Dr. Dr. Brian T. Andrews, MD

Media Releases

Get to know Neurosurgeon Dr. Brian T. Andrews, who serves patients in California.

Dr. Andrews is a nationally recognized neurosurgeon, with a strong focus on utilizing minimally invasive surgical techniques. He has a particular passion for addressing conditions such as spinal stenosis, disc herniations, and brain tumors. 

His professional roles include serving as the Founder of Pacific Neurosurgery, Chairman of the Department of Neurosciences at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) in San Francisco from 2008 to 2022, Co-Founder of the California Pacific Neuroscience Institute (CPNI), attending neurosurgeon at Peninsula Hospital  in Burlingame, California and a Founder of the Neuro-Oncology Tumor Board at CPMC.

Drawing upon his extensive experience and expertise, Dr. Andrews offers personalized treatment options tailored to each individual’s unique needs. He is dedicated to addressing some of the most intricate neurosurgical challenges and providing the highest standard of neurosurgical care, ensuring the well-being of his patients.  Dr. Andrews performs all of his surgical procedures himself, and personally sees each patient before and after surgery as necessary.

Born in Powell River, British Columbia, Dr. Andrews began playing the accordion in restaurants throughout the Bay Area at age 10. He used the tips he earned to pay for his college education at University of Southern California, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1977.

Furthering his medical training, he earned his Medical Degree at the UCSF School of Medicine in 1981, where he also completed his internship and neurosurgical residency under famed neurosurgeon and friend, Dr. Charles Wilson.

Board certified in neurological surgery, the doctor is a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS). The broad aim of the ABNS is to encourage the study, improve the practice and elevate the standards of Pediatric Neurological Surgery, and thereby to advance the cause of public health.

Among his affiliations, Dr. Andrews is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association, and the San Francisco Neurological Society.

Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and surgical treatment, of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and cerebrovascular system. Neurosurgeons are doctors who diagnose and treat problems with the nervous system, often by performing surgery on the brain or spine. They treat strokes, tumors, certain types of birth defects, infections, and head or spinal cord injuries.

A prolific author, Dr. Andrews has penned two captivating fiction novels, “Knife Under Fire” and “The California Mille.” His literary contributions extend beyond fiction, encompassing an insightful autobiography titled “Cherokee Neurosurgeon,” dedicated to his mentor, Dr. Charles Wilson. Additionally, he has authored several medical books, including “Intensive Care in Neurosurgery,” “Neurotrauma,” and “Pediatric Neurosurgical Intensive Care.”

Since 2005, Dr. Andrews has consistently earned recognition as one of the Best Doctors in America. His reputation as a top-tier neurosurgeon has been affirmed by his inclusion among Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors since 2003, and he has also been honored as a leading neurosurgeon by the U.S. News.

Recommended Articles

• What Is a Prefrontal Lobotomy?

  Lobotomy is a neurosurgical procedure invented in 1935 by a Portuguese neurologist named Moniz. Moniz won the Nobel Prize in 1949 for his achievement. It was believed that lobotomy was successful in the treatment of various psychological diseases like depression, bipolar disorders, mania,...

• Scoliosis Pain: Treatment, Management, and Exercises

  Scoliosis is a serious condition that often occurs more in females than in males. The condition itself can be hard to diagnose at the start, which is why the healthcare professional will subject the patient to several tests, including asking them to touch their toes as well as to find out if their...

• Signs You Need to See a Doctor for Back Pain

  There are a number of potential causes of back pain, but most of them are rare. Most cases of back pain, particularly those that go away with or without over-the-counter treatment, do not require a visit to the doctor. However, if your back pain is accompanied by any of the following signs and...

• What Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

  Spinal surgery usually requires that the surgeon makes a relatively huge incision on the patient’s back in order to have complete access to the spinal vertebrae. This is the usual procedure in dealing with defects of the spine, and it has been so because of the delicate nature of the...

• Laminectomy: Reasons for Having One and the Risks It Involves

  What Is a Laminectomy?A laminectomy is a kind of surgery whose aim is to decompress the spinal cord. The lamina (the bone that constitutes spinal‘s vertebral arch) and bone spurs are removed during the operation. Both the lamina and bone spurs can compress your spinal cord leading to:...

• Lobotomies in Other Countries

  What is a lobotomy and why was it used?A lobotomy is a neurosurgical procedure used for the treatment of various psychological conditions, such as severe depression, mania, schizophrenia, etc. It was even used for the treatment of homosexuality.The idea of brain surgery started around 1890, when a...