Meet Dr. Jonathan Brisman and Discover What it Takes to Make New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors” List

One of the essential qualities of the clinician is interest in humanity, for the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient”
— Frances W Peabody, The Care of the Patient

Defining what makes a good doctor is a multi-faceted challenge. Certainly, a good doctor is educated, optimistic and dedicated. A good doctor helps heal people through science and research. A good doctor is knowledgeable, and prepared to give his or her best to patients—not just to save lives but to make patients’ lives as healthy and as comfortable as possible.

Dr. Jonathan Brisman is these things – and more.

So, who is Dr. Jonathan Brisman, and why is he one of only two Long Island-based neurosurgeons chosen for New York Magazine’s 2013 “Best Doctors” list?

About Dr. Jonathan Brisman

Dr. Brisman is a Board Certified Neurosurgeon who specializes in Cerebrovascular and Endovascular conditions, including brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVM), carotid stenosis, and stroke.

He is one of about 100 neurosurgeons in the entire nation trained in both endovascular and micro-neurosurgical techniques, and the first endovascular neurosurgeon on Long Island.  Dr. Brisman was the first neurosurgeon on Long Island to coil a cerebral aneurysm, and the first physician in Nassau County to place an intracranial, FDA-approved stent for artherosclerotic disease.

Currently, Dr. Brisman is Director of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery at both Winthrop-University Hospital and South Nassau Communities Hospital.

Dr. Brisman received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, in History and Science from Harvard University. He received his medical degree from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. He then completed a general surgery internship and neurosurgical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, serving as Chief Neurosurgical Resident in his final year.

The Best Doctor “Process”

New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors” list is compiled by Castle Connolly Medical Limited, a healthcare research and publishing firm established exclusively to identify top doctors. Castle Connolly considers education, residency, board certification, fellowships, hospital affiliation and leadership positions, scholarly appointments and professional reputation as criteria for determining physician rank.

The selection process begins when thousands of board-certified physicians across the United States anonymously nominate physicians who they deem clinically and academically outstanding. Castle Connolly’s physician-led research team then interviews the candidates and investigates their professional records to validate nominations, verify credentials, determine essentially which are the “best of the best,” and ultimately refine the candidate pool.

After a preliminary list is composed, each physician is asked to complete a professional biography form, which becomes an integral part of a selected physician’s listing.

So, What Kind of Doctors Make it Onto the List?

Hint: It takes more than just great medicine.

Dr. Brisman has worked tirelessly to earn the prestigious level he enjoys today in the categories of academics, medical technology and research.  He has published more than 37 articles in peer-reviewed neurosurgery journals on the treatment of vascular/skull base conditions, epilepsy/radiosurgery, and general neurosurgery. He has also written book chapters on Carotid Artery Disease, Intracranial Aneurysms, Arteriovenous Malformation, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, and Vasospasm.

Vascular neurosurgery is Dr. Brisman’s subspecialty – a rare and sought after expertise in our region, as not many of these types of vascular specialists practice in the Long Island area. Dr. Brisman knows that the doctor a patient chooses, and chooses to trust, has a direct correlation with the patient’s outcome. That’s why when one of his patients requires surgery, Dr. Brisman performs the procedure himself; the surgery is never passed along to a medical student or to an associate.

His peers, who nominated Dr. Brisman for the 2013 New York Magazine Best Doctors List, concur: Dr. Brisman’s approach to the complicated work he does in the field of neurosurgery reveals a passion for the people he treats, for healing, and for saving lives. “Helping people, caring for them, saving lives and knowing that you can impact patients in such a positive manner was the driving force behind my decision to practice medicine,” Dr. Brisman says.

What’s more, Dr. Brisman’s personal response to patients is key to his popularity and success. He gives patients and referring doctors access to his cell phone 24/7. When Dr. Brisman is with a patient, he gives complete attention to the personal and medical needs of that patient, and ensures they are made to feel as though there is no one else in the world but them when they are in his office and under his care.

Empowering Patients through Support Groups

Dr. Brisman also runs support groups that provide peer support and that help recovery and outcomes.

The Aneurysm and AVM Support Group offers resources and tools to support patients, survivors and caregivers, giving them all important opportunities to learn more about the condition and to be supported by others experiencing similar medical experiences.

We congratulate Dr. Brisman for his placement in the 2013 “Best Doctors” List, and thank him for his special dedication to medicine, to his patients and to their families.