
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Infant 0-2
- Child 3-12
- Adolescent 13-17
- Young Adult 18-25
- Adult 26-64
- Older Adult 65+
Languages
- Spanish
- English
In-Network Plans
View All Accepted Plans (12)Gender
MaleJohns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Rafael J. Tamargo
Physician’s Office Phone
410-614-1533
Professional Titles
- Walter E. Dandy Professor of Neurosurgery
- Director, Division of Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery
- Vice-Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery
- Neurosurgical Co-Director, Neurosciences Critical Care Unit
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Neurological Surgery
Johns Hopkins Physician
Background
Dr. Tamargo specializes in the treatment of aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), and cavernous malformations of the brain and spinal cord in both adults and children.
Dr. Tamargo specializes in revascularization procedures for moyamoya disease. For this condition, Dr. Tamargo performs either a microsurgical encephaloduroarteriomyosynangiosis (EDAMS) or a microsurgical extracranial-to-intracranial artery bypass.
Dr. Tamargo also specializes in the treatment of acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas).
A recipient of numerous honors and awards, some of Dr. Tamargo's most recent accolades include the Neurosurgery Faculty Teaching Award and the Hopkins Richard S. Ross Clinician Scientist Award.
Centers and Institutes
Videos
Recent News Articles and Media Coverage
Recorded Webinar: Latest Treatment Options for Brain Aneurysms
Recorded Webinar: Acoustic Neuromas: Diagnosis and Treatment
Press release: Tests In Mice Identify Compound That May Keep Survivors of Ruptured Brain Aneurysms From Later Succumbing to Stroke (10/01/2013)
A New Da Vinci Code? Divine Proportion Found in Human Skulls, Psychology Today (October 1, 2019)
Additional Academic Titles
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Lab Website
Vascular Neurology Lab - Lab Website
- Vascular research led by Rafael Tamargo, M.D., the Walter E. Dandy Professor of Neurosurgery, explores treatment of aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, cavernous malformations, and arteriovenous fistulas of the brain and spinal cord. Basic science research has focused on endothelial cell-leukocyte interactions (inflammation) after subarachnoid hemorrhage and identifying drugs that might inhibit this inflammatory response as well as the narrowing of blood vessels.
Google Scholar - Publications
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=rafael+tamargo&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C21&as_sdtp=
PubMed - Publications
Selected Publications
- Kanagalingam, S., P. Gailloud, R. J. Tamargo, P. S. Subramanian, and N. R. Miller. Visual sequelae after consensus-based treatment of ophthalmic artery segment aneurysms: The Johns Hopkins Experience. Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology 32: 27-32, 2012.
Wicks, Robert T., G. Pradilla, S. M. Raza, U. Hadelsburg, A. C. Coon, J. Huang, and R. J. Tamargo. Impact of changes in intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials on stroke rates after clipping of intracranial aneurysms. Neurosurgery 70: 1114-1124, May 2012.
Starmer, H. M., S. R. Best, Y. Agrawal, W. W. Chien, A. T. Hilllel, H. W. Francis, R. J. Tamargo, and L. M. Akst. Prevalence, characteristics, and management of swallowing Tamargo CV - 1 5 disorders following cerebellopontine angle surgery. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 146: 419-425, 2012.
Pradilla, G., T. Garzon-Muvdi, J. J. Ruzevick, M. Bender, L. Edwards, E. N. Momin, R. C. Thompson, and R. J. Tamargo. Systemic L-citrulline prevents cerebral vasospasm in haptoglobin 2-2 transgenic mice after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Neurosurgery 70: 747-757, March 2012.
Colby, G. P., A. R. Paul, M. G. Radvany, D. Gandhi, P. Gailloud, J. Huang, R. J. Tamargo, and A. L. Coon. A single center comparison of coiling versus stent assisted coiling in 90 consecutive paraophthalmic region aneurysms. J Neurointerv Surg 4: 116-120, March 2012.
Coon, A. L., A. R. Paul, G. P. Colby, L. Lin, G. Pradilla, J. Huang, and R. J. Tamargo. Comparison of tertiary-center aneurysm location frequencies in 400 consecutive cases: Decreasing incidence of posterior communicating artery region aneurysms. Surgical Neurology International 2(4): 152, July-August 2011.
Shan, X., I. Hamasaki, J. Tian, H. S. Ying, R. J. Tamargo, and D. S. Zee. Vertical alignment in monkeys with unilateral IV section: effects of prolonged monocular patching and trigeminal deafferentation. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1233: 7884, 2011.
Rivas, A., K. D. Boahene, H. C. Bravo, M. Tan, R. J. Tamargo, and H. W. Francis. A model for early prediction of facial nerve recovery after vestibular schwannoma surgery. Otol Neurotol. 32(5): 826-833, July 2011.
Walker, M. F., J. Tian, X. Shan, R. J. Tamargo, H. Ying, and D. S. Zee. The cerebellar nodulus/uvula integrates otolith signals for the translational vestibulo-ocular reflex. PLoS ONE 5(11): e13981, 2010.
