Rizwan Ahmad Tahir, MD| Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery | MedStar Health
About me
Rizwan Ahmad Tahir, MD, joins MedStar Health as a neurosurgeon for the department of Neurosurgery. He is a specialist in cerebrovascular disorders and neurosurgery. Dr. Tahir is a compassionate and caring physician who works collaboratively with his patients to achieve the best outcomes.
As the recipient of several academic honors and awards, Dr. Tahir has published 20 peer-reviewed articles. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. His research interest includes cerebral vascular and endovascular neurosurgery–specifically as it pertains to stroke and vascular malformations and aneurysms.
Dr. Tahir earned his medical degree at Wayne State University in Detroit and completed his residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He completed his fellowship in Cerebrovascular at the University of Illinois in Chicago and his fellowship in Endovascular Neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Philosophy of care
Dr. Tahir believes the surgeon and patient relationship should be built on a foundation of trust and transparency to achieve the best outcomes.
“I work closely with my patients and take a very personalized approach. I encourage my patients to ask as many questions as they need to understand their options and make decisions that are right for them—it is critical that they are actively involved in the decision-making process. Together, we collaborate on creating a treatment plan, making sure to incorporate the patient’s wishes and goals.”
When not practicing medicine, Dr. Tahir enjoys spending time with his wife, a headache neurologist at MedStar Health, and their two children. He enjoys playing basketball and football, exercising, good food, and travel. He is also committed to volunteering for global health and disaster relief efforts.
Dr. Tahir sees patients at Medstar Washington Hospital Center.
Clinical areas of focus
- Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
- Bleeding In Brain
- Brain Tumor
- Hydrocephalus
- Laminectomy
- Parotid Biopsy
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abscess Of The Brain
- Aneurysm
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
- Benign Essential Tremor
- Benign Neoplasm Of Brain And Central Nervous System
- Benign Tumor
- Bleeding In Brain
- Blindness And Low Vision
- Bone Discontinuity
- Brain Aneurysm
- Brain Disorders
- Brain Tumor
- Carotid Stenosis
- Cerebral Edema
- Cerebral Vasospasm
- Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
- Cerebrovascular Diseases
- Cervical Herniated Disc
- Chiari Malformation
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Congenital Hydrocephalus
- Congenital Malformations Of Peripheral Vascular System
- Congenital Malformations Of Skull And Face Bones
- Congenital Musculoskeletal Deformities Of Head, Face, Spine And Chest
- Craniopharyngioma
- Cutaneous Abscess
- Deep Brain Stimulation
- Deforming Dorsopathies
- Dorsalgia
- Epidural Hematoma
- Epilepsy
- Fractures Of The Neck
- Hand And Wrist Fracture
- Head Injury
- Hemangioma
- Hydrocephalus
- Inflammatory Spondylopathies
- Intervertebral Disc Disorders
- Intracerebral Hemorrhage
- Intracranial Aneurysm
- Intraspinal Granuloma
- Lumbar Disc Disease
- Lumbar Spine Fracture
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Meninges
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Spinal Cord
- Meningioma
- Migraine
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscle Disorders
- Musculoskeletal System Complications
- Neck Fracture
- Neck Nerve And Spinal Cord Injury
- Neck Sprain
- Neoplasm Of Uncertain Behavior
- Nerve Root Disorders
- Nervous And Musculoskeletal Symptoms
- Nervous System Disorders
- Neurofibromas
- Neurofibromatosis
- Nontraumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
- Omphalocele
- Paralytic Syndrome
- Parkinson's Disease
- Peripheral Nerve Damage
- Pituitary Adenoma
- Scoliosis
- Secondary Malignant Neoplasm Of Brain
- Skull Base Tumor
- Skull Fractures
- Spinal Cord Diseases
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Spinal Schwannoma
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spine Tumor
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylopathies
- Spondylosis
- Syringomyelia
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Vascular Malformations Of The Brain
- Vertebral Fractures
Procedures I perform
- Bifrontal Craniectomy
- Brain Angioplasty
- Central Nervous Electrical Activity Monitoring
- Cerebellar Hemorrhage Evacuation
- Cerebral Hemisphere Excision
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt Revision
- Cervical Nerve Release
- Cervical Spinal Cord Release
- Cervical Vertebral Disc Excision
