Doctors in Pittsburgh, PA, area

[Beth]

Hello,

Can anybody provide information about doctors in/near Pittsburgh? My dad was just diagnosed with an AN and met with an ear specialist at Univ. of West Virginia. He does about one surgery per month. I'm trying to convince dad to seek a second opinion. What do you all know about doctors in Pittsburgh, PA? Thanks!

[Mark]

I would suggest the University of Pittsburgh which has a reputation of being one of the top Neurosurgery centers in the US. I can't suggest any docs, but they also have specialists in both micro surgery and radio surgery. One AN surgery a month would not meet the test of someone being a specialist in removing AN's. You want to seek out someone who has done in the hundreds or greater

[Beth]

Thanks Mark. I'm going to try to persuade him to call/visit U. Pitt.

[john.burkeiii]

Hi Beth,

I'm in Pittsburgh, diagnosed with AN 2 months ago.  I have been seeing Dr. Douglas Chen at Allegheny General Hospital.  I've heard good things about him, and he has a very good reputation.  I'm still doing a bit of research myself, but Dr Chen and his staff have been great so far!

If there's anything I might be able to help you with, my email is john.burkeiii@juno.com

--JOHN

[gailf]

hi beth,
dr.hirsh and kassam are at upmc. they work together as ent and neurosurgeon. there  is also dr. lundsford who is suppose to be top notch in gamma knife. gail

[Beth]

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies. I was on vacation so please pardon my delay in responding. My dad did investigate options at U. Pitt. and is having gamma knife with Dr. L in one week.

I deeply appreciate all of the comments and information from this site. It gave us a lot of leads and questions to consider. I'll keep you all posted on his outcome. He's very optimistic.

-Beth

[justpens]

Beth,

I had my AN operated on by Dr. Douglas Chen and Dr. Casey at AGHG.  I was very pleased with Dr. Chen's professionalism and bedside manner.  I would recommend them.

justpens

[tclark]

Hi Beth

   In June of this year, I underwent GK at UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center).  Dr. Hirsch initially saw me (Eye and Ear Institute) who then recommended that I see both the neurosurgeon (Dr. Kassam) and Dr. Lunsford (Radiosurgeon).   I would highly recommend either to you and your father. Both are reknowned for their expertise in the area of microsurgical removal of ANs  and the Gamma Knife Procedure.   Upon research as to where I could have either of these procedures done, I am so glad that I had all three of these doctors as an option for me.   Good luck
                                                                                           tclark

[dontmumble]

Dr. D. Bradley Welling did my surgery 5 years ago.  He's in Columbus Ohio, with the Ohio State University.  He's one of the best there is, I'm told.

[josnik]

I was just diagnosed Friday. My ent dr recommended Dr Chen or Dr Hirsh. I 'm glad I found this site with both of these names listed. Which hospital did the surgery take place. Would AGH or UPMC be better? I think both dr's work out of both?? I have time to do some research but I'm not sure where to start. This news has been difficult. I battled hodgkins 13 yrs ago. Im 38 yrs old. Any advice is welcome.

[Becky]

I do not recommend the doctors named hirsch and kassam. 

[josnik]

I have chosen Dr Chen for my Surgery--he seems very nice and took the time to discuss all options with me. Thank you for the heads up.

[Beth]

Hello all,

Happy new year. I bet that the Pittsburgh area folks are excited this morning about the Superbowl!

My dad had his GK procedure with Dr. Lundsford in July and recently went for his 6-month MRI. We were happy to find out that his tumor has not grown. Dad's hearing has stayed the same, which I think is about a 50% loss if I remember correctly.

He has experienced only mild side effects and continues to work, travel, etc. He was very lucky.

Take care everybody.
-Beth

[Becky]

3/1/06 is my 2-year anniversary for surgery.  I will regret having the surgery for the rest of my life.  My woes are not in any statistics for the surgeons.. as is often the case.  Buyer beware.. of surgeons who are also Psychologists and Expert Witnesses.. Beware of doctors Soliciting to Lower Caps on Mal-practice Suits!  if something goes wrong, You become the Enemy, and the better they are the worse it is for you if they mess up, which they often Do! 

People can be above the law in any profession.  It is VERY difficult to present a mal-practice case and THEY KNOW IT.  The harder they work to attain their status, the harder they will defend it!  Beware of doctors who do good because of their own status and not because they care about their patients!  I am on the east coast, so I didn't know I could have gone to the House in LA.  Things could have worked out much better than they have.. but that's not how it happened. 

The surgeons who I entrusted my life to, hurt me Terribly.. like it was Nothing to them!  I was told people are afraid to go against them because they don't want to lose their jobs.  What kind of justice is that?  When to do right, you could lose your job?  Who's calling the shots?  It ain't me..

Here's what I was told by the surgeon just 7 months after major surgery when I thought I was having a Stroke!  He said, "you coming to me with this is like you coming to me because you're pregnant.."   A "respected" surgeon said that to me!!  Within two months he terminated our patient/doctor relationship because of lack of respect and trust.. oh really?  I trusted them with my future..

3/1/04 (

[janz]

Just reading through the forum and trying to find Pittsburgh info as I am newly diagnosed with a 2cm An and considering GK.
I am curious how big was your Dad"s and how is he feeling now? Did he have any side affects from the GK?
Were you happy with the Dr?   Thanks!!!!