Anthony John Gerard Alastra, MD, FAANS, FACS, CNSENDORFP

Curriculum Vitae (April 2024)

Arrowhead Neurosurgical Medical Group, Inc.

1080 North Indian Canyon Drive, Suite 201.
Palm Springs, CA 92262.
(760) 507-8473 office; (760) 507-8316 fax; (760) 973-8624 efax
Email: a.alastra@anmg-ca.com, alastra1580@gmail.com, alastra1580@yahoo.com,
Website: www.alastra-neurosurgeon.com
Practice Website: www.anmg-ca.com

Academic Appointments
7/1/2023-present: Associate Program Director. Neurosurgery Residency Program. Arrowhead Regional Medical
Center. Colton, CA.
7/1/2023-present: Site Program Director. Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Neurosurgery Residency
Program at Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, CA.
2/1/2023-present: Assistant Professor. California University of Science and Medicine/School of Medicine.
Colton,CA.
1/1/2022-present: Neurosurgery Section Chief. Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, CA.
7/1/2020-present: NIR Fellowship Director. Arrowhead Neurosurgical Medical Group.
5/10/2019-present: Deputy Editor. Contemporary Reviews in Neurology and Neurosurgery. Cureus Journal of
Medical Science Channel 4498. ISSN #2168-8184.
4/1/2019-6/30/2023: Associate Program Director. Neurosurgery Residency Program. Desert Regional Medical
Center, Palm Springs, CA.
4/1/2019-present: Interim Director Spine Surgery. Neurosurgery Residency Program. Desert Regional Medical
Center, Palm Springs, CA.
11/1/2018-6/30/2023: Director Vascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery. Neurosurgery Residency Program.
Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, CA.
9/10/2008-2009: Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery. New York
University School of Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY.
11/01/2004-2008: Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery.
College of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY.

Board Certification/Recognition
American Board of Neurological Surgery, May 2011 (renewal 5-2031) Certificate No. 31001.
American Board of Neurological Surgery, Focused Practice in CNS Endovascular Surgery (RFP), June 1, 2021.
Credential # CNSENDORFP-NS2668387998

Medical Licensure
California: CA1561324 (renewal 02/29/2026)
CA Fluoroscopy X-ray Supervisor & Operator License: RHC000204315 (renewal 11/30/24)
NPI: 1720069438
Past Licenses (voluntarily relinquished/not renewed)
New Jersey: NJ25MA07917400 (2004-2021)
New York: NY217720 (2000-2022)
Education
2002-2004: Chief Resident, Department of Neurological Surgery. Vanderbilt University Medical Center / St.
Thomas Hospital / VA Medical Center, Nashville, TN.
2000-2002: Fellow, Division of Interventional Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology. New York University
Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital Center/Manhattan VA Medical Center, New York, NY.
1998-2000: Resident, Department of Neurological Surgery. Vanderbilt University Medical Center / St. Thomas
Hospital / VA Medical Center, Nashville, TN.
1997-1998: Intern, Department of General Surgery. Vanderbilt University Medical Center / St. Thomas
Hospital / VA Medical Center, Nashville, TN.
1992-1997: Doctor of Medicine, May 18, 1997. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland,
OH. Area of Concentration: Neuroscience.
1988-1992: Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences: Behavioral Biology, May 21,1992. The Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, MD

Employment and Volunteer Work

October 1, 2018-present: Board Certified Neurosurgeon Member:
Arrowhead Neurosurgical Medical Group, Inc.
1080 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Suite 201 26520 Cactus Ave, Suite A-2006
Palm Springs, CA 92262 Moreno Valley, CA 92555
September 2018-present: Owner/President: Anthony Alastra, MD Inc. Palm Desert, CA.
July 2004-Sept 2018: Board Certified Neurosurgeon, Partner: Healthcare Associates in Medicine, PC.
1099 Targee Street. Staten Island, NY
10304
1995-2003: Volunteer interviewer of prospective candidates for undergraduate admission to
The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
1996: Volunteer interviewer of prospective candidates to admission to Case Western Reserve University
School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH.
1992-1997: Research Assistant. MetroHealth Medical Center, Department of Family Medicine,
Cleveland, OH.
1990-1992: Research Technician. Addiction Research Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse,
U.S.D.H.H.S./P.H.S., Baltimore, MD.
1988-1990: Research Assistant. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry,
Division of Behavioral Biology, Baltimore, MD.

