Raj K. Narayan, MD

Raj K. Narayan, MD, is a renowned neurosurgeon who serves as the senior vice president, professor and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, and executive director of the Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery at Northwell Health. He leads a world-class neurosurgical team and has more than 35 years of specialized expertise in cranial and spinal neurosurgery, traumatic brain injury and brain tumors. He is a nationally recognized leader in neurosurgery and has been the chair of three major neurosurgical programs.

Well known for his research in traumatic brain injury, Dr. Narayan has published more than 130 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 64 book chapters, and has co-edited Neurotrauma a major reference textbook on head and spinal injury. He also helped develop the Guidelines for the Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury which have been adopted both nationally and internationally.

As professor and chair of neurosurgery at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Dr. Narayan is committed to training the next generation of neurosurgeons. He spearheads one of the largest and most sought-after neurosurgical residency programs in the country, and has been involved in training more than 85 residents many of whom now hold major academic positions. He is passionate about passing his knowledge on to other medical professionals and has been invited to give numerous lectures worldwide.

When it comes to delivering the best neurosurgical care, Dr. Narayan takes a conservative approach, and recommends surgical intervention only when it is absolutely necessary. He also spends time with his patients and their families to explain complex conditions, treatments and procedures simply and with clarity.

Throughout his many years in practice, Dr. Narayan has received numerous awards and recognitions. He has been continuously listed in the Best Doctors in America for many years. He also received the William Fields Caveness Award and the Champion of Hope Award from the Brain Injury Association.

Dr. Narayan obtained his medical education at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, and his neurosurgery residency at the Medical College of Virginia. He then completed a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. Prior to arriving at Northwell, he served on the faculty at Baylor College of Medicine and as Chair of Neurosurgery at Temple University and the University of Cincinnati. He is certified by and has served as an examiner for the American Board of Neurological Surgery.

Dr. Narayan is a member of several prestigious national committees including the Society of Neurological Surgeons, the Academy of Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is currently the president of the New York Society of Neurosurgery.