Faheem Akram Sandhu, MD| Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery | MedStar Health
Faheem Akram Sandhu

Faheem Akram Sandhu, MD
Provider is directly employed by MedStar Health

4.8 out of 5 (1749 reviews)

Specialties: Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

Languages: Urdu, English

301-856-0477

About me

Faheem Sandhu, MD, PhD, is director of Spine Surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and professor of Neurological Surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center. He specializes in minimally invasive and complex spinal surgery. Dr. Sandhu is an innovator in the field and holds several patents. His practice includes all areas of spine conditions: degenerative, deformity, tumor, and trauma. He has special interest in minimally invasive spine surgery and applying these techniques to all aspects of spinal surgery as well as disc arthroplasty and disorders of the craniocervical junction.

Dr. Sandhu's extensive surgical experience includes performing more than 6,000 procedures. He finds great satisfaction in helping people live pain free and resume a normal life. Using the newest minimally invasive techniques enables him to provide relief for people who previously might not have been good candidates for spine surgery, such as older or obese individuals.

Dr. Sandhu graduated with honors from the University of Rochester School of Medicine, where he earned the Robert Kates Award for outstanding clinical and research work. He completed a doctorate in biochemistry as part of the Medical Scientist Training Program. Dr. Sandhu completed his residency in neurological surgery at MedStar Georgetown, followed by a fellowship in minimally invasive and complex spinal surgery at the University of Chicago Hospital.

Dr. Sandhu has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and has presented his research at major meetings in the U.S. and abroad. He regularly teaches courses on techniques of minimally invasive spine surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

When he's not working, Dr. Sandhu enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife and three children.

Read more about Dr. Sandhu's background and accomplishments.

Clinical areas of focus

  • Aneurysm
  • Brain Tumor
  • Brain Tumor Surgery
  • Cerebral Internal Carotid Artery Ophthalmic Segment Aneurysm Coiling
  • Cervical Myelopathy Surgery
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment
  • Neuroendovascular Surgery
  • Pituitary Tumor Surgery
  • Scoliosis
  • Spinal Reconstruction Surgery
  • Spondylosis
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Conditions and procedures

Conditions I treat

  • Aneurysm
  • Bone Discontinuity
  • Bone Disorders
  • Brain Aneurysm
  • Brain Disorders
  • Brain Tumor
  • Bursopathy
  • Carotid Stenosis
  • Cerebrovascular Diseases
  • Congenital Malformations Of Nervous System
  • Congenital Malformations Of Skull And Face Bones
  • Congenital Malformations Of Spine And Bony Thorax
  • Deep Brain Stimulation
  • Deforming Dorsopathies
  • Dorsalgia
  • Dorsopathies
  • Epilepsy
  • Fractures Of The Neck
  • Head Injury
  • Hemangioma
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Inflammatory Spondylopathies
  • Intervertebral Disc Disorders
  • Intraspinal Granuloma
  • Kyphosis
  • Lumbar Spine Fracture
  • Meningioma
  • Muscle Disorders
  • Musculoskeletal System Complications
  • Neck Nerve And Spinal Cord Injury
  • Neoplasm Of Uncertain Behavior
  • Nervous And Musculoskeletal Symptoms
  • Nervous System Disorders
  • Nontraumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
  • Paralytic Syndrome
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Scoliosis
  • Secondary Malignant Neoplasm Of Brain
  • Skull Fractures
  • Spina Bifida
  • Spinal Cord Diseases
  • Spine Tumor
  • Spondylopathies
  • Spondylosis
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Procedures I perform