Current Hospital Privileges

Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, CA
Riverside University Health System Medical Center, Moreno Valley, CA.
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Colton, CA.
Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, CA
Redlands Community Hospital, Redlands, CA

Past Hospital Privileges

Staten Island University Medical Center, Staten Island, NY
Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, NY

Other Privileges
Golden Springs Surgery Center, Cathedral City, CA (2020-present) No ownership/investment stake.
Cornerstone Surgery Center, Riverside, CA (2023-present) No ownership/investment stake.
El Mirador Surgery Center, Palm Springs, CA (2023-present) No ownership/investment stake.

Boards, Committees, Panels:

2023-Present: Treasurer, DRMC Medical Staff
2023-Present: Member, DRMC Medical Executive Committee
2022-Present: Section Chief (Neurosurgery) DRMC
2020-Present: Member of DRMC Ethics Committee
2019-Present: Member of DRMC Peer Review Committee
2019-Present: Member of DRMC Surgical OR Committee
2019-2021: Member of DRMC Continuing Medical Education Committee

Charitable Organizations
6/1/2022-2/5/2024: Governing Board Member. Neuro Vitality Center, 2800 E. Alejo Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262
2022-Present: Board of Director Member, Arrowhead Neuroscience Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 685, Colton, CA.
92324

Research Publications:
Albano S, Bacani M, Alastra A. (May 22, 2022) Acute Lumbar Schmorl’s Node Following Chiropractic Adjustment.
Cureus 14(5): e25209. doi:10.7759/cureus.25209.
Whitney E, Khan Y R, Alastra A, et al. (September 23, 2020) Contrast Extravasation Post Thrombectomy in
Patients With Acute Cerebral Stroke: A Review and Recommendations for Future Studies. Cureus 12(9): e10616.
doi:10.7759/cureus.10616
Fiani, B, Cathel A, Arshad M, Hadi H, Khan YR, Quadri SA, Alastra AJG, Siddiqi J. Patient Perspectives on
neurosurgery Resident Physicians Participating in Their Care. Cureus 12(2): e6880. Doi:10.7759/cureus.6880
Ho, A, Khan YR, Whitney E, Alastra AJG, Siddiqi J. The Influence of Intraoperative Technology on Neurosurgery
Training. Cureus 11(9): e5769. Doi:10.7759/cureus.5769.
Liu B, Liu S, Alastra AJG, Mahato D, Tayag EC, Cortez VA, Siddiqi J. The 100 Most Cited vs. Most Relevant Articles
in the Journal of Neurosurgery: A Bibliometric Analysis. Cureus 11(4): e4498. doi:10.7759/cureus.4498.
Allen, J.W., A.J.G. Alastra, P.K. Nelson. Proximal Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery Branches: Prevalence and
Importance for Balloon Occlusion Test. 2005. J. Neurosurgery. 102(1). 45-52.
