Walavan Sivakumar, MD
Torrance, CA 90503
Pacific Neuroscience Institute
5215 Torrance Boulevard, Suite 300, Torrance, CA 90503
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About Walavan Sivakumar
Walavan Sivakumar, M.D., is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive and endoscopic neurosurgery. With expertise in brain and skull-base tumors, pituitary/parasellar tumors, and intra-ventricular brain tumors, he utilizes advanced neuroimaging and microsurgical techniques to minimize collateral damage to the brain.
Dr. Sivakumar has over 40 peer-reviewed publications. A local and national level speaker, he has received numerous awards for research in cranial surgery and tumor biology. Award highlights include the William H. Sweet Award from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Stryker Neuro-Oncology Award from the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and best research awards from the Rocky Mountain Neurosurgical Society and Western Neurosurgical Society. His current research focuses on brain tumor biology and skull base surgery outcomes. He currently serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Neurosurgery and is on the editorial board of Frontiers in Neurology and Oncology.
A Los Angeles native, Dr. Sivakumar completed his undergraduate studies in Neuroscience at UCLA. He attained his MD with distinction from USC, being elected to the Skull and Dagger All University Honor Society and Order of Arete, the highest honor given to a USC graduate student. During medical school, he served as student body president and was awarded the National Leadership Award by the American Medical Association (AMA).
He completed his residency training in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah under the guidance of Dr. William Couldwell, former president of the AANS. He completed his fellowship in Endoscopic Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery and Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery with Dr. Daniel Kelly at the Saint John’s Cancer Institute in 2016.
Dr. Sivakumar is an active member of the AANS and CNS, currently serving on the national Young Neurosurgeons Committee and executive committee of the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors. He has a deep interest in neurosurgical trainee education, having served on the national Liaison Committee on Medical Education and is involved in the Clinical/Research Neurosurgical Fellowship at the Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
USC Keck School of Medicine - Los Angeles, CA
2010
University of Utah Hospital - Salt Lake City, UT
2011
University of Utah Hospital - Salt Lake City, UT
2017
John Wayne Cancer Institute - Santa Monica, CA
2016
Committees:
- Member, AANS Young Neurosurgeons Committee 2014 - Present
- Member Congress of Neurological Surgeons - CNS
- Member American Association of Neurological Surgeons - AANS
- American Board of Neurological Surgery, Neurological Surgery
- American Board of Neurological Surg, Neurological Surgery
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Community Reviews
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I was treated with compassion and respect
Providence Patient
Good job by all
Providence Patient
Good company.
Providence Patient
Dr. Sivakumar is an outstanding doctor! He cares for his patients and their families. He has been thorough and patient when explaining after surgery results to me and my family. I appreciate his professionalism and knowledge in his field. Being under is his care has been a positive experience!
Providence Patient
As a new patient, I found this to be an extremely well oiled machine with great people. The staff went out of their way to help me and kept me apprised of any changes or where we were at. Everyone was A+
Providence Patient
Dr Sivakumar is excellent!
Providence Patient