Mark Souweidane

Mark M. Souweidane, MD

Pediatric Neurosurgeon

Titles

Attending Neurosurgeon

Clinical Expertise

Pediatric Neurosurgery; Pediatric Brain Tumors; Endoscopic Surgery; Pineal Region Tumors; Brainstem Tumors

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212-639-7056
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., (Eastern time)
Accepted Insurance Providers

Dr. Souweidane accepts the following list of insurance providers. Select your insurance provider to see more details.

Aetna

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (City of NY retirees only, starting 9/1/23)

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield New York

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO PPO, POS

Blue Cross Health Plus

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Carrum Health

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): Supplemental

Cigna

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Connecticare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem Essential

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO, DSN

Empire Essential

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

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

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Fidelis

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

First Health

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Healthfirst

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

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

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO

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

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO

Horizon Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Magnacare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): Supplemental

MVP

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

Payor Type: Other
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): TBD

Oscar

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO/EPO

Oxford

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Qualcare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

UMR

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS

United Healthcare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

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Contact and Location

  • Speaks English
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Memorial Sloan Kettering has locations throughout New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Westchester. These locations offer many services, including screening, chemotherapy, and medical testing.

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About Me

Education

MD, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Residencies

Neurosurgery - New York University School of Medicine

Fellowships

Pediatric Neurosurgery - Hospital for Sick Children

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.

Awards and Honors

  • Castle Connolly: New York Magazine Best Doctors (2012-2013, 2016-2018)
  • Castle Connolly: Top Doctors, New York Metro Area (2004-2012)
  • Cristian Rivera Vision of Hope Award (2012-2014)
  • Consumers’ Research Council of America Top Surgeons Award (2010)
  • Alpha Omega Alpha (inducted 1988)

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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