  • Angiogram
  • Bifrontal Craniectomy
  • Brain Tumor Surgery
  • Cerebellar Hemorrhage Evacuation
  • Cerebral Internal Carotid Artery Ophthalmic Segment Aneurysm Coiling
  • Cervical Corpectomy
  • Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
  • Cervical Laminectomy
  • Cervical Myelopathy Surgery
  • Cervical Nerve Release
  • Cervical Spinal Cord Release
  • Cervical Vertebra Reposition
  • Cervical Vertebral Disc Excision
  • Cholecystectomy
  • Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
  • Craniectomy For Hematoma Evacuation
  • Craniectomy For Meningioma
  • Deep Brain Stimulation
  • Discectomy
  • Dura Mater Supplement
  • Electroencephalogram
  • Electroencephalogram Review
  • Electroencephalogram Setup And Takedown
  • Electromyography
  • Endoscopic Spine Surgery
  • Enterectomy
  • Excision Of Cerebellum
  • Excision Of Cerebral Ventricle
  • Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion
  • Fibula Osteotomy
  • Flap Surgery
  • Foot Subcutaneous Tissue Diagnostic Drainage
  • Heart Pacemaker Implantation
  • Iliopopliteal Bypass
  • Interbody Biomechanical Device Insertion
  • Intracranial Subdural Space Drainage
  • Intraoperative Neurophysiology Monitoring
  • Kyphoplasty
  • Laminectomy
  • Laminotomy
  • Lumbar Laminectomy
  • Lumbar Laminectomy And Fusion
  • Lumbar Nerve Release
  • Lumboperitoneal Shunt
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Matrixectomy
  • Median Nerve Conduction Studies
  • Median Nerve Decompression
  • Metacarpal Joint Arthrodesis
  • Microdiscectomy
  • Microsurgical Procedures
  • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
  • Morphine Pump Implantation
  • Myelography
  • Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment
  • Neuroendovascular Surgery
  • Neuromuscular Testing
  • Open Brain Release
  • Open Cerebellum Release
  • Ostectomy
  • Osteotomy
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Pathology Consultation
  • Percutaneous Discectomy
  • Percutaneous Kyphoplasty
  • Peripheral Nerve Surgery
  • Phalanx Bone Excision
  • Pituitary Tumor Surgery
  • Posterior Fossa Craniotomy
  • Pressure Flow Study
  • Prostate Injury Treatment
  • Proton Beam Radiosurgery
  • Removal Of Internal Fixation Device
  • Resection Of Thoracic Vertebral Disc
  • Sacral Nerve Release
  • Scoliosis Deformity Correction
  • Somatosensory Evoked Potentials
  • Spinal Cord Tumor Treatment
  • Spinal Disc Replacement
  • Spinal Fusion
  • Spinal Meninges Supplement
  • Spinal Reconstruction Surgery
  • Spinal Spondylolysis Treatment
  • Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy For Brain Tumors
  • Stereotactic Spinal Procedure
  • Subclavian Artery Extirpation
  • Thoracic Aorta To Carotid Artery Bypass With Synthetic Substitute
  • Thoracic Laminectomy
  • Thread Lift
  • Twist Drill Hole With Ventricular Catheter
  • Venous Access Device Removal
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Practice locations

Distance from Change LocationEnter your Location

10401 Hospital Dr
Ste 101 Bldg A
Clinton, MD, 20735

301-856-2323

Fax 855-385-5335

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 855-385-5335

130 Hospital Rd
Ste 101
Prince Frederick, MD, 20678

301-856-2323

Fax 855-385-5335

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 855-385-5335

5454 Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 1100
Chevy Chase, MD, 20815

301-856-2323

Fax 855-385-5335

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 855-385-5335

3800 Reservoir Rd NW
Pasquerilla Healthcare Center 7th Fl Neurosurgery
Washington, DC, 20007

202-877-5026

Fax 202-877-5551

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 202-877-5551

Insurance

MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.