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
- Cranial Nerve Neurostimulator Electrode Array And Pulse Generator Implantation
- Craniectomy For Hematoma
- Craniectomy For Hematoma Evacuation
- Cranioplasty
- Deep Brain Stimulation
- Dura Mater Supplement
- Electroencephalogram
- Electroencephalogram Review
- Endovascular Intracranial Prolonged Administration Of Pharmacologic Agent
- Excision Of Cerebral Ventricle
- Excision Of Skull
- Extirpation Of Right Femoral Vein
- Fluoroscopy Bilateral Common Carotid Arteries
- Fluoroscopy Of Bilateral Common Carotid Arteries Using Other Contrast Agent
- Foot Subcutaneous Tissue Diagnostic Drainage
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Iliopopliteal Bypass
- Incision And Drainage Of Abscess
- Internal Jugular Central Line Placement
- Intracranial Artery Restriction
- Intracranial Subdural Space Drainage
- Intravenous (IV) Fluids
- Laminectomy
- Laminotomy
- Lumbar Laminectomy
- Lumbar Laminectomy And Fusion
- Lumbar Nerve Release
- Lumbar Vertebral Disc Excision
- Lumboperitoneal Shunt
- Lumbosacral Disc Excision
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Metacarpal Joint Arthrodesis
- Microsurgical Procedures
- Occlusion Intracranial Artery
- Occlusion Left External Iliac Artery
- Open Brain Release
- Orbitocranial Approach To Anterior Cranial Fossa
- Papilledema And Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
- Parkinson's Disease
- Parotid Biopsy
- Pathology Consultation
- Pressure Flow Study
- Removal Of Bone Flap
- Resection Of Thoracic Vertebral Disc
- Sacral Nerve Release
- Spinal Fusion
- Spinal Reconstruction Surgery
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy For Brain Tumors
- Stereotactic Spinal Procedure
- Subclavian Artery Extirpation
- Supratentorial Hematoma Evacuation
- Thoracic Aorta Fluoroscopy
- Thoracic Aorta To Carotid Artery Bypass With Synthetic Substitute
- Thoracic Laminectomy
- Thoracic Nerve Release
- Twist Drill Hole With Ventricular Catheter
- Unlisted Male Genital System Procedure
- Upper Artery Synthetic Substitute Removal
- Venous Access Device Removal
- Vestibular Nerve Tumor Surgery
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- IH-EPO Plus
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- CareFirst Administrators
- IH-HMO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- TRICARE East Prime
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- United Healthcare Choice
- CIGNA EPO
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- IH-Open HMO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- TRICARE for Life East
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- HealthyBlue PPO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Choice Fund PPO
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Medicare Direct
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Navigate
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna HMO
- IH-Indemnity
- IH-POS
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Choice POS II
- Optimum Choice
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- TRICARE East Select
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- UHC Passport
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Choice POS
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Aetna Classic 3500
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Network OA
- Aetna Classic 5000
- United Student Resources
- HighMark
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CareFirst NASCO
- POS OA
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Medicare FFS
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Tricare Reserve Select
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- IH-PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Employee Health Plan
- IH-POS Plus
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- IH-Open POS II
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Sentara Health
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Core Essential (HMO)
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- OA Plus
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- First Health PPO
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- IH-Network Only Plus
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- CIGNA PPO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Beech Street PPO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- CareFirst EPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Neurological Surgery, Neurological Surgery
Fellowship: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medical (2022)
Fellowship: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Jefferson Health (2021)
Residency: Henry Ford Hospital (2020)
Medical School: Wayne State University (2013)