Heather Kistka, MD

Heather Kistka, MD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in brain tumors, spine tumors, minimally-invasive spine surgery, herniated discs/pinched nerves, brain and spine trauma, carpal/cubital tunnel surgery, and stereotactic radiosurgery. Dr. Kistka completed medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. She then continued on to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she completed internship, fellowship, and residency training in a breadth of neurosurgical problems including brain tumors, neck and back pain, trauma, and functional neurosurgery. During residency, she was drawn to the multidisciplinary nature of care for patients with tumors and subspecialized in neurosurgical oncology.Dr. Kistka has contributed to a breadth of research including articles in the Journal of Neurosurgery; Journal of Neurological Surgery B Skull Base; Journal of Neurological Surgery Reports; and others.Today she enjoys a general neurosurgical practice applying her love of puzzles and …problem solving to the care of her patients. She strives to precisely identify and define the root cause of her patient’s brain or spine problem and work with them to develop the best plan of care.Medical Areas of Interest:Brain tumors (e.g. - metastatic tumors, primary brain tumors, meningiomas, pituitary tumors)Spine tumors - benign and metastaticMinimally-invasive spine surgeryHerniated discs/Pinched nervesBrain and spine traumaCarpal/cubital tunnel surgeryStereotactic radiosurgeryProfessional Affiliations:Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS)Fellow of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (FCNS)Society for Neuro-Oncology