Request an Appointment

Robert E. Wharen, Jr., M.D.

  1. Neurosurgeon

Departments

Specialty Groups

Location

  1. Jacksonville, Florida

Languages

English

Existing patients

Dr. Robert Wharen is a professor of neurosurgery in the Department of Neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida.

  • Dr. Wharen was the chair of the department from the time Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida was established in 1986 to July 2016.
  • He is the assistant program director for the neurosurgery residency program.
  • Dr. Wharen's areas of expertise are in functional neurosurgery, brain tumors and skull base surgery, and neurosurgical procedures for pain. He has been involved with clinical and basic research in Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, gliomas, hydrocephalus, epilepsy, pituitary tumors, dysesthetic pain, trigeminal neuralgia, lumbar stenosis, acoustic tumors and arteriovenous malformations. Along with Dr. Ryan Uitti, Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida has been a leading academic center in functional neurosurgery and deep brain stimulation.
  • Dr. Wharen holds two patents for inventions related to deep brain stimulation.
  • Dr. Wharen has served as president of the Southern Neurosurgery Society, vice-president of the Neurosurgery Society of America, and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons representative to ASTM International (formerly the American Standards for Testing and Materials), where he was involved in the development of industry standards for shunts and aneurysm clips.
    1. Brain tumor
    2. Epilepsy
    3. Pain
    4. Parkinsonism
    5. Parkinson's disease
    1. Epilepsy surgery
    2. Minimally invasive surgery
    3. Spine procedures
    4. Stereotactic radiosurgery
    • Brain tumors
    • Stereotactic surgery
    • Parkinson's disease and tremor
    • Epilepsy surgery
    • Minimally invasive spine surgery
    • Pain
    1. 1985
      Resident - Neurologic SurgeryMayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
    2. 1984
      Visiting ResidentGrady Memorial Hospital, Emory University
    3. 1980
      InternshipMayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
    4. 1979
      MDPennsylvania State University
    5. 1975
      BAUniversity of Chicago

    Certifications

    1. 1988
      Neurological SurgeryAmerican Board of Neurological Surgery

    Awards and honors

    1. 2019
      Top Doctors Jacksonville Magazine
    2. 2018
      Patient's Choice AwardVitals.com
    3. 2018
      Teacher of the YearMayo Clinic Florida Residency Program
    4. 2017
      Healthcare HerosJacksonville Business Journal
    5. 2016
      America's Most Honored Professionals 2016 - Top 5%America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals
    6. 2014
      ArmadaCertified Specialty PhysicianArmada Health
    7. 2014
      America's Top Physicians Making a DifferenceAmerica's Top Physicians Making a Difference
    8. 2013
      2013 Service Excellence AwardHealth Network Foundation
    9. 2012
      Vice PresidentNeurosurgical Society of America
    10. 2008
      PresidentSouthern Neurosurgical Society
    11. 2007
      President-ElectSouthern Neurosurgical Society
    12. 2004
      TreasurerSouthern Neurosurgical Society
    13. 2004
      Selected by peers for inclusionAmerica's Top Doctors for Cancer
    14. 2003
      Distinguished Mayo ClinicianMayo Clinic
    15. 2001
      Selected by peers for inclusionAmerica's Top Doctors
    16. 2000
      Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in Scientific Presentation for: Neuropsychological outcome following pallidotomy vs. deep brain stimulation for tremor control.Clinical Neuropsychology Science Directorate of the American Psychological Association.
    17. 1999
      McMillan ScholarshipMayo Clinic
    18. 1996
      Selected by peers for inclusionBest Doctors in America: Southeast Region
    19. 1985
      Mayo Foundation Neurosurgical Travel AwardMayo Clinic
    20. 1975
      Sigma Xi Prize for Excellence in Science, Honorable Mention,University of Chicago

