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Hooshang Pak, MD, FACS, is a board-certified neurosurgeon at Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California. 

A graduate of Tehran University, Dr. Pak began his postgraduate training in New York City, where he completed his surgical internship at Saint Vincent Medical Center of Staten Island. He then moved to Michigan and undertook a neurosurgery residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He also completed a year of fellowship training in microneurosurgery of cerebral vascular diseases under the supervision of James Ausman, MD, PhD.

Dr. Pak has been a diplomat of the American Board of Neurological Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has published numerous scientific papers in neurosurgical journals and textbooks and presented papers and scientific exhibits at national and international medical meetings. Dr. Pak has also been a member of the editorial board of the international neurosurgical journal, Surgical Neurology.

Dr. Pak has been selected by his peers since 1996 as one of The Best Doctors in America, a list that contains the top five percent of the American doctors.

Sheri Palejwala, MD, FAANS, is a board-certified neurosurgeon at Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California. 

Born and raised in Los Angeles County, Dr. Palejwala completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, with degrees in neuroscience and biology. She obtained her medical degree at St. Louis University in Missouri, and completed her neurosurgical training at the University of Arizona in Tucson. There, she spent her last years serving as Chief Resident of Neurosurgery followed by a fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, focusing on translational and clinical research. Dr. Palejwala has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and has presented her findings at meetings worldwide.

Dr. Palejwala then completed an additional fellowship in endoscopic, minimally-invasive surgical neuro-oncology at the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California. There, she focused on minimally-invasive microsurgical and endoscopic approaches and incorporating innovative technology and techniques into her practice.  Her clinical interests include endoscopic, keyhole, and other minimally-invasive approaches to tumors of the pituitary and skull base. 

She is a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and an active member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), the joint tumor section of the AANS/CNS, and the North American Skull Base Society. Outside of neurosurgery, Dr. Palejwala dedicates her time to her family, including her husband and twin daughters, and large extended family.

Dr. Palejwala looks forward to welcoming new and returning patients to Coast Neurosurgical Associates. 

Catherine Peterson, MD, is an endovascular-trained neurosurgeon with advanced expertise in minimally invasive brain and spine procedures. At Inland Neurosurgery Institute, a practice with locations in Pomona and Arcadia, California, Dr. Peterson brings a deep commitment to patient-centered care and innovative neurovascular treatment strategies.

Originally from Moldova, Dr. Peterson immigrated to the U.S. in childhood, where she cultivated a strong work ethic and passion for medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with magna cum laude honors from Purdue and her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. She completed her neurosurgery residency at UC Davis and Detroit Medical Center, followed by a competitive endovascular neurosurgery fellowship at UCLA.

Dr. Peterson specializes in both cranial and spinal neurosurgery, with a particular focus on treating stroke, aneurysms, and complex neurovascular conditions through catheter-based techniques. Her research, including multiple peer-reviewed publications and national presentations, centers on improving outcomes in stroke care and understanding cognitive recovery following brain hemorrhage.
Recognized for her academic excellence and compassionate approach, 

Dr. Peterson received the James E. Boggan Award for Scholarly Excellence twice. She believes in a personalized, respectful approach to neurosurgical care and stays active in the field through membership in organizations like the AANS, CNS, and SNIS.

Outside the operating room, Dr. Peterson enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family in California’s outdoors.

Dr. Benjamin Ball grew up in a smaller town within the New York Tri-State area. As a young adult, he moved to Charlottesville, Virginia where he completed a double major in chemistry and biology at the University of Virginia, graduating with high honors. He remained at UVA for medical school, where his pre-clerkship GPA was top five in his class. He then completed his neurosurgical residency at the University of California, Irvine, where he spent a year completing an enfolded skull-base surgery fellowship. His surgical interests include tumors, spine, and trauma. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies, reading science fiction books, attending local comedy shows, and watching UVA Men’s Basketball dominate.

Ramin AmirNovin, MD, FAANS, FCNS (“Dr. A”) is an accomplished neurosurgeon and spinal surgeon at Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) in Pomona, California. Dr. AmirNovin has wanted to be a neurological surgeon since the age of thirteen. While volunteering at the Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California, he witnessed a life-saving craniotomy (brain surgery) on a trauma patient, and this inspired him immensely. He double-majored in chemistry and biochemistry and graduated with the highest distinction of summa cum laude from the University of California, San Diego, where he was part of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

He continued his education in New York City, where he obtained his medical degree with the highest honors (Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and Lucien Rubinstein Award) from New York University Medical School. He completed his general surgery and neurological surgery training at the prestigious Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). He also completed a two-year fellowship program for specialty training in functional/stereotactic neurosurgery at MGH.

Dr. AmirNovin has written several book chapters, numerous articles for peer-reviewed publications, and performed cutting-edge research on brain tumors, movement disorders, pain syndromes, and epilepsy.

Dr. AmirNovin practiced complex general neurosurgery at MGH before moving back to the West Coast to be near his family in 2007. As a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon, he has extensive experience in the treatment of complex spine problems and tumors, brain tumors, cranial-spinal trauma, stroke, movement disorders, complex pain syndromes, Parkinson’s, and peripheral nerve diseases.

Dr. AmirNovin believes that the most important service he provides his patients is a “no-hype, no-gimmick, no-pressure approach to neurosurgery.”   He is highly regarded by his patients and the local physicians for doing the least invasive surgery necessary to restore the patient’s health and functional status. He takes the time to explain the disease process to the patient and explains all of the risks and benefits of their various options for treating them.  Dr. AmirNovin is the Senior Partner at INI.

His patient-centered approach to neurological surgery has gained him numerous clinical recognitions based on patient and colleague reviews. He is rated as a Castle Connolly top doctor for multiple years and is routinely a '5-star' medicare participant.  

In his free time, Dr. AmirNovin enjoys spending time with his family, computer programming, skiing, and dabbling in digital photography.

EDUCATION

• 1996: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry / Biochemistry (Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Highest Honors)
• 2000: Medical Doctorate (MD) from New york University (NYU) Medical School (Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society)
• 2000: General Surgery Internship – Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, MA
• 2001-2006: Neurosurgery Residency at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)
• 2005-2006: Fellowship training in Functional Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School Center for CNS Regeneration (includes Surgery for Parkinsons, Complex pain, Image-Guided Surgery,
• Movement Disorders, and Seizure disorders)
• GAMMA Knife trained and certified 2008.
• Board Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons, 2010

ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

• American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
• Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
• American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ASSFN)

ARTICLES & JOURNALS

• Article: Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN)
• Article: Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery for Parkinson’s Disease
• Article: PubMed.gov Articles