Our Doctors

Dr. Blake Berman, D.O., F.A.C.O.S, F.A.C.S., Q.M.E.

Neurosurgery, Cranial Surgery, Spinal Surgery, Spinal Disorders, and Pain Management

CURRICULUM VITAE
University of La Verne B.S. (Biology)
La Verne, California
Western University of Health Sciences, Osteopathic Medicine (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)
Pomona, California

INTERNSHIP
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (Traditional Rotating Internship)
Colton, California

RESIDENCY
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (Neurological Surgery)
Colton, California

FELLOWSHIP
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (Complex Spine & Neuro-Trauma)
Colton, California

BIO
Dr. Berman has surgical expertise and special interests in all aspects of spinal and cranial surgery including minimally invasive spinal techniques, complex reconstructive techniques for adult spinal deformity and degenerative disease, image-guided techniques for both spinal and cranial tumor surgery, skull base and key-hole approaches for cranial tumors and aneurysms, and trans-nasal approaches for cranial tumors.

In addition to his commitment to academic excellence, Dr. Berman prides himself on his devotedness to his patients and on his dedication to providing quality and compassionate Neurosurgical care to the community. His philosophy and practice are based on service and integrity while maintaining the highest of ethical standards. When not caring for patients, Dr. Berman is an avid and practicing singer, song writer, and bass guitarist. His appreciation for both medical sciences and the musical arts, in addition to his tireless pursuit of excellence, keeps him grounded, humble, and contemporary.

Dr. Michael D. Mauro, D.O., Q.M.E.

Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Spine Surgery

CURRICULUM VITAE
Daemen College, BS (Physical Therapy)
Amherst, New York
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)
Kirksville, Missouri

INTERNSHIP
Grandview Hospital and Medical Center (Orthopedic Surgery)
Ohio University
Dayton, Ohio

RESIDENCY
Grandview Hospital and Medical Center (Orthopedic Surgery)
Ohio University
Dayton, Ohio

FELLOWSHIP
Johns Hopkins Hospital Campus (Orthopedic Spine Surgery)
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

BIO
Dr. Mauro, as a board-certified spine surgeon, specializes in general orthopedic disorders as well as cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal disorders.
He is fully trained and able to perform specialized services including, but not limited to foraminotomy, kyphoplasty, laminectomy, lumbar laminectomy, lumbar spine fusion, spinal fusion surgery, cervical decompression, cervical fusion, and lumbar spinal injections.

The conditions he’s treated include back and neck sprains and injuries, degenerative spine disease, herniated discs, lower back pain, Scoliosis, spinal disc diseases, spinal stenosis, spine deformities, and Spondylosis. He offers a wide variety of both non-surgical and surgical treatment options for patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Dr. Mauro received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Daemon College in New York then went on to receive his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri.

He interned and completed his residency at Grandview Hospital and Medical Center in Ohio and also received his Orthopaedic Spine Surgery Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland.

As an Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Mauro has been previously associated with the Carilion Clinic New River Valley and RSZ Orthopaedics. Before he earned his doctorate, he also served as a Registered Physical Therapist with Jackson County Memorial Hospital.

In addition to his work with patients, Dr. Mauro has also been associated as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery; Division of Orthopedic Surgery: Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He’s also been a part of Carilion NRV’s Surgical Services Operations Committee.

Dr. Mauro has lectured nationally on a variety of Orthopedic and Spinal Disorders. His research in Minimizing the Risk of Retropharyngeal Hematoma after Anterior Cervical Spine Injury and Screw Removal Complications with Locked Plating has been presented in The Internet Journal of Surgery, at the Grandview Hospital and Medical Center, and The University of Dayton Research Institute, respectively.

Dr. Mauro has also won the Best Bedside Manner Award 2016 at Our Health Roanoke and New River Valley, the Compassionate Doctor Award on PatientsChoice.org, and the Patient’s Choice Award 2012 on PatientsChoice.org.