Paul, A. R., G. P. Colby, M. R. Radvany, J. Huang, R. J. Tamargo, and A. L. Coon. Femoral access in 100 consecutive subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: The craniotomy of endovascular neurosurgery. BMC Research Notes. 3: 285, 2010.
Alvernia, J. E., G. Pradilla, P. Mertens, G. Lanzino, and R. J. Tamargo. Latex injection of cadaver heads: Technical note. Neurosurgery / Operative Neurosurgery Supplement 2 67: 362-367, 2010.
Honors
- Harold Lamport Research Scholar Award for Involvement of the Haptoglobin Gene Locus in the Formation of Extracranial Aneurysms (senior author and sponsor of Jacob Ruzevick), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 12/1/12
- Paul Ehrlich Research Award (senior author and sponsor of Eric N. Momin) 32nd Young Investigator's Day Award, Vernon B. Mountcastle Auditorium, Preclinical Teaching Building, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 4/1/09
- Mordecai Y. T. Globus New Investigator Award for Stroke Abstract (senior author and sponsor of Dr. Michael T. Froehler), International Stroke Conference 2009, San Diego, California, 2/1/09
- Professional Achievement Recognition Transforming Influences The Johns Hopkins Campaign: Knowledge for the World Gala Dinner, Ralph S. O'Connor Recreation Center, Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus, 10/1/06
- Walter E. Dandy, M.D., Professorship/Chair, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 11/1/04
- Walter E Dandy, M.D., Guest Lecturer, Department of Neurosurgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 11/1/04
- Galbraith Award for Best Abstract Submission by a Resident on Cerebrovascular Disease (senior author and sponsor of Dr. Richard E. Clatterbuck), 52nd Annual Meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 9/1/02
Memberships
- American Academy of Neurological Surgery (AAcNS)
- Society of Neurological Surgeons (SNS)
- Neurosurgical Society of America (NSA)
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
- Congress of neurological Surgeons (CNS)
Locations
- Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center
- 601 North Caroline Street, Floor 5, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Get Directions
- phone: 410-955-6406
- fax: 410-955-6402
Expertise
Education
- Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Neurological Surgery, 1991
- Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Neurological Surgery, 1988
- Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Neurological Surgery, 1987
- Medical Education: Columbia University in the City of New York, Medicine, MD, 1984
Board Certifications
- Neurological Surgery: American Board of Neurological Surgery, 1995
Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
61 ratings, 27 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/18/2026
Wonderful personality ! Friendly, pleasant and professional !
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/13/2026
Dr. Tamargo is as compassionate and caring as he is intelligent and knowledgeable.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/11/2026
Nice man. Makes patient feel comfortable.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/9/2026
Dr Tamargo is one of the best physicians I have ever seen. He is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in his field. I would definitely recommend him to someone I know.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/27/2026
Dr Tamargo was very pleasant & explained my issue very clearly
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/16/2026
Very kind , approachable and explains things well
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/4/2026
Dr Tamargo is amazing in every way. His competence and humanity are outstanding. I feel so fortunate to be under his care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/21/2026
Dr. Tamargo was very informative and explained in detail my condition and how he was going to solve with surgery.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/5/2026
Great doctor, dazzling visit
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2025
Dr. Tamargo was kind, thoughtful, curious and most importantly, confident and clear in his recommended treatment plan. He made me feel at peace about a difficult and scary health situation.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/17/2025
Dr. Tamargo is an amazing physician. Incredibly competent and kind. I feel blessed to be under his care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/5/2025
Dr. Tamargo made me feel comfortable and confident about both the treatment I will receive and the probable outcomes.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/29/2025
I traveled from New Smyrna Beach, Florida just to see this provider.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/27/2025
Dr. Tamargo is very kind and easy to talk to you. He explained things in terms that were clear and understandable. I am very happy and feel safe and cared for in his care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/17/2025
Doctor tamargo was running late The day of my visit But I understand that he was meeting with patients and discussing surgeries, etc..
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/17/2025
Dr Tamargo is always consistent, caring and exceptional.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/15/2025
most amazing Doctor that I was ever treated by
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/3/2025
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/17/2025
Dr. Tamargo is outstanding. He listens, answers questions, explains, illustrates through drawings, and shows compassion.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/15/2025
Dr Tamargo saved my life and I will be forever grateful for his care and support throughout this difficult journey
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/11/2025
Excellent service and experience in all departmentsSo much coordinationDr Tamargo explained me every doubt I had
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/27/2025
Facility has consistently provided me with quality healthcare
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/25/2025
Very knowledgeable very helpful.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/16/2025
Very good. Very nice.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/13/2025
I have been seeing Dr Tamargo for a few years now. He is very thorough, easy to talk to and has helped me make good decisions regarding my care and treatment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/11/2025
He was a great doctor great communicator We love this doctor
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/18/2025
i've been to many providers in my life, but I have never Been to one as caring and as talented as Dr. Tamargo