Dr. Alexander A. Khalessi, a neurosurgeon at UC San Diego Health, has been named a 2024 Castle Connolly Top Doctor for the second consecutive year, placing him among approximately 7 percent of licensed physicians nationwide who receive this annual honor in their specialties and regions. This peer-nominated recognition, selected by a physician-led research team, reflects the high regard his medical colleagues hold for his clinical expertise. Dr. Khalessi's practice encompasses a broad spectrum of neurological conditions, including brain cancer, stroke, and various vascular disorders, utilizing both complex cranial surgery and minimally invasive, catheter-based endovascular neurosurgical techniques.
His surgical versatility enables treatment of complicated issues such as primary and metastatic brain tumors, cavernomas, aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), Moyamoya disease, and carotid artery disease. Beyond clinical work, Dr. Khalessi holds significant leadership roles at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, serving as chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery, holding the Don and Karen Cohn Chancellor's Endowed Chair in Neurosurgery, and professing in neurological surgery, radiology, and neurosciences. These positions underscore his dual commitment to patient care and medical education, contributing to the institution's academic mission.
Dr. Khalessi's patient care philosophy emphasizes personalization and long-term relationships, acknowledging the anxiety accompanying neurological diagnoses. He aims to support patients throughout their medical journey, stating, 'We want to support them in that journey and make it clear we are in a great position to get them back to their life before they needed a neurosurgeon. That starts by listening to their concerns and meeting them in the moment.' His educational background includes a medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, a seven-year residency in neurological surgery at USC University Hospital, and a fellowship in advanced clinical endovascular neurosurgery at SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine-affiliated hospitals, complemented by an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and an MS in health services research from Stanford University School of Medicine.
This repeated Top Doctor recognition, along with multiple 'Top Doc' designations from San Diego Magazine, underscores his consistent excellence in neurosurgery. His ability to integrate advanced surgical techniques with compassionate, patient-centered care makes him a valuable asset to UC San Diego Health and the broader medical community. The recognition arrives as neurosurgical techniques rapidly evolve, with Dr. Khalessi's proficiency in both traditional and minimally invasive procedures positioning him at the forefront of these developments, potentially offering patients access to advanced treatments. As interventions progress, his ongoing recognition suggests patients in San Diego and beyond have access to world-class neurological care, with his commitment to clinical excellence and academic leadership indicating a promising future for neurosurgical advancements and outcomes at UC San Diego Health.
