Anthony L. Asher, MD, FAANS, FACS
Subspecialties
- Spine Surgery
- Peripheral Nerve Surgery
- Neuro-Oncology
- Cerebrovascular Surgery
Special Interests
- Brain Tumors
- Micro & Endoscopic Spine Surgery
- Skull Base Tumors
- Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
Board Certified
- American Board of Neurological Surgery
Biography
Dr. Anthony L. Asher is President of the Atrium Health Neuroscience Institute, Vice Dean for Neurosciences, Wake Forest University, and Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He additionally provides institutional leadership as Surgical Director of the Adult NeuroOncology Program and Co-Director of the Gamma Knife Program at Levine Cancer Center, and Clinical Director, Digital Innovation for Procedural Services, Advocate Health.
Dr. Asher was awarded one of the original Howard Hughes Medical Institute-National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Scholarships, and subsequently completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH. His laboratory and translational research has focused on cancer immunotherapy.
Since the completion of his neurosurgery residency training at the University of Michigan in 1995, Dr. Asher has been a member of the Charlotte, NC based Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates (CNSA). His primary clinical interests include neuro-oncology, skull-base surgery, stereotactic surgery, and trigeminal neuralgia.
Dr. Asher co-founded the Neurological Surgery Residency Program at Carolinas Medical Center. He has developed numerous pioneering national programs in surgical education and presently serves as Neurosurgery Service Line Director, IRCAD, North America (NA) and a member of the IRCAD NA Scientific Committee and IRCAD International Faculty. He holds adjunct professorships in Neurosurgery at the University of North Carolina, Mayo Clinic, Wake Forest University and at Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Asher has served in numerous senior national leadership positions, including President, Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), Director and Vice Chairman of the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS), and Chairman of the Central Nervous System Organ Site Committee of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group. He is recent past President, American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). He is one of 12 individuals and the only private practitioner to lead both of North America’s major neurosurgical organizations over the past 74 years.
He has been Principal investigator or co-principal investigator on numerous Phase I-III clinical oncology trials funded by NIH, bio industry, and private foundations. Novel paradigms for the treatment of cerebral metastases developed by Dr. Asher and his co-investigators have been adopted as standards of care by a majority of North American cancer centers. He has performed significant work with bio-industry, and served as the Chief Medical Officer to Hyperbranch Medical Technologies for over ten years. He has led the development and implementation of national quality data programs in neurosurgery and spine care, with over 250,000 patients enrolled to-date in four primary platforms. These efforts have resulted in some of the the largest cooperative clinical data research efforts in the history of North American neurosurgery. He is the author or co-author of over 230 peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Asher has represented neurosurgery and other medical specialties in leadership and advisory roles to the AMA’s National Quality Registry Council, the National Quality Forum (NQF), The Institute for Healthcare Improvement, The HHS Departments of OHRP and OCR, the Joint Commission, the FDA, and the HHS Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections.
Dr. Asher is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has been elected to the American Academy of Neurological Surgery and Society of Neurological Surgeons.
Education
Fellowship - National Cancer Institute
Specialty: Surgical Oncology
Residency & Internship - University of Michigan
Specialty: Neurological Surgery
Medical School - Wayne State University School of Medicine
Howard Hughes Medical Institute - NIH Research Scholar
Research & Awards
Explore Dr. Asher's groundbreaking contributions to the field of neurosurgery through his extensive research and accolades. Click HERE to view a compilation of his published papers, research findings, and prestigious awards in PDF format.
Grants & Editorials: Discover Dr. Asher's influential role in shaping neurosurgical practices and advancing medical knowledge. Click HERE to access a comprehensive PDF showcasing the grants he has secured and the editorials he has authored or contributed to, offering valuable insights into his expertise and dedication to improving patient care.
Affiliations & Memberships
President and Enterprise Service Line Leader, Atrium Health Neurosciences Institute
Senior National Leadership positions
- 2002- 2004 Chairman, CNS Organ Site Committee, American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG)
- 2005- 2006 Vice President, Congress of Neurological Surgeons
- 2007- 2008 President, Congress of Neurological Surgeons
- 2012- 2017 Director, American Board of Neurological Surgery
- 2017- 2018 Vice-Chair, American Board of Neurological Surgery
- 2019- Present Treasurer, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- 2022-2023 President-Elect, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- 2023-2024 President, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Other Councils, Committees, and National Leadership Positions (Operational, Strategic, and Educational)
American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
- Co-Chair, Strategic Planning Committee 2021-present
- Finance Committee 2019-present
- Executive Committee, 2019-present
- Director at Large, AANS Board of Directors 2013-2016
- AANS/CNS Washington Committee: 2006-2008, Member
Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
- Executive Committee, 2000-2009
- Annual Meeting and Strategic Planning Chairman, 2006-2007
- Scientific Program Chairman, 2005-2006
- Vice President, 2004-2005
- Education, Information Technology and Publications Committees, 2003-2009
- Education Science Subcommittee 2008-2014
- Chairman, Nominating Committee 2009-2010
- Chairman, Committee for Long Range Planning and Development of NEUROSURGERY 2007-2009
American Board of Neurological Surgeons (ABNS)
- Extramural Written Examination Committee, 2002-2010
American College of Surgeons
- ACS North Carolina Chapter Board of Directors, 2023-present
Blue Ribbon Committee II
- Specialty Surgery Focus Group on Recommendations for the Future of Surgical Training 2024-present
Other National and Regional Leadership Positions: Cancer Programs
American College of Surgeons: American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG), Executive Committee, 2002-2004
AANS/CNS Section on Tumors: Executive Committee, 1998-2009; Chairman and Founder, AANS/CNS Academic-Community Brain Tumor Alliance, 2005-2010; Advisory Board, Glioma Outcomes Project, 2000-2004
Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG): Brain Tumor Committee; 2006-present
Professional Memberships (non-elected)
American Association of Neurological Surgeons; Congress of Neurological Surgeons;
Southern Neurosurgical Society; Southern Neurosurgical Society; American Medical Association; North Carolina Medical Society; North Carolina Neurosurgical Society; AANS/CNS Section on Tumors; AANS/CNS Section on Spine
Reviews
Media
Back Talk Doc: Episode 10 - Understanding the Science of Practice in Neurosurgery & Medicine
The ability for spine surgeons across North America to share data about patient outcomes took a giant leap forward with the recent creation of the American Spine Registry (ASR). Anthony Asher, MD, FAANS, FACS, a neurosurgeon at Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates is Co-Chairman of the ASR.
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Over 17 years after suffering a traumatic brain injury, Kaylin and her family are reunited to thank CNSA neurosurgeon Anthony L. Asher, MD, FAANS, FACS, for saving her life. Kaylin and her family faced an unimaginable, tragic event, but defied all odds and experienced a remarkable recovery thanks to timely surgical intervention, strength, and perseverance.
Four doctors from Carolina NeuroSurgery & Spine Associates (CNSA) have earned the prestigious Top Doctor designation from South Park Magazine, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to neurosurgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation.
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We are thrilled to announce 19 exceptional doctors who have been recognized as Charlotte Magazine "Top Doctors." Join us in celebrating the expertise and dedication of these exceptional physicians. They have consistently demonstrated their commitment to providing the highest standard of care and have impacted the lives of countless patients.
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