Mark M. Souweidane, M.D.
Pediatric Neurological Surgery

About
Specialties and Expertise
Specialties
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pediatric Neurological Surgery
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Neurological Surgery
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology
Expertise
- Pediatric Brain Tumors
- Minimally Invasive (Endoscopic) Neurosurgery
- Craniofacial Disorders
- Colloid Cyst of Third Ventricle
- Pediatric Neuro-Oncology
- Pontine Glioma
- Hydrocephalus
- Pineal Tumor
- Tethered Cord
- Chiari Malformation
- Endoscopy
- Spinal Cord Tumor
- Pediatric Seizures
- Endoscopic Neurosurgery
- Arnold-Chiari Malformation
- Craniofacial Abnormalities
- Moyamoya Syndrome
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery
- Pediatric Head and Neck Tumors
- Pediatric Hydrocephalus
- Pediatric Solid Tumors
- Pediatric Stroke
- Neuroblastoma
- Congenital Hydrocephalus
- Hydrocephalus In Newborn
- Hydrocephalus, Congenital
- Intraventricular Endoscopic Neurosurgery
- Brain Surgery
- Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery
- Craniofacial Anomaly
Biography
Mark M. Souweidane, MD has dedicated his career to the surgical treatment of children with brain and spinal disorders. His talents as a surgeon are paralleled by a caring attitude and time commitment to patients and their families. That Weill Cornell Medicine is a recognized leader in Pediatric Neurosurgery is a direct result of his recruitment in 1995 and his ongoing devotion to contemporary surgical techniques and investigative endeavors. Specialized surgical skills have gained him international reputation for specific procedures, including removal of intraventricular brain tumors, management of pineal region tumors, treatment of congenital cysts, and surgery for Chiari malformation. In addition to the development of a world-class Pediatric Neurosurgery service, he has championed minimal access neurosurgery. His publications, clinical case volume, and practical courses continue to draw patients and practitioners that benefit from his endoscopic talents. His commitment to the education of future pediatric neurosurgeons is reflected in his participation on the Committee of Admissions for the medical college, his lectures to medical school students, his role as resident advisor, and resident mentoring at one of the country's premier training programs. Surgical areas of expertise include:
>> Removal of intraventricular brain tumors
>> Endoscopic intracranial surgery
>> Tumors (colloid cyst, benign astrocytoma)
>> Hydrocephalus (endoscopic third ventriculostomy)
>> Congenital cysts (endoscopic fenestration)
>> Treatment for Chiari malformations and syringomyelia
>> Management of pineal region tumors
>> Removal of intramedullary spinal cord tumors
>> Correction of craniofacial disorders
>> Multidisciplinary treatment of pediatric vascular abnormalities (arteriovenous malformations, Moyamoya disease, and cavernous malformations)
Dr. Souweidane currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery and the Director of Pediatric Neurological Surgery at the Weill Cornell Medical College and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is a professor in Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics.
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Dr. Souweidane sees patients at: Upper East Side: Starr520 East 70th Street (east of York Avenue) Starr Pavillion, Room 651 New York, NY
Upper East Side: Weill Greenberg1305 York Avenue (at 70th Street) Brain and Spine Center, 9th Floor New York, NY
Please confirm the location of your appointment with your patient coordinator.
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Looking for a second opinion? Dr. Souweidane can review your scans: Click here to upload your images. (If you do not have an account simply enter your email address and you will be prompted to create an account. Instructions here.)
Dr. Mark M. Souweidane completed his undergraduate training at the University of Michigan where he graduated with distinction in Microbiology. He attended Wayne State University Medical School as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. His general surgery internship was completed at University of Michigan Hospitals and he subsequently did his neurosurgery residency at New York University under the direction of Drs. Joseph Ransohoff and Fred Epstein. He served as the chief clinical fellow for pediatric neurosurgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto during Harold Hoffman's tenure as chairman.