Dr. Alex Etemad, M.D., B.S.E.

Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery

CURRICULUM VITAE
University of Pennsylvania B.A. (Computer Engineering & Pre-med
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
George Washington University (Doctor of Medicine
Washington, DC

INTERNSHIP & RESIDENCY
University of Virginia (Department of Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery)
Charlottesville, Virginia

FELLOWSHIP
UCLA (Department of Orthopedic Surgery)
Los Angeles, California

BIO
Currently Dr. Etemad is a full-time member of Southern California Orthopedic/Sports Medicine Center. His clinical practice focuses on diagnosis and treatment of spinal injuries and disorders. He provides a full array of treatments for spinal pathology including, but not limited to, non-operative treatment of spinal strains, sprains, herniated discs, radiculopathy, myelopathy, fractures, and dislocations.

His non-operative treatment modalities include physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, and facet joint injections. Dr. Etemad is a big believer on trying the conservative approach to pain management.

Dr. Thomas Chappell, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Neurosurgery

CURRICULUM VITAE
University of North Carolina B.A. (Chemistry)
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

North Carolina State University M.S. (Physiology)
Raleigh, North Carolina

Bowman Gray School of Medicine (M.D.)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

INTERNSHIP
George Washington University Hospital (General Surgery)
Washington, D.C.

RESIDENCY
George Washington University Hospital (Neurological Surgery)
Washington, D.C.

BIO
Dr. Chappell’s entire career of 16 years after his extended residency training has been working for medical universities in California, such as the University of California – San Francisco (formerly, Davis)– East Bay and the University of California – San Diego. He remains a professor of neurosurgery at the University of California – Irvine. His research and subspecialty interests have spanned the realm of neurosurgery. Dr. Chappell has written numerous publications, chapters in textbooks and has presented at numerous conferences in the areas of Brain Trauma, Brain Tumors, and Spine Surgery. He has special training in skull base surgery, stereotaxic techniques, and spine techniques.

Dr. Chappell has been honored throughout his career for his attention to patient care and the instruction of students and residents. He is known throughout the medical community in Orange County as congenial, devoted, reliable, and of the utmost integrity. He has always attended to those patients with the least resources and most advanced diseases, making his outcomes for the less ill even better.

Dr. Chappell’s approach to practicing neurosurgery is unique in many ways. He has been a leader in minimally-invasive techniques for spine and brain surgery for more than 10 years. Dr. Chappell remains one of the few neurosurgeons in Southern California using minimally-invasive techniques routinely in his practice. Dr. Chappell is known for close interaction with his patients and their primary physicians. Both have prompt access to Dr. Chappell around the clock. He reliably spends sufficient time with patients in consultation so that they can make the most informed decision about having surgery.

Dr. Aaron Allen, M.D., Q.M.E.

Neurology, Neurophysiology, Pain Medicine

CURRICULUM VITAE
University of California Berkeley B.A. (Physics)
Berkeley, California

California State University San Francisco M.A. (Psychology)
San Francisco, CA

University of Southern California (M.D.)
Los Angeles, California

INTERNSHIP
LAC/USC Medical Center (Medical Intern)
Los Angeles, California

RESIDENCY
LAC/USC Medical Center (Neurology)
Los Angeles, California

BIO
After entering private practice Dr. Allen worked in a variety of settings that ranged from solo practice to working in foreign medical centers in the Middle East. He has remained active in neurology and the management of neurological diseases. In addition to board certification in neurology, he has been previously certified in clinical neurophysiology and pain medicine. He is active in a number of national and international medical organizations.

In addition, Dr. Allen has maintained a keen interest in medical ethics and has served on hospital ethics committees, even chairing one for several years. He has also served as president of the Orange County Neurological Society. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, Royal Society of Medicine, American College of Forensic Examiners, and American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians.

Dr. Allen is committed to giving his patients optimal care that requires not only current medical knowledge but compassion and understanding.