USF Health Department of Neurosurgery

Dr. Haas is a board-eligible neurosurgeon who specializes in spinal pain and disorders. Trained in all aspects of brain and spine surgery, Dr. Haas has a particular focus on treatment of back and neck pain, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and herniated discs. Dr. Haas received his MD from the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Medicine. After completing his residency training at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, he joined the USF Health Department of Neurosurgery team as an expert physician. Dr. Haas is committed to excellence in patient care, research, and education. He collaborates with a well-trained multidisciplinary team, which includes nurse practitioners, physical therapists and pain management physicians to help deliver the best care for his patients. In addition to providing high quality, compassionate care at USF Health, Dr. Haas is also a physician at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, caring for those who served in our nation's military and training the next generation of neurosurgeons.

I graduated from the University of Toronto in 1999 with a Bachelor's of Science (Honours) specializing in Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology, including a minor in Bioethics. Subsequently, I defended a PhD investigating the molecular and cellular factors underlying the pathophysiology of mood and psychotic disorders under the supervision of Dr. L. Trevor Young. Upon the successful completion of my doctoral studies, I began my training in medicine at the University of Toronto. While working towards my medical degree, I conceived of and completed a project under Dr. Andres Lozano's supervision exploring the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on cellular morphology. In 2010, I was accepted into the Neurosurgery residency training program at the University of Calgary, Alberta, where I worked with Dr. Zelma Kiss as a post-doctoral fellow investigating chronic pallidal DBS-induced neuroplasticity. Concurrently, I designed and executed a number of clinical studies which are also being prepared for publication, including an analysis of the long-term outcomes of GPi-DBS for cervical dystonia and a comparison of neuropsychological changes in patients undergoing GPi- or STN-DBS for PD. Upon the successful completion of my Neurosurgery board examinations, I was inducted as a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. I then completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery and Epilepsy Surgery at Emory University with Drs. Robert E. Gross, Jon T. Willie, and Nicholas M. Boulis. Over the course of this fellowship, I was involved in clinical studies assessing the accuracy and efficacy of stereotactic laser amygdalohippocampotomy for epilepsy, and conducted clinical studies on the accuracy and clinical outcomes of awake vs. asleep DBS.

In my capacity as Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of South Florida's Morsani School of Medicine, my clinical and research focus is on Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Surgery, and Peripheral Nerve Surgery. In this capacity, I am excited by the opportunity to expand the care received by patients suffering from movement, psychiatric, epilepsy, pain, and peripheral nerve disorders.

As an expert on the USF Health Department of Neurosurgery team, Dr. Hayman provides the most advanced spine care and surgical techniques to patients in the region's only academic medical center. Dr. Hayman joined USF Health after completing his complex and minimally invasive spine surgery fellowship at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute in Seattle, Washington. He completed his residency training at the University of Maryland and received his MD from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is a board-eligible neurosurgeon and is licensed in the states of Florida and Washington. Dr. Hayman has a significant research portfolio and maintains a research interest in secondary injury mechanisms after central nervous system (CNS) injury. During his time at the University of Colorado, he was awarded a prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellowship to pursue a dedicated year of tumor immunology research at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. He has published over 15 peer reviewed research articles and authored multiple book chapters on brain and spine conditions. Dr. Hayman will continue his research endeavors at USF Health by working closely with the USF Health Center for Aging and Brain Repair, collaborating on key research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Trained in all aspects of brain and spine surgery, Dr. Hayman has a particular focus in disorders of the spine requiring complex reconstructive procedures, including thoracolumbar scoliosis, revision spinal surgery, and cervical kyphosis. He has additional clinical interests in motion preserving surgery and minimally invasive procedures.

As a neurosurgeon-scientist, Dr. Voce's research is focused on the mechanisms by which specific master regulators induce mesenchymal transformation in glioblastoma as a prerequisite to improving the treatment of glioma patients. He has a broad scientific background that encompasses basic biochemistry and molecular and cancer biology, and also includes rigorous clinical training. Dr. Voce is a practicing neurosurgeon with a specific clinical interest in the treatment of malignant glioma and, therefore, he has routine interaction with the patients directly affected by his research.

Endoscopy enables spine surgeries with quarter-inch incisions, resulting in less trauma to muscles and ligaments. As a result, patients benefit from quicker recovery in outpatient settings. Most disc herniations can now be treated without the need for drilling into the bony elements.

My path to becoming a spine surgeon started during a time marked by complications like infections and spinal instability, even for minor procedures. I concentrated on refining minimally invasive techniques, employing tools like tubular retractors and microscopes, which are currently gaining recognition.

During my residency, I suffered from an L5/S1 herniated disc, which led me to explore even less invasive approaches, such as endoscopy. Learning from pioneers around the world, I subsequently dedicated my fellowship to mastering these techniques.

To the best of my knowledge, I am the sole fellowship-trained endoscopic spine surgeon in the region and am thrilled to introduce this cutting-edge technology to the Tampa area.

To provide the most advanced, effective and compassionate care to my patients. To bring answers to questions in the field of brain tumors and vascular neurosurgery. To pass along my knowledge and expertise to the next generation of neurosurgeons.

I am a Vascular Neurologist which is a procedural subspecialty of Neurology.

I treat patients in a manner I would like to be treated and believe that educating patients is critical for their understanding of their health and the treatments that may be needed.
As a Neuroendovascular Surgeon, I perform catheter angiography, embolization, embolectomy, angioplasty, stenting and interventional treatments and provide care for patients with aneurysm, AVM, ischemic stroke, brain injury and concussion.
I earned my medical degree at the University of South Florida College of Medicine and completed both my residency in Neurology at the University of Florida Shands Hospital. I then went on to complete a Vascular Neurology and Research Fellowship at the University of Texas Houston Health Science Center and a Neuroendovascular Surgery Fellowship at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. I am board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - General Neurology and Vascular Neurology and completed my Neuroendovascular Surgery Fellowship in a CAST Accredited program.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, running, and going to the movies.

Dr. Kunal Vakharia is a distinguished neurosurgeon at the University of South Florida, specializing in skull base surgery, pituitary tumors, cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, and complex neurological conditions. His areas of interest are aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, brain tumors, pituitary tumors, meningiomas, and acoustic neuromas. He has a strong commitment to advancing the field of neurosurgery and optimizing patient outcomes. His work integrates clinical excellence with cutting-edge research.
He holds leadership roles in professional organizations such as the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and North American Skull Base Society. Dr. Vakharia is dedicated to improving patient outcomes while driving innovation in neurosurgical practices.

Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a syndrome with gait disturbance,cognitive impairment, and urinary symptoms that frequently resemble other disorders seen in the elderly such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The prevalence of iNPH is reported to be 0.5% to 2.9% in the elderly. 70 to 80 % of patients diagnosed with iNPH improve with. ventricular shunting. The USF Hydrocephalus Clinic strives to improve patient selection and outcomes of patients with iNPH.

Providing my patients with the best possible outcome for their individual medical needs is my goal. I am a firm believer that surgery, when used judiciously, can accomplish great things, but that surgery should only be performed when it has been determined that it is the best option available for them.

In addition to patient care, I have been involved in the training of neurosurgeons throughout my medical career. My book, "Handbook of Neurosurgery" is has been released in its 10th edition, and is one of the most widely used books in neurosurgery. I am very proud of this accomplishment, and feel that the study and research that goes into this book, adds to how I evaluate and care for my patients.