Nelson, P.K., S. M. Russell, H. H. Woo, A.J.G. Alastra, D.V. Vidovich. Use of a Wedged Catheter for Curative
Transarterial Embolization of Complex Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Indications, Endovascular
Technique, and Outcome in 21 Patients. 2003. J. Neurosurgery 98(3): 498-506.
Sannerud, C.A., R.J. Marley, S.L. Serdikoff, A.J.G. Alastra, C. Cohen, S.R. Goldberg. Tolerance to the
Behavioral Effects of Chlordiazepoxide: Pharmacological and Biochemical Selectivity. 1993. J. Pharmacology
& Exp. Therapeutics 267(3): 1311-1320.
Book Chapters
Whitney, E. Alastra, A. Vertebral Fracture. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls
Publishing; 2023 Jan 2023 Apr 3. PMID: 31613453.
Whitney, E. Alastra, A. Neuroanatomy, Decerebrate Rigidity. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island
(FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan 2022 Jul 25. PMID: 31613467.
Orbach, D. Alastra, A. Bose, P.K. Nelson. Neurointerventional Management of Intracranial Aneurysms.
In: Management of Cerebral Aneurysms. P. Le Roux & H.R. Winn, Eds. W.B. Saunders; 1 Ed. 2004. 925-
950.
Case Reports
Reier, L., Mao, C., Hough, J., Pudewa, F., Siddiqi, I., Marino, M., Alastra, A. (October 11,2023) Spontaneous
Intracerebral Hemorrhage Secondary to a Parasagittal Meningioma: A Case Report and Review of the
Literature. Cureus 15(10): e46863. Doi:10.7759/cureus.46863.
Nakhl, F., Chang, E., Shiau, J., Alastra, A., Wrzolek, M., Odaimi, M., Raden, M., Juliano, J. A Patient with
Multiple Synchronous Gliomas of Disctinctly Different Grades and Correlative Radiographic Findings. 2010.
Surgical Neurology International 1(1): 48-52.
Abstracts
Wrzolek, MA, Kozarski, T, Alastra, AJG, Mastrangelo, E, Rosenblum, M. Papillary Tumor of the Pineal Region
with Marked Nuclear Pleomorphism, Non-papillary Pattern, and Focal Oncocytic Features, American
Association of Neuropathologists, Inc. Abstracts of the 85th Annual Meeting June 11-14th, 2009. San
Antonio, Texas. Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology 68(5): 552-593.
Sannerud, C.A., A.J.G. Alastra, P.O. Harger. Contingent Tolerance to Chlordiazepoxide (CDP) in the Rat.
Differential Effects of Benzodiazepine (BZ) and Non-BZ Drugs. 1991. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and
Behavior 39:245.
Invited Lectures, Grand Rounds, Oral Presentations, Podcasts, Poster Presentations
Alastra, A.J.G, Rachel Rose, JD. ‘Mini-Medical School for Lawyers: Preparing experts, appreciating key healthcare
laws, and stepping through neurosurgery procedures, 2024 Edition” Podcast myLawCLE.com. Palm Springs, CA.
November 1, 2023.

Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Neuroplasticity: Implications for Brain Health’ Webinar. Desert Aids Project (DAP) Wellness
Forum. Palm Springs, CA. July 26, 2023.

Siddiqi, A., Reier, L., Berry, J., Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Latin Nomenclature of the CNS Visual Pathways: A Review’ Poster
Presentation: DRMC Resident Research Day. Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, CA. May 24, 2023.

Alastra, A.J.G, Rachel Rose, JD. ‘Mini-Medical School for Lawyers: What attorneys should know about anatomy,
physiology, and injuries and treatment in relation to the law” Podcast myLawCLE.com. Palm Springs, CA. October
28, 2021.

Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Physician-Physician Incivility in the Workplace’ Grand Rounds Resident Quality Lecture. Desert
Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, CA. August 28, 2019.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Spine Clearance in the Trauma Patient’ Grand Rounds Surgery and Emergency Medicine. Staten
Island University Hospital, NY. August 20-21, 2014.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Emerging Technologies in Neurosurgery’ Neuro Core Nursing Education Curriculum.
Staten Island University Hospital. Staten Island, NY. October 20, 2010.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Advances in the Treatment of High-Grade Gliomas’ Neuroscience Multidisciplinary Grand
Rounds Conference. Staten Island University Hospital. Staten Island, New York. January 15, 2009.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Minimally Invasive Spinal Technologies: Kyphoplasty’ Medicine Grand Rounds. Richmond
University Medical Center. Staten Island, NY. June 18, 2008.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Kyphoplasty’ NYSSPA 2007 Annual Conference. Turning Stone Resort. Verona, NY.
October 13, 2007.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Fundamentals in Neurosurgery’ Surgical Grand Rounds Conference. Staten Island
University Hospital. Staten Island, NY. August 17, 2007.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Vascular Malformations’ SIUH Stroke Symposium. Staten Island University Hospital.
Staten Island, NY. March 30, 2007.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Correction of Coagulopathy: A Neurosurgical Perspective.’ Surgical Grand Rounds
Conference. Staten Island University Hospital. Staten Island, NY. November 10, 2005.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Concepts in ICP and Hydrocephalus.’ Surgical Grand Rounds Conference. Staten Island
University Hospital. Staten Island, NY. April 28, 2005.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Current Concepts in Endovascular Neurosurgery.’ Presented at the 2003 Tennessee
Neurosurgical Society Annual Meeting. Nashville, TN. August 23-24, 2003.
Nelson, P.K., D. Vidovich, A. Hecht, H. Woo, T. Kamiryo, S. Russell, A. Alastra. ‘Assessment of Perfusion
Heterogeneities in Patients with Intracranial DAVF Complicated by Cortical Venous Drainage.’ Presented
at 2003 AANS/CNS-ASITN Section Meeting, Phoenix, AZ. February 19, 2003.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Neurosurgery Update: Interventional Neuroradiology.’ Presented at the 2002 Vanderbilt
Meacham Society Annual Meeting. Scottsdale, AZ. Nov. 1-3, 2002.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Neurovascular Anatomy: Anatomic Arterial Variations and Collaterals. Using Embryology to
Understand Patterns.’ Presented at the 2002 Vanderbilt Meacham Society Annual Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ.
November 1-3, 2002.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Transphenoidal Surgical Approach for the Management of Pituitary and Sellar Lesions.’ Presented
at Vanderbilt University Neurosurgical Nursing Grand Rounds, Nashville, TN. November 19, 2002.
Alastra, A.J.G., P.J. Sunenshine, P.K. Nelson. ‘Decussation of Pericallosal Arterial System as Demonstrated by
Cerebral Angiography.’ Presented at 2002 ABC-WIN Meeting, Val d’Isere, France. January 17, 2002.
Alastra, A.J.G. ‘Pathophysiology of Reversible Focal Ischemia.’ Presented at the 1995 Meeting of Medical
Student Fellows, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Bethesda, Maryland. May 8-10, 1995. Abstract
appearing in program of same name, pg. 38.

Teaching Experience
October 2018-present: Neurointerventional Faculty: Desert Regional Medical Center (DRMC)
Director, Neurointerventional Fellowship Training Program. 1150 N Indian Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA
92262.
October 2018-present: Neurosurgical Faculty: Desert Regional Medical Center (DRMC) Neurosurgery
Residency Training Program. 1150 N Indian Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262.
March 2018-Sept 2018: "Stroke Champion" Clinical Instructor and Coordinator for Staten Island
participation in the 'Hip-Hop Stroke Program'. This joint research and educational program between
Columbia University Medical Center and NYS DOH for the statewide dissemination of a school-based
public stroke intervention led by Dr. Olajide Williams. Project Coordinator: Janhavi Mallaiah MBBS, MPH.
710 W 168th St., New York, NY 10032.
March 2016-present: ATLS Instructor, ATLS, ACLS, BLS, PALS certified
July 2004-Sept 2018: Education Coordinator for Neurosurgery Physician Assistants (SIUH, RUMC)
involving recurring lectures, presentations, case reports throughout the year.
2010-2018: Physician Expert Instructor for MAST (Minimal Access Spinal Technologies) courses for
Medtronic Sofamor Danek. Memphis, TN.

Honors and Awards

2021: DRMC Neurological Surgery Residency Teaching Award
2014: Induction into American College of Surgeons (ACS), San Francisco, CA
1994: Howard Hughes Medical Institute/National Institutes of Health. Research Training Fellowship for Medical
Students recipient.
1993: Crile Summer Scholar Grant recipient, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
1992: Curt P. Richter Award in Behavioral Biology, The Johns Hopkins University.
1990: Psi Chi, Psychology Honor Society, The Johns Hopkins University.
1990: Alpha Epsilon Delta, Premedical Honor Society, The Johns Hopkins University.
1988-92: The Beneficial Hodson Trust Scholarship, The Johns Hopkins University.

