sarasota to join Neurosurgery and Spine Specialists in 2013. He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants. Jared is married with two children and enjoys taking the whole family to the beach.
Donna Polito, P.A.-C., M.P.A.S.
Donna Polito is a Nationally-Certified Physician Assistant. She has worked for Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists since 2013. Donna obtained her Bachelors of Science from the University of West Florida in 1999, and her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Florida in 2003. Prior to working in neurosurgery, Donna worked in orthopedic surgery and plastic surgery. At Neurosurgery and Spine Specialists she covers a broad spectrum of neurosurgical treatments of the spine and brain including degenerative spine, trauma, vascular neurosurgery, and brain tumors. Donna is a Fellow of the Association of Neurosurgical Physician Assistants and the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants. In her spare time, she enjoys running and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Josh Norman, P.A.-C., M.P.A.S.
Josh Norman is a Nationally-Certified Physician Assistant. He has worked for Neurosurgery and Spine Specialists since 2003, following his graduation from the University of Florida with a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies. Josh received his undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of North Florida where he played varsity baseball. He is an active member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants. Josh grew up and continues to reside in Sarasota , Florida. His wife, Jennifer, is a Physician Assistant in dermatology. They have three beautiful daughters, including a set of identical twins. Josh enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and playing many different sports.
Brett M. Griffin, P.A.-C., M.P.A.S.
Brett Griffin graduated from the University of Central Florida in May of 2000 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree, with an emphasis in Cardiopulmonary Sciences, and minoring in Health Services Administration. He worked as a Registered Respiratory Therapist in adult critical care at a level one trauma center in Orlando Florida. In August 2008, Brett earned a Master’s of Medical Science with an emphasis in Surgery from Nova Southeastern University and became a Nationally-Certified Physician Assistant one month later. Brett worked briefly in orthopedic surgery, until he ultimately found his home in the specialty of neurosurgery, working with his close friend, neurosurgeon Andrew D. Fine, M.D.. Brett enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, as well as immersing himself in the Holy Scripture found within the Bible. He feels truly blessed, and thanks God for what He has provided, continues to provide, and will provide, for those who truly seek Him.