Courtney Voelker, MD, PhD (DPhil Oxon), is a Rhodes Scholar and board certified neurotologist. She is Director of Otology/Neurotology-Lateral Skull Base Surgery; and Director of the Adult & Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. She is an otolaryngology – head & neck surgeon who takes care of adult and pediatric patients seeing a wide range of inner ear and skull base conditions. Dr. Voelker developed PNI’s enhanced treatment protocol for the treatment of acoustic neuromas. For qualified patients who suffer hearing loss before or after surgery, a cochlear implant may be placed in the affected ear to restore hearing at the time of tumor removal—a unique feature offered at few institutions. Dr. Voelker is a member of the Acoustic Neuroma Association Medical Advisory Board. A Super Doctor Rising Star award recipient, she is committed to offering top quality, compassionate care to all her patients.

Garni Barkhoudarian, MD, FAANS, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon with a focus on skull base and minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. Dr. Barkhoudarian has particular interest and expertise in pituitary and parasellar tumors, brain tumors, skull-base tumors (including meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas, chordomas and schwannomas), intra-ventricular brain tumors, colloid cysts, trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm and other vascular compression syndromes. For virtually all tumors and intracranial procedures, Dr. Barkhoudarian applies the keyhole concept of minimizing collateral damage to the brain and its supporting structures using advanced neuroimaging and neuro-navigation techniques along with endoscopy to improve targeting and lesion visualization.

Walavan Sivakumar, MD, FAANS, is a fellowship-trained and board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in complex cranial surgery, with a focus on minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques. He provides treatment for tumors of the brain, skull-base, and pituitary in addition to cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and carotid stenosis. He employs the “keyhole” technique, utilizing advanced technology and microsurgical techniques to minimize collateral damage to the brain.

April Vassantchart, MD, is a radiation oncologist who supports and guides patients through their cancer journey. Dr. Vassantchart works with her patients to produce an individualized plan that meets their unique needs.

Dr. Amit Kochhar, MD, is double board-certified in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is the director of the Facial Nerve Disorders Program at Pacific Eye, Ear & Skull Base Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica. Dr. Kochhar is one of a few select surgeons who perform complex (microvascular) head and neck reconstruction following cancer resections and facial trauma, as well as for the rehabilitation of facial paralysis, an area in which he has specific clinical expertise and research interest.

Rebecca (Becky) Lewis, AuD, is an audiologist and the Audiology Director of the Adult & Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. She also holds the position of Adjunct Professor at Mount Saint Mary University / John Tracey Deaf and Hard of Hearing program. She has provided rehabilitative services including hearing aids, hearing protection, Osseo integrated devices, auditory brainstem implant and cochlear implant (CI) services to adults and children.

Amy Eisenberg, MSN, ARNP, CNRN. Amy’s 25 years of experience as a nurse practitioner with neuroscience and brain tumor patients helps to ensure our patients’ complete continuity of care, from first point of contact through inpatient hospitalization and post op recovery. Along with her clinical expertise, Amy’s commitment to planning and education not only for the patient but also the patient’s family help to assure maximal confidence and comfort. She is director of the minimally invasive neurosurgery fellowship & research program and director of the neuroscience nursing symposium program.

Rebecca Zanzerkia, PA-C, is a certified physician assistant who specializes in ENT/Neurosurgery. Prior to joining Pacific Neuroscience Institute, she worked at St. Barnabas Hospital in Bronx, NY as a part of a small team in a very well-rounded, highly complex and challenging neurosurgical/neurotrauma service. Rebecca worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings with a passion in intraoperative cases as first assist to very prestigious neurosurgeons in the Tristate NY area.

Corwin Patis, PT, DPT, OCS, CEEAA, CSCS, LSVT-BIG, is a Senior Physical Therapist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute®.