Clinical Team

Jeffrey Head, M.D. AO Spine Fellow

Jeffery Head, M.D., joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery residency program in July of 2020. He graduated from Colgate University in 2012 with honors in cellular neuroscience and earned his medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in 2020, cum laude and AOA. Prior to medical school he spent two years at the NIH studying developmental neurobiology in zebra fish. His medical-school research covered spinal cord stimulation for chronic low-back pain, surgical approaches for OPLL, distal-circulation thrombectomy, and EVD infection risk.

David J. McCarthy, M.D. AO Spine Fellow

David J. McCarthy, M.D., completed his residency at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery in 2020 and holds a master's degree in clinical and translational research with a focus on statistics from the University of Miami. His research interests encompass neurosurgical epidemiology, treatment trends, neuroendovascular devices, and the molecular physiology of cerebral aneurysms, with ongoing work applying AI and machine learning to aneurysm assessment.

Farzana Tariq, M.D. AO Spine Fellow

Dr. Farzana Tariq is the current Spine Fellow, bringing two years of dedicated clinical research experience and comprehensive neurosurgical training from the University of Missouri. She has authored 24 peer-reviewed journal articles, 10 book chapters, and 9 operative videos, and is the author of the "Manual of Neurosurgery for Neurosurgery Residents," a practical handbook for junior trainees. She is completing an AO Spine fellowship under Dr. Kojo Hamilton and Dr. Nitin Agarwal, focusing on complex spine and deformity. Looking ahead, Dr. Tariq plans to join an academic spine practice, continue impactful research, and deliver patient-centered, outcomes-driven care.

Lauren Gronbeck, MPAS, PA-C

Lauren Gronbeck, MPAS, PA-C, is a Physician Assistant specializing in neurosurgery with experience in inpatient care, outpatient management, and operative first assist. Originally from Pittsburgh, she attended Bucknell University, where she competed as a Division I cross-country and track athlete while earning her bachelor's degree in biology. She attended Lock Haven University and earned her Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2022. She subsequently completed an intensive surgical PA residency at Yale School of Medicine/Norwalk Hospital, where she fell in love with neurosurgery.

Prior to joining Independence Health, Lauren served as Chief Physician Assistant at Elite Brain and Spine of Connecticut, where she helped lead a team of APPs while providing comprehensive neurosurgical care across the inpatient, outpatient, and surgical settings.

Throughout her career, she has developed expertise in the management of complex spinal and cranial disorders, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes and guide patients through every stage of their treatment journey.

Lauren is honored and excited to join the SCOLI team and return to her home state of Pennsylvania to serve patients throughout Western Pennsylvania and the surrounding region.

Outside of medicine, Lauren enjoys running marathons, snowboarding, wakesurfing, and spending time with her friends and family.

Jared R. Cowan, MPAS, PA-C

Jared R. Cowan, MPAS, PA-C, has over a decade of professional experience as a Physician Assistant. Originally from Central Pennsylvania, he attended Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences in 2011, followed by a Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Sciences in 2012. Jared moved to Westmoreland County in 2012, where he served the community working in the urologic surgery field until 2024. He developed a desire to master a new specialty; thus, he began his start in neurosurgery in early 2024 when he joined Independence Health System. He has experience treating patients in both the outpatient and inpatient settings, as well as surgical first-assist.

"I truly enjoy meeting new patients and helping them through the complex process that neurologic surgery entails. When patients return to me having had a successful recovery, it is more rewarding than anything I could imagine."

Outside of his professional work, Jared is an avid outdoorsman, having traveled across the United States for hunting and fishing excursions. On that note, he and his wife also enjoy traveling to new areas, while including their dogs in their adventures as often as possible. He is honored and excited to be part of the SCOLI team in caring for the Western Pennsylvania community.

Galal A. Elsayed, M.D.

Galal A. Elsayed, M.D., is an award-winning neurosurgeon specializing in endoscopic, minimally invasive, and complex reconstructive spine surgery. He earned his undergraduate degree in molecular microbiology and his medical degree from the University of Central Florida, completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and finished a fellowship in complex and minimally invasive spinal deformity at Washington University in St. Louis. A former postgraduate fellow with SCOLI, he is now an Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, practicing at Och Spine at NewYork-Presbyterian. His work pioneers three-dimensional surgical planning in virtual reality alongside augmented reality and robotics, and his research has been recognized with the Griffith R. Harsh III Research Award, the Richard B. Morawetz Research Award three years running, and selection as a University of Alabama at Birmingham Clinical Research Buchalter Scholar.