    Professional memberships

    1. 2017 - present
      ChairEnterprise Neurosurgery Education Committee
    2. 2016 - present
      MemberMayo Clinic, Department of Neurosurgery
    3. 2015 - present
      MemberThe Society of Neurological Surgeons
    4. 2015 - 2016
      MemberEnterprise Neurosurgery Executive Committee
    5. 2011
      Vice PresidentNeurosurgical Society of America
    6. 2011 - present
      Program DirectorNeurological Surgery Residency Program
    7. 2010 - 2011
      Course DirectorFrom Cranial to Spine: An Overview of Neurosurgical Topics for the Mid-Level Practitioner
    8. 2010 - present
      Active MemberTNA The Facial Pain Association
    9. 2009 - present
      MemberScientific Advisory Council, Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research, Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute
    10. 2008 - 2009
      PresidentSouthern Neurosurgical Society
    11. 2008
      MemberPersonnel Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    12. 2008
      MemberCareer and Leadership Development CALD - Module II
    13. 2008 - present
      MemberAllied Health Professional Academic and Promotions Committee, Mayo Clinic Rochester Committees
    14. 2007 - 2008
      President-ElectSouthern Neurosurgical Society
    15. 2005
      ChairCapital Management Team, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    16. 2005
      MemberCapital Management Team, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    17. 2005 - present
      ChairSite Selection Committee, Neurosurgical Society of America
    18. 2005 - present
      MemberSite Selection Committee, Neurosurgical Society of America
    19. 2004 - 2007
      TreasurerSouthern Neurosurgical Society
    20. 2004 - 2008
      ChairFinance Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    21. 2002 - 2004
      ChairOperating Room Governance Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    22. 2002 - 2003
      MemberBylaws Committee, Southern Neurosurgical Society
    23. 2002 - present
      ChairPractice Performance Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    24. 2002 - present
      MemberHospital Leadership Integration Team, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    25. 2001 - 2008
      MemberNeurology and Neurosurgery Practice Team, St. Luke's Hospital
    26. 2001 - 2004
      MemberOperating Room Governance Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    27. 2001 - 2004
      ChairLong Range Planning Committee, Neurosurgical Society of America
    28. 2000
      MemberAnesthesia Search Committee, Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    29. 2000
      MemberLocal Arrangements Committee, Neurosurgical Society of America
    30. 1999 - 2003
      MemberMayo Clinic Education Committee, Mayo Clinic Committees
    31. 1999 - 2003
      MemberHospital Facilities Task Force, St. Luke's Hospital
    32. 1999 - 2000
      MemberEducation Committee, Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    33. 1999 - 2000
      Vice PresidentSouthern Neurosurgical Society
    34. 1999
      MemberDean Selection Committee, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    35. 1999
      MemberScientific Advisory Board, Image-Guided Neurologics, Inc.
    36. 1999 - present
      MemberSports Medicine Committee, Department of Family Medicine
    37. 1999 - present
      MemberCancer Research Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    38. 1999 - present
      MemberSupply/Expense Coordinating Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    39. 1998 - 2003
      MemberCorporate Compliance Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    40. 1998 - 2001
      MemberMembership Committee, Neurosurgical Society of America
    41. 1998
      MemberDean Selection Committee, Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    42. 1998 - present
      MemberOperations Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    43. 1997 - 2008
      MemberFinance Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    44. 1997 - 2001
      Vice ChairBoard of Governors, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    45. 1997
      MemberRegional Visiting Faculty Program, Mayo School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    46. 1997
      ParticipantInternational Workshop on Pallidotomy, UCLA School of Medicine, 1997
    47. 1996
      Review Panel MemberSpecial Review Committee, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
    48. 1996 - 2002
      ChairNeurology and Neurosurgery Practice Team, St. Luke's Hospital
    49. 1996
      Residency Applicant InterviewerNeurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    50. 1996 - present
      MemberSociety for Neuro-Oncology
    51. 1996 - present
      MemberSouthern Neurosurgical Society
    52. 1995 - 1997
      MemberMayo Alumni Association, Mayo School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    53. 1995
      MemberMock Oral Board Exams, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    54. 1995 - present
      MemberNorth Central Florida Cancer Treatment Group
    55. 1994 - 2001
      MemberBoard of Governors, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    56. 1994 - 1998
      MemberResearch Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    57. 1994
      Residency Applicant InterviewerNeurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    58. 1994 - present
      MemberNeuro-Oncology Study Group, Department of Neurology
    59. 1994 - present
      MemberPractice Performance Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    60. 1994 - present
      MemberNeurosurgical Society of America
    61. 1993
      Invited MemberInternational Deep Brain Stimulation Study Group Planning Meeting, June 13, 1999
    62. 1993 - 2003
      MemberExecutive Medical Staff Committee, St. Luke's Hospital
    63. 1993 - 1994
      ChairOperational Excellence, Surgical Task Force, Mayo Clinic Florida Task Forces
    64. 1993 - 1994
      MemberSurgical Administrative Committee, Department of Surgery
    65. 1993
      MemberMock Oral Board Exams, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    66. 1993
      MemberRegional Visiting Faculty Program, Mayo School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    67. 1993 - present
      MemberNeuroscience Society, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Societies
    68. 1992
      Review Panel MemberSpecial Review Committee, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
    69. 1992 - 1995
      MemberBoard of Directors, St. Luke's Hospital
    70. 1992 - 1994
      MemberFee Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    71. 1992 - 1993
      Member8th Floor Continuous Improvement Task Force, Mayo Clinic Florida Task Forces
    72. 1992
      Residency Applicant InterviewerNeurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    73. 1991
      Review Panel MemberSpecial Review Committee, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
    74. 1991
      MemberMock Oral Board Exams, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    75. 1990 - 1992
      ChairSurgical Committee - Florida, Clinical Practice Committee - Florida, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    76. 1990
      Residency Applicant InterviewerNeurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    77. 1989 - 1991
      MemberClinical Practice Committee - Florida, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    78. 1989
      MemberMock Oral Board Exams, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    79. 1989
      MemberSergeant at Arms Committee, Congress of Neurological Surgeons
    80. 1989