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Mark Souweidane

Mark M. Souweidane, MD

Pediatric Neurosurgeon

My Role at MSK

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Pediatric Brain Tumors
  • Endoscopic Surgery
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Dr. Souweidane's Office Information
Languages: English

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About Me

What I Do at MSK
  • Attending Neurosurgeon
Get To Know Me

I have dedicated my life’s work to the surgical treatment of children with brain and spinal disorders. I am internationally recognized for my deep experience in challenging surgeries. These include removing tumors near the spine and in the ventricles of the brain (called intraventricular brain tumors); managing tumors in the pineal gland, also in the brain; treating congenital cysts, which are present in the body at birth; and correcting Chiari malformation, a condition in which tissue from the brain extends into the spinal canal. I perform about 300 surgeries each year; many of them are minimally invasive.

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One of the techniques I specialize in is endoscopic surgery. This method uses small cameras called scopes that are inserted through tiny incisions or the openings in the body, such as the nose and mouth. I perform this type of surgery for the conditions above, as well as for hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and colloid cysts, which form inside the ventricles of the brain. Endoscopic surgery has revolutionized the way we treat these diseases. It reduces the risk of complications and enhances recovery but is just as effective as traditional open surgery. I also use this approach to treat some adult patients, in addition to children.

In my research, my laboratory focuses on improving outcomes for children with brain tumors. We study brain tumor models and new approaches to chemotherapy.

We also study the use of very small catheters to deliver medicine to parts of the body that can’t be accessed through surgery. This technique is known as convection-enhanced delivery. Our work has paved the way for clinical trials and the chance for effective treatments for children who otherwise do not have these options.

For example, in a phase I clinical trial that I am leading in children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a type of brain stem tumor, we are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of delivering different doses of a new drug directly into the tumor through convection-enhanced delivery. Find out more about this clinical trial and eligibility for enrollment by calling 212-639-2336.

In addition to my role as a neurosurgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering, I serve as Vice Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery, Director of Pediatric Neurological Surgery, and Professor of Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College. Nationally, I am Chair of the Neurosurgery Committee of the Children’s Oncology Group, and I serve on the editorial boards of several of the most prominent peer-reviewed neurosurgery journals.

I am inspired by the children I treat and the commitment of their parents. When I meet a patient for the first time, I try to gain a level of trust and confidence and provide comfort. I recognize that honesty, integrity, and humility are important components of my relationship with my patients and their parents. These virtues form the foundation of everything I do.

My Role at MSK

A pediatric neurosurgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves). They treat children and adolescents.

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Pediatric Brain Tumors
  • Endoscopic Surgery
  • Pineal Tumors & Pineal Cysts
  • Brainstem Tumors
  • Colloid Cyst Surgery
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Residencies

  • Neurosurgery - New York University School of Medicine

Awards and Honors

  • Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentorship, Weill Cornell Medicine (2024)
  • Cristian Rivera Vision of Hope Award (2023)
  • Alumni Honorary Fellowship Award, Weill Cornell Medical College (2024)
  • Pilot Accelerator Award, St. Baldrick's Foundation and American Cancer Society (2021)
  • Pioneer Award for Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Brain Tumor Foundation (2020)
  • Super Doctors, New York Times magazine (2023)

Fellowships

  • Pediatric Neurosurgery - Hospital for Sick Children

Insurance Information

Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.

Aetna

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (MTA and NYC retirees only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Anthem BCBS and other BCBS licensee plans

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

See updates

Anthem BCBS Health Plus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

See updates

Anthem Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO, DSN

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Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

See updates

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS

See updates

Carrum Health

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

Cigna

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Connecticare

In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.

Emblem Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage (Medicare Choice PPO Network and VIP Prime Network Only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Empire Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

See updates

Fidelis

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

First Health

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Healthfirst

In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

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Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

See updates

Horizon Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Magnacare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

MVP

In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

In Network Coverage Type
TBD

Oscar

In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO

Oxford

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Qualcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

UMR

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS

United Healthcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.

If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.

If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.

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Current Patients

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Contact and Location

Dr. Souweidane sees patients at one location.

Location
New York, NY
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue New York NY 10065
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Colleagues

Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.

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Clinical Trials

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Find a Clinical Trial for You

Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.

You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.

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Research and Publications

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Souweidane’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

See all on PubMed

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