James H. Mooney, M.D. AO Spine Fellow

James H. Mooney, M.D., completed his fellowship in complex and minimally invasive spine deformity surgery under Dr. Agarwal at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery. He earned his bachelor's degree in neuroscience, cum laude, from Amherst College and his medical degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, then completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he received the Richard B. Morawetz, M.D. Resident Prize for Research. He is now an Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery in the Division of Spine Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University, specializing in complex and minimally invasive spine deformity surgery.

Manan Shah, M.D. AO Spine Fellow

Manan Shah, M.D., is a neurosurgery resident at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He grew up in Parsippany, NJ and graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers with a double major in molecular biology & biochemistry and psychology. He completed medical school at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School with AOA honors, then trained for four years at Detroit Medical Center / Wayne State University before returning to Rutgers to finish residency. His current interests include spinal cord injury and neurotrauma.

Ricardo Fernández-de Thomas, M.D. AO Spine Fellow

Ricardo J. Fernández-de Thomas, M.D., is a neurosurgeon who joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery residency program in 2021. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor's degree in cellular and molecular biology and completed his medical education at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine with magna cum laude distinction. After medical school he completed a four-year neurosurgery residency at the University of Puerto Rico. Dr. Fernández-de Thomas is dedicated to community outreach and has volunteered in health clinics in Puerto Rico and Central America. Outside of medicine he enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing martial arts, playing various sports, and engaging in outdoor activities.

Joseph Scott Hudson, M.D. AO Spine Fellow

Joseph Scott Hudson, M.D., is a neurosurgeon who joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery residency program in 2019. He graduated with research distinction from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, where he also obtained his undergraduate degree with honors in biology. His research has focused on cerebrovascular neurosurgery with contributions to the understanding of intracranial aneurysms, device development, and neurovascular imaging. Currently he is specializing as a complex and minimally invasive spine fellow.

Andrew D. Legarreta, M.D. AO Spine Fellow

Andrew D. Legarreta, M.D., joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery residency program in July of 2019 after receiving his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University, completing a B.A. in history. During medical school, Dr. Legarreta studied the effects of sport-related concussion in high school athletes, examining predictors of post-concussion syndrome and structural and functional neuroimaging findings in football players.

Hansen Deng, M.D. AO Spine Fellow

Hansen Deng, M.D., joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery residency program in July of 2019. Dr. Deng graduated with distinction from the UCSF School of Medicine, where he was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha. His research in TRACK-TBI investigates the discriminatory ability of biomarkers to provide precise assessment of injury severity and assist with prognostication after injury. At the Brain Trauma Research Center he investigates the role genetic factors play in the secondary pathophysiology of neurotrauma.

Gautam M. Nayar, M.D. AO Spine Fellow

Gautam M. Nayar, M.D., joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery residency program in July of 2018. After graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in computer science, he completed his medical education at Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Nayar cultivated an interest in spinal outcomes research focusing on minimally invasive approaches, radiation reduction protocol, and identification of pre-operative risk factors. His work on the clinical efficacy of ultra-low radiation imaging protocols was awarded the 2017 AANS Donald Quest Clinical Science Award.

Qazi Zeeshan, MD, MS AO Spine Fellow

Dr. Qazi Zeeshan completed a Postgraduate Neurosurgery Fellowship at SCOLI. He earned his medical degree from the Institute of Medical Sciences and completed general surgery residency at the same institution, followed by neurological surgery training at King George Medical University. He has since completed fellowships at Harborview Medical Center, SUNY University at Buffalo, and Mayo Clinic.

Roberta Sefcik, MD AO Spine Fellow

Roberta K. Sefcik, MD, MSCR, completed her fellowship training in complex spine surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery, where she also finished her neurosurgery residency and served as chief resident. She earned her undergraduate degree with University Honors from Carnegie Mellon University and her medical degree, with Distinction in Research, from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she also completed a Master of Science in Clinical Research. During her CAST-accredited spine fellowship she completed the AO Spine North America Global Spine Diploma Program, certifying her expertise across degenerative, traumatic, oncologic, deformity, and infectious disorders of the spine. She is now a board-certified neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the Medical University of South Carolina, specializing in disorders of the brain and spine in Charleston, South Carolina.

Mark Maclean, MD, MSc AO Spine Fellow

Dr. Mark Maclean is a neurosurgeon originally from Nova Scotia. He completed his medical school and residency at Dalhousie University. He recently completed a fellowship in complex spinal surgery and neurotrauma at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. During that time, he served on the medical staff of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His research focuses on brain and spine trauma, including translation of laboratory-based, mechanism-directed research to the clinical setting. His clinical interests include adult spinal deformity surgery and scoliosis.