  • List of insurance plans we accept
    • Aetna Advantage 6350
    • Network OA
    • CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
    • Core Essential (HMO)
    • Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
    • Aetna Advantage 6350PD
    • Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
    • BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
    • Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
    • Erickson Advantage Plans
    • Aetna Classic 3500
    • CareFirst Blue Card Program
    • Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
    • Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
    • NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
    • Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
    • CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
    • AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
    • CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
    • UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
    • Options PPO Cardiac Global
    • UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
    • Aetna Premier 200PD
    • CareFirst Administrators
    • UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
    • Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
    • Blue Choice Advantage
    • Kaiser Permanente Signature
    • Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
    • UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
    • IH-POS
    • HealthyBlue PPO
    • Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
    • Advantra Platinum (PPO)
    • Aetna Better Health of MD
    • IH-EPO Plus
    • Choice POS II Open Access
    • Beech Street PPO
    • Health Services for Children with Special Needs
    • IH-Open POS Plus
    • Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
    • Medicare Direct
    • Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
    • Employee Health Plan
    • Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
    • United Student Resources
    • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
    • UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
    • Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
    • Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
    • CareFirst MedStar PPO
    • Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
    • Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
    • CIGNA POS/Network POS
    • TRICARE East Select
    • CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
    • CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
    • Aetna Student Health Insurance
    • AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
    • POS OA
    • Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
    • United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
    • OA Plus
    • Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
    • HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
    • Aetna Classic 5000
    • Medicare FFS
    • WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
    • Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
    • Aetna Advantage 5750
    • Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
    • Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
    • Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
    • CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
    • HighMark
    • MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
    • Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
    • United Healthcare Choice
    • Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
    • IH-Open HMO Option
    • CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
    • IH-Open POS II
    • IH-Open Network Only Plus
    • CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
    • Optimum Choice
    • MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
    • Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
    • HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
    • HumanaChoice PPO
    • Choice POS
    • CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
    • Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
    • Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
    • TRICARE East Prime
    • Choice Fund PPO
    • Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
    • CareFirst NASCO
    • Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
    • IH-Network Only Plus
    • United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
    • United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
    • Aetna Basic
    • Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
    • Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
    • Maryland Physicians Care MCO
    • Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
    • MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
    • CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
    • Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
    • Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
    • Humana Gold Plus HMO
    • CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
    • CIGNA HMO Open Access
    • Sentara Health
    • Aetna VA Exchange
    • Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
    • AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
    • CIGNA EPO
    • First Health PPO
    • Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
    • Navigate
    • Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
    • Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
    • United Healthcare Options (PPO)
    • Aetna Classic 5000PD
    • Amerigroup DC Alliance
    • Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
    • Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
    • Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
    • Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
    • M.D. IPA (HMO)
    • OCI Direct (HMO)
    • United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
    • DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
    • United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
    • CareFirst EPO
    • United Healthcare Choice Plus
    • Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
    • BlueChoice Open Access
    • Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
    • Police and Fire Clinic
    • Aetna Better Health of VA
    • IH-Indemnity
    • Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
    • United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
    • Choice POS II
    • Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
    • Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
    • Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
    • Aetna HMO
    • Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
    • MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
    • CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
    • Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
    • Coventry Health Care of Virginia
    • United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
    • M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
    • Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
    • Kaiser Permanente Select
    • Tricare Reserve Select
    • First Health PPO
    • IH-Open EPO Plus
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
    • IH-HMO
    • Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
    • Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
    • CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
    • Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
    • Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
    • IH-PPO
    • Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
    • Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
    • Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
    • BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
    • TRICARE for Life East
    • CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
    • Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
    • CIGNA Indemnity
    • Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
    • UHC Passport
    • IH-Open HMO
    • United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
    • United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
    • IH-POS Plus
    • Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
    • Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
    • Geisinger Medicare Advantage
    • MultiPlan, Inc
    • TriWest Healthcare Alliance
    • CIGNA PPO
    • CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
    • CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
    • Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
    • Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
    • CIGNA PPO Plus
    • CIGNA Connect EPO

Videos

Education

Board Certification: American Board of Neurological Surgery, Neurological Surgery

Fellowship: University of Chicago (2003)

Residency: Georgetown University Hospital (2002)

Internship: District Of Columbia General Hospital (1996)

Medical School: University of Rochester (1995)

Awards

  • Listed in "Washingtonian Top Doctors"
  • Listed in "Best Doctors"
  • Listed in Strathmore's Who's Who
  • Listed in "America's Top Surgeons"
  • Doctor of Medicine Degree with Honors (U of R, 1995)
  • Bryce Collier Prize for Exceptional Responsibility and Devotion to Patient Care (U of R, 1995)
  • Robert Kates Award for Outstanding Clinical and Research Work (U of R, 1995)
  • Wallace O. Fenn Award for the Best Doctoral Thesis (U of R, 1994)
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society (U of R, 1994)

Ratings and reviews

  • Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

    4.8
  • Extent to which the care provider listened to you

    4.9
  • Care provider’s discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

    4.8
  • Provider included you in decisions

    4.8
  • Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

    4.9
  • Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

    4.8
  • Jul 23, 2025

    Dr. Sandhu is a very good doctor and a great listener as well as explaining every step up to and after surgery.

  • Jul 12, 2025

    Always very nice and very good at explaining things so I fully understand

  • Jul 12, 2025

    Everything was explained to me in In the way that I can understand