He has gained international acclaim in minimally invasive endoscopic neurosurgery for the treatment of hydrocephalus, intraventricular brain tumors, colloid cysts, and congenital cysts. His other areas of expertise include brain and spinal cord tumors of childhood, Chiari malformations, congenital spinal disorders, arachnoid cysts, and pediatric vascular disorders. His commitment to advanced surgical therapy for children with brain tumors is exemplified by his appointment as Chairman of the Neurosurgery Committee of the Children's Oncology Group. He is a member of the Professional Advisory Board of the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation. He has published 60 peer reviewed articles, authored 6 book chapters, and serves on the editorial board of the journal Neurosurgery. He is the principal investigator of a laboratory that is partly funded by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. His laboratory focuses on improving the outcome of children with brain tumors by studying experimental local delivery and brain tumor modeling.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center
Weill Cornell Medicine Pediatric Brain and Spine Center
Research
Honors and Awards
Honors and Awards
- James B. Angell Scholar Recipient, 1982, 1983
- Bachelors of Science Degree with High Honors, 1983
- Medical Doctorate Degree with Distinction, 1988
- Alpha Omega Alpha Inductee, 1988
- Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, Project Program Grant, 2000
- Emily Dorfman Foundation for Children, 2001-2003
- Save a Child’s Heart Foundation, 2003
- Resident Teaching Award, Department of Neurological Surgery (NYPH-WMC), 2004, 2005
- Isabel Gloria Neidorf Research Grant, 2004-2007
- Beez Foundation Research Grant, 2005-2006
- Lehman Brothers Foundation Award, 2006-2009
- Children’s Hope Award, 2007
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Research Grant, 2007-2008
- Clinical & Translational Science Center Pilot Award, 2008
- Nina W. Werblow Charitable Trust Award, 2009
- Consumers’ Research Council of America Top Surgeons Award, 2010
- Beez Foundation Research Grant, 2010
- The Cure Starts Now Foundation Research Grant, 2010
- The Cristian Rivera Foundation Award, 2010
- Dana Neuroimmnology Foundation, 2010
- St. Baldrick’s Foundation, 2010
- Employee of the Year for Department of Neurological Surgery (NYPH-WMC), 2010, 2011
- Cristian Rivera Vision of Hope Award, 2012, 2013, 2014
- New York Magazine’s Best Doctors, 2012-2014
- Louis and Rachel Rudin Foundation, Inc., 2012-2014
- Castle Connolly Best Doctors (nationwide), 2010-2015
- McKenna Claire Foundation Research Grant, 2014
- Cristian Rivera Vision of Hope Award, 2014
- Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation Award, 2015
- New York Magazine’s Best Doctors, 2016
- Breakthrough Spirit Award, Children’s Cancer & Blood Foundation, 2016
- Cristian Rivera Foundation Vison of Hope Award, 2016
- Brain Tumor Foundation Award, 2016
- TSC NYC Marathon Finisher: 5:05:44, 2018
- Castle Connolly Top Doctors (New York Metro Area), 2004-2019
- New York SuperDoctors 2008, 2009, 2012-2019
Learn more
Credentials
Board Certifications
- American Board of Neurological Surgery
- American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery
Clinical and Academic Positions
- Professor of Neurological Surgery in Pediatrics - Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
- Professor of Neurological Surgery - Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
- Attending Neurological Surgeon - NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
- Adjunct Clinical Professor of Neurological Surgery - Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Education and Training
- M.D., Wayne State University School of Medicine, 1988
Insurance
Insurance Plans Accepted
The following represents most of the managed care plans accepted by this doctor. If your insurance carrier does not appear here please contact the doctor’s office as they may have individual contracts not included on this site.
* indicates this doctor is no longer accepting new patients with this insurance plan.
- Aetna Weill Cornell Employee PPO Plan
- Aetna-NYP - EPO/POS
- Affinity Access
- Affinity Health Plan
- Emblem Select Care
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Blue Access
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - EPO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - HMO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Mediblue (Senior)
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - PPO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield HealthPlus
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield HealthPlus - CHP
- Fidelis Care
- GHI - CBP
- Health First
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP)
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP) - Medicaid
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP) - Medicare
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Rockefeller University - Trustmark
- United Healthcare
- United Healthcare - Community Plan
- United Healthcare - Medicare
- VNSNY CHOICE - HMO
- VNSNY CHOICE - Medicare
- WorldWide Medical
Locations and Appointments
News and Media
News
External Relationships
External Relationships
Relationships and collaborations with for-profit and not-for profit organizations are of vital importance to our faculty because these exchanges of scientific information foster innovation. As experts in their fields, WCM physicians and scientists are sought after by many organizations to consult and educate. WCM and its faculty make this information available to the public, thus creating a transparent environment.
No External Relationships Reported