Sandra Yan, MD

Biography

Sandra Yan, MD is a neurosurgeon at Carolina NeuroSurgery & Spine Associates (CNSA) who treats a wide range of neurosurgical conditions, including brain tumors, spinal tumors, degenerative spinal conditions, and neurotrauma.

Originally from Maryland, she attended Brown University's combined BS/MD program, where she had the flexibility to explore a variety of interests. After graduating from college early, she spent time conducting clinical neurosurgery research in Boston before returning to Brown for medical school. She later completed her neurosurgery residency at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Dr. Yan's interest in medicine began when she was seven years old. Dr. Yan stated, "When I was seven years old, my mother gave me a book on several different women who changed the face of healthcare, and I was so inspired by their stories of courage and resilience that I began considering becoming a physician. "

Years later, while conducting neuroscience research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during high school, she realized healthcare was the career she wanted to pursue.

Dr. Yan's philosophy is simple: "Always listen to my patients and put them first." She considers it "an honor and a privilege" to care for patients during some of the most challenging moments of their lives and never takes that responsibility for granted. She believes that "every patient has a unique story to tell" and is committed to partnering with each patient to help them achieve their goals.

At CNSA, Dr. Yan values the opportunity to work alongside colleagues who care for the full spectrum of neurosurgical conditions. She appreciates the group's collaborative environment and believes patients benefit from the shared knowledge and experience across the practice.

Outside of work, Dr. Yan enjoys visiting museums, watching musicals, participating in trivia nights, and trying new restaurants with her husband. She also loves to travel and enjoys collecting small keepsakes from the places they visit together.

Education

• Residency - Neurological Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
• Medical School - Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
• Undergraduate - Brown University Combined BS/MD Program, Providence, RI