Sunil Jeswani, M.D.Board Certified Neurosurgeon
Selected as one of San Diego's Top Doctors for 2024
Dr. Jeswani specializes in the surgical management of diseases affecting the brain, skull base, spinal cord, spinal column, and peripheral nerves. He graduated with University Honors from the University of Michigan with a dual degree in computer science and molecular biology. He then pursued graduate work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where his research focus involved machine learning algorithms and their application to neuro-engineering problems. He then attended Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan where he graduated in the top ten percent of his class and was elected to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha National medical Honor Society. He was also awarded the Charles and Ann Pofreika Award for his academic achievement during medical school.
He then went on to complete a residency in neurosurgery at the prestigious Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (ranked #2 in the United States on USNews), where he was involved in over 2,000 surgeries. During his residency, he scored above the 90th percentile in the neurosurgery written board exam. He was also awarded the Leo G. Rigler award for outstanding resident achievement, as well as the Moise Danielpour Academic Achievement award. He finally pursued a post-residency fellowship at the University of Southern California in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery.
Dr. Jeswani was on faculty at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, where he served as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and trained numerous neurosurgery residents and fellows. He also published numerous peer-reviewed articles in national journals, several book chapters, and abstract presentations at national conferences. He has been involved in international outreach missions in neurological and spinal surgery, where he has also trained international surgical trainees.
Dr. Jeswani is devoted to technical surgical excellence and striving for the best possible outcomes for his patients. He is highly regarded amongst his peers in his thoughtful care of his patients and neurosurgical precision during surgery. He has been named Physician of the Year at Palomar Medical Center two consecutive years in a row. He maintains leadership positions in neurosurgery at multiple hospitals in San Diego County.
His clinical interests include neurosurgical oncology, skull base surgery, cerebrovascular surgery, spinal oncology, spinal deformity, and minimally invasive spinal surgery. He maintains an active research interest in the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict and augment surgical outcomes.
Work Experience
Mar 2023 to Present
Medical Director of Neurosurgery
Sharp Healthcare Regional Hospitals
San Diego, CA
Mar 2023 to Present
Medical Director of Neurosurgery
Tri-City Medical Center
Oceanside, CA
Mar 2023 to Present
Spine and Brain Institute of San Diego
Neurosurgeon
San Diego, CA
Sep 2017 to Mar 2023
UC San Diego Health
Department of Neurosurgery
Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery
La Jolla, CA
Aug 2014 to Aug 2017
Southern California Institute of Neurological Surgery
Attending Neurosurgeon
Escondido, CA
Education
Feb 2014 to June 2014
University of Southern California
Department of Neurosurgery
Minimally invasive and complex spine surgery fellowship
Los Angeles, CA
July 2013 to Jan 2014
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Minimally invasive and complex spine surgery fellowship
Los Angeles, CA
2008 to 2013
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Neurosurgery Residency
Los Angeles, CA
2007 to 2008
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
General Surgery Internship
Los Angeles, CA
2003 to 2007
Wayne State University School of Medicine
M.D. Degree with High Distinction
Graduated in top 10% of class
Detroit, MI
1997 to 2002
University of Michigan
B.S. Computer Science
B.S. Cell and Molecular Biology
Graduated with University Honors
Ann Arbor, MI
Licensure / Certifications
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Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, May 2018
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California Flouroscopy and Radiography Permit
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Medical License issued by the Medical Board of California
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Licensed since May 2009
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Advanced Trauma Life Support Certified
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Basic/Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certified
Exams
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American Board of Neurological Surgery Oral Exam – Passed (May 2018)
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American Board of Neurological Surgery Written Exam – Passed (March 2011)
- Score: 651 (91st percentile)
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USMLE Step III – Passed (June 2008)
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USMLE Step II CS – Passed (April 2007)
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USMLE Step II CK – Passed (December 2006)
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USMLE Step I – Passed (June 2005)
Awards
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Leo G. Rigler Award for Outstanding Resident Achievment (June 2013, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)
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Indian Medical Association of Southern Calfornia Research Presentation Award (Oct. 2012, Anaheim,CA)
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Moise Danielpour Academic Achievement Award (Aug. 2011, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)
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Charles and Ann Pofreika Award (Jun. 2007, Wayne State University School of Medicine)
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American Association of Physician of Indian Origin Medical Student Award (Jun. 2007)
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Palomar Medical Center Physician of the Year (2018 and 2019)
Professional Memberships
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Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
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Congress of Neurological Surgeons
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American Association of Neurological Surgeons
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North American Spine Society
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Organization of Human Brain Mapping
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American Medical Association
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American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
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Society of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
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Subcortical Surgery Group
Hospital Privileges
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Sharp Grossmont Hospital, La Mesa, CA
March 2023 – Present
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Sharp Chula Vista Hospita, Chula Vista, CA
March 2023 - Present
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Palomar Medical Center, Escondido, CA
August 2014 – Present
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Palomar Medical Centeroway, CA
August 2014 – Present
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Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA
January 2016 – Present
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Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA
June 2017 – Present
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Scripps Memorial Hospital, Encinitas, CA
June 2017 - Present
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Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, CA
June 2017 - Present
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Tri-City Medical Center, Oceanside, CA
August 2014 – Present
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UCSD Jacobs Medical Center, La Jolla, CA
September 2017 – March 2023
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UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center, San Diego, CA
September 2017 – March 2023LAC+USC
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Keck/USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
February 2014 – August 2014
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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
July 2013 – June 2014
Academic Appointments
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University of California San Diego School of Medicine
- Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery
Present
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University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine
- Clinical Instructor
February 2014 – June 2014
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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Clinical Instructor
July 2013 – February 2014
Research Experience
Fall 2007
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Department of Neurosurgery
- Studied diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to sacral insufficiency fractures via minimally invasive techniques.
