About Dr. Goel
Precision, judgment, and comprehensive neurosurgical care.
Dr. Gunjan Goel is a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon whose work brings together comprehensive spine care, advanced skull base training, and a patient-centered approach to complex neurosurgical decisions.
Beginning in July 2026, she will join the faculty as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery at UPMC, providing care at UPMC East, UPMC Presbyterian, and the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Her practice is anchored in the surgical management of spinal disorders, deeply informed by her foundational expertise in complex cranial and skull base neurosurgery.
Board Certified
American Board of Neurological Surgery
Residency
UC San Diego Neurological Surgery
Fellowship Training
Weill Cornell Skull Base and Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery
Recognition
San Diego Top Doctor and two-time Sharp Guardian Angel Honoree
A practice grounded in anatomical precision and patient-centered care.
Dr. Goel treats neurosurgical disease with a broad view of the patient, not only the scan. Her clinical interests include degenerative and traumatic spine conditions, spinal tumors, brain and skull base tumors, pituitary disease, trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, and related cranial disorders.
Neurosurgery requires more than technical exactitude; it demands a profound respect for the nervous system and the individual it sustains. Dr. Goel approaches surgical intervention not as a first resort, but as a definitive tool when conservative measures have been exhausted and anatomical correction offers a clear path to improved quality of life. Her recommendations are guided by evidence, tempered by judgment, and tailored to the unique goals of each patient.
Before joining UPMC, Dr. Goel practiced in San Diego and Miami, including serving as Medical Director of Brain and Spine Neurosurgery at HCA Mercy Hospital. That leadership experience informs a practical, collaborative style of care for patients, families, and referring clinicians.
"Exceptional neurosurgical care begins with listening."
Patients facing neurosurgical disease often arrive with anxiety, uncertainty, and difficult choices. Dr. Goel's goal is to help patients understand the diagnosis, the available options, and the reasoning behind any recommended treatment.
Education and Training
Academic Background & Surgical Training
Dr. Goel’s surgical philosophy is rooted in a rigorous academic and clinical foundation.
University of California, Berkeley
BA in Psychology, a foundation that supports her emphasis on communication, patient experience, and shared decision-making.
Wayne State University School of Medicine
MD with Distinction, Alpha Omega Alpha membership, and Distinction in Biomedical Research.
University of California, San Diego
Neurological surgery residency, with advanced clinical training across spine, cranial, trauma, and complex neurosurgical care.
Weill Cornell Medicine
Fellowship training in skull base microneurosurgery and minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery.
Board Certification
Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery.
Leadership and Academic Work
Clinical leadership and patient-centered care.
Throughout her career, Dr. Goel has maintained a commitment to advancing neurosurgical knowledge. Her scholarship includes peer-reviewed publications, national and international presentations, and textbook chapters covering complex surgical approaches—ranging from endoscopic endonasal resections of skull base tumors to transcallosal approaches for intraventricular lesions. She remains dedicated to the integration of clinical research and surgical education.
Leadership
Medical Director, Brain and Spine Neurosurgery
Before joining UPMC, Dr. Goel served as Medical Director of Brain and Spine Neurosurgery at HCA Mercy Hospital in Miami, following several years of attending neurosurgical practice in San Diego.
Recognition
Honors that reflect both excellence and patient trust
Her recognitions include San Diego Top Doctor, two Sharp Guardian Angel awards given by patients, Alpha Omega Alpha membership, and graduation with distinction from Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Connect with Dr. Goel
Information regarding clinical appointments and provider referrals.
Please note: Dr. Goel will begin seeing patients across the UPMC system in July 2026. Official scheduling, referral pathways, and clinic contact information will be posted when available. For medical emergencies, please call 911 or seek immediate emergency care.