Professional Memberships
2018-present: Member: California Neurosurgical Society (CANS)
2018-present: Member: California Medical Association (CMA)
2018-present: Member: Riverside County Medical Society (RCMS)
2014-present: Member: American College of Surgeons (ACS)
2014-2018: Member: American College of Surgeons: Brooklyn-Long Island Chapter
2012-present: Member: American Association of Spine Physicians (AASP)
2011-present: Member: AANS Cerebrovascular Section (AANS-CVS)
2009-present: Member, North American Spine Society (NASS)
2008-2018: Member, New York County Medical Society (NYCMS)
2004-2018: Member, Richmond County Medical Society (RCMS)
2004-2018: Member, New York State Medical Society (NYSMS)
2002-present: Member, Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS)
1998-present: Member, American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
1998-present: Member, Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
1992-2010: Member, American Medical Association (AMA)
1992-1997: Member, American Medical Student Association (AMSA)

Research Interests
My interests recently have become focused on:
1) The relationship between biological processes and interactions of CNS with its associated
vascular system.
2) Clinical disease states such as brain AVMs, aneurysms, SAH-induced vasospasm,
intracranial/extracranial stenosis, dural AVF’s, and acute stroke.
3) The continued development and expansion of the field of endovascular neurosurgery. I feel my unique
position as both a traditional and endovascular neurosurgeon allow me to better address and study
clinical research questions regarding the efficacies of both treatment modalities with less bias.
4) Development, dissemination, and research into the use of minimally invasive techniques in
spinal surgery (MISS).
5) Community outreach for the education and rapid identification of stroke. Provider outreach for
the identification of unruptured cerebral aneurysms.
6) Promotion of research metrics and evidence-based approaches in the restructuring of outpatient
clinics (neurosurgery) to better respond to evolving patient, community, third-party payer
government and national standard bodies (CMS/ABNS/AANS/CNS/NASS etc.) reviewers demands
focusing on outcomes measures in neurosurgery practice.

Research Experience
2018-present: Arrowhead Neurosurgical Medical Group, PC / Desert Regional Medical Center
Neurosurgery Residency Program. Current projects include:
1. Demographic Analysis of Intracranial Aneurysms in the Coachella Valley; Impacts for Screening
and Detection.
2. Creation of a childhood and adolescent educational program for the rapid identification of and
activation of emergency services for adult stroke.
3. Retooling the outpatient neurosurgery clinic to automatically collect and track outcomes measures for
research and other purposes.
4. Oversight, review, and sponsorship of resident research projects.
1994-1997: Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland. Department of
Neurological Surgery, Cleveland, OH. Howard Hughes Medical Institute/National Institutes of Health,
Bethesda, Maryland. Project: Pathophysiology of Reversible Focal Ischemia in Cell Cultures of Rat Brain.
Supervisors: W.D. Lust, Ph.D., and W.R. Selman, MD.
1992-1997: Case Western Reserve University, MetroHealth Medical Center. Department of Family
Medicine, Cleveland, OH. Project: The Effect of Family Function on Medical Outcomes in a Geriatric
Population.
Supervisor: James W. Campbell, MD, Director of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Family Medicine.
Summer 1993: Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland. Department of
Neurology, Cleveland, OH. Project: Isolation and Identification of beta- Amyloid-Related in Hypoxic Rat
Hippocampal Slices. Supervisor: Rajesh Kalaria, Ph.D.
1990-1992: Addiction Research Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse. Behavioral Pharmacology and
Genetics Section, Baltimore, MD. Project: Development of Tolerance to the Behavioral Effects of the
Benzodiazepines. Supervisor: Christine A. Sannerud, Ph.D.
1988-1990: The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Department of Psychiatry, Division of
Behavioral Biology, Baltimore, MD. Project: Development of Tolerance to the Behavioral Effects of
Benzodiazepines. Supervisor: Christine A. Sannerud, Ph.D.