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Rafael J. Tamargo

Rafael J. Tamargo, MD

Vascular Neurosurgery

Accepting New Patients

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

Gender

Male

Johns 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

Logo for 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.

Recent News Articles and Media Coverage

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.

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

  1. Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center

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

Please contact the location directly to confirm your health plan is accepted.
Search plans
  • 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 reviews

The 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.

Overall Rating by Patient
Provider Listened Carefully
Provider Explained Things Clearly
Provider Knew Medical History
Provider Showed Respect
Provider Spent Enough Time
Search reviews
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/18/2026

    Wonderful personality ! Friendly, pleasant and professional !

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/13/2026

    Dr. Tamargo is as compassionate and caring as he is intelligent and knowledgeable.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/11/2026

    Nice man. Makes patient feel comfortable.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 2/27/2026

    Dr Tamargo was very pleasant & explained my issue very clearly

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/16/2026

    Very kind , approachable and explains things well

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 1/5/2026

    Great doctor, dazzling visit

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 10/29/2025

    I traveled from New Smyrna Beach, Florida just to see this provider.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 10/17/2025

    Dr Tamargo is always consistent, caring and exceptional.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/15/2025

    most amazing Doctor that I was ever treated by

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/3/2025

    Excellent

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/17/2025

    Dr. Tamargo is outstanding. He listens, answers questions, explains, illustrates through drawings, and shows compassion.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 7/11/2025

    Excellent service and experience in all departmentsSo much coordinationDr Tamargo explained me every doubt I had

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/27/2025

    Facility has consistently provided me with quality healthcare

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/25/2025

    Very knowledgeable very helpful.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/16/2025

    Very good. Very nice.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 6/11/2025

    He was a great doctor great communicator We love this doctor

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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