Detroit, MI
Summer 2004
The MIND Institute/University of New Mexico
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Researched effects on generalizability and accuracy of fMRI pattern classification by using a multi-classifier approach based on several neuranatomical areas.
Albuquerque, NM
2003 to 2004
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences
- Developed machine learning algorithms for pattern recognition of fMRI acquired during various motor, auditory, and visual task using support vector machine and neural network techniques.
- Implemented techniques to find optimal resolutions of fMRI in order to optimize generalizability and accuracy of pattern classification of fMRI in real-time.
Detroit, MI
2002 to 2003
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Lincoln Laboratory
- Developed pattern recognition algorithms for DNA microarrays using machine learning techniques including support vector machines.
- Constructed sensors for biological pathogens via exposure of cells to various pathogens and applying pattern recognition techniques to resulting mRNA response.
Lexington, MA
Abstracts
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Jeswani S, Nuno M, Mamelak A. “Comparative outcome between craniotomy and endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal resection of craniopharyngiomas: a single institution study.” Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting 2014.
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Schiraldi M, Jeswani S, Chu R, et al. “Treatment of Bow Hunter’s Syndrome secondary to multifactorial, multilevel vertebral artery stenosis by anterior decompression.” American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting 2014.
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Drazin D, Ross L, Jeswani S, et al. “Outcomes for patients with surgical treatment of primary and metastatic tumors of the spine.” Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting 2013.
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Jeswani S, Nuno M, Mukherjee D, et al. “Patients with cerebellar glioblastoma have the same prognosis as patients with supratentorial glioblastoma.” Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting 2012.
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Choulakian A, Drazin D, Jeswani S, et al. “Endovascular treatment of 104 cavernous carotid artery aneursyms.” American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting. 2010.
Recent Presentations
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“Surgical management of spinal metastatic disease.” Sharp Healthcare. May 2023.
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“Surgical management of spinal metastatic disease.” University of Nairobi Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds. Feb 2020
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“Evaluation and treatment of spinal cord injury.” University of Nairobi Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Grounds. Feb 2020
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“Surgical management of spinal metastatic disease.” Resident lecture at UCSD. May 2019.
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“Beat back pain.” Palomar Medical Center. May 2019.
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“Surgical management of spinal metastatic disease.” American Society of Spinal Radiology. Feb 2017.
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“Beat back pain.” Palomar Medical Center. Nov 2016.
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“Neurotrauma: nuts and bolts” Palomar Annual Trauma Symposium. Apr 2015.
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“Beat back pain.” Palomar Medical Center. Feb 2015.
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“Neurosurgical emergencies and ventriculostomy management.” Tri-City ICU Nursing Lecture. Dec 2014.
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“Surgical management of metastatic spinal disease.” ARCH Health Grand Rounds.
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“To fuse or not to fuse?” PCAMG Primary Care Meeting. Oct 2014.
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“Surgical management of metastatic spinal disease.” California Cancer Associates. Sep 2014.
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“Neurological assessment in the setting of spinal trauma.” Palomar Medical Center. Aug 2014.
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“Placement of thoracic pedicle screws.” University of Southern California Stryker Cadaver Lab. April 2014.
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“Diagnosis of low back pain – where are we?” University of Southern California Hospital Guild. March 2014.
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“Literature review on management of degenerative spondylolisthesis.” Cedars-Sinai Spine Center Grand Rounds. Aug 2013.
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“Surgical management of insular gliomas.” Cedars-Sinai Department of Neurosurgery Grand Rounds. Jun 2013
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“Comparison of survival between cerebellar and supratentorial glioblastoma patients.” Indian Medical Association of Southern California Annual Convention. Oct 2012.
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“Spinal meningiomas.” Cedars-Sinai Institute of Spinal Disorders Grand Rounds. Jul 2012
Ongoing Research
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Spinal deformity parameters and intraoperative deformity measurements
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Indolent anaerobic infection as etiology underlying degenerative disk disease
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Comparison of clinical outcomes and extent of resection of craniopharyngiomas via expanded endonasal vs. craniotomy approaches
Philanthropic/outreach Activities
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MIS Spinal Surgery outreach mission in Accra, Ghana
April 2024
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Spinal Deformity Surgery outreach mission in Accra, Ghana
Dec 2023
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Spinal surgery outreach mission in Nairobi, Kenya
Feb 2020
Clinical Interests
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Minimally invasive spine surgery
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Thoracic spine approaches
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Metastatic spinal tumors
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Intradural / intramedullary spinal tumors
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Intracranial tumors
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Functional brain mapping
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Endoscopic pituitary/skull base surgery
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Cerebrovascular surgery
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Trigeminal neuralgia
Research Interests
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Artificial intelligence/machine learning applications in predictive analytics in cranial and spinal surgery
Meet Sunil Jesewani, M.D.
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La Mesa Office
5525 Grossmont Center Drive,
Suite 602
La Mesa, CA 91942 -
Escondido Office
2125 Citracado Parkway,
Suite 310
Escondido, CA 92029
