About

About Me

Payam Toobian is a noted medical doctor and specialist in the field of neurosurgery in New York State. Over a multi-decade career, he has assisted thousands of patients by providing access to lifesaving medical testing and procedures.

His work and research in spinal syringomyelia are awe-inspiring and contributed to new treatment options for the disorder. In his spare time, he supports several local and state charities in New York and the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society.

Current Role and Duties

His career as a neurosurgeon is Toobian's primary occupation. While he maintains an active role in his community and with various volunteer organizations, the healthcare needs of his patients always come first. He still holds the same private practice he started in 2000 and provides amazing continuity of care for patients with chronic healthcare needs.

Within neurosurgery, his expertise is in diagnosing and treating vascular malformation of the brain and spinal cord. Congenital abnormalities, also referred to as malformations, negatively impact the formation of the nervous system as well as function. For many patients, even seemingly minor corrections can lead to massive improvements in quality of life, making research in the field, such as that undertaken by Dr. Payam Toobian, extremely vital.

Career History

Payam Toobian launched his private practice as a neurological surgeon in 2000 and has maintained it for 22 years. The field of neurosurgery is a medical specialty focused on the diagnosis and treatment of patients who have suffered injuries to the brain. For some patients, these are traumatic injuries, but for others, it is a progression of a disease or disorder or the long-term management of a congenital problem — one present from birth.

Toobian believes in the value of neuroradiology imaging for diagnostic and condition management purposes and has conducted research in this area. An additional research focus is the spinal cord and more specifically, syringomyelia.

Syringomyelia is a condition few outsides of the healthcare profession realize exists unless they or a family member receive a diagnosis. A fluid-filled cyst known as a syrinx forms within the spinal cord with syringomyelia. As a syrinx grows, it starts to compress and injure nerves and nerve fibers, eventually damaging the spinal cord. Treatment protocols vary based on the size of the cyst and severity of symptoms and can range from observation to surgery. Payam Toobian participated in noted spinal cord research conducted to develop new treatment options for the condition.

Academic History (or educational background)

Toobian attended the State University of New York, studied medicine from 1990 to 1994 and received his medical degree from the institution. He worked at the Medical School Health Science Center at Brooklyn General Surgery and Cornell Medical Center Neurosurgery.

He completed neurological research with the New England Medical Center and completed a clerkship at the Downstate Medical Center. He is also involved with the United Latino Students Association.

Professional Skills and Experience

While any healthcare professional should always provide care with compassion, the complexities of the field of neurosurgery make offering conscientious and high-quality care even more essential. Dr. Payam Toobian considers it an honor to assist his patients with improving their quality of life and managing chronic conditions.

To do so effectively, he believes in efficient, kind communication regarding procedures and in delivering updates to the patient in the manner required. Some patients with brain and spinal cord injuries can communicate and process information effectively, but others may need additional help based on the injury's severity. Toobian helps these patients focus on recovery and condition management when a full recovery may not be possible due to a long-term loss of function.

Philanthropy and Charitable Involvement

In his spare time, Toobian stays focused on individuals who have been less fortunate and contributes to charities formed in the greater New York metro area to improve the lives of widowed women and orphans. By focusing on individuals who have lost their emotional and monetary support sources, Toobian hopes to prevent a cycle of poverty for the children and ensure they receive access to high-quality education and the additional opportunities it provides in life.

Awards and Recognition

Earlier in his career, Toobian worked at the Downstate Medical Center and was later recognized for his efforts there with the Downstate Surgical Research Award. He is also a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Society membership is both an honor and a commitment as members pledge to lead a life of professionalism, leadership, scholarship, research, and community service. Each medical school selects members, and nominations are limited to 20% of each graduating class with a cap at 25 nominees from students and fellows, 10 from faculty, and three to five from alums. Toobian joined the society in 1994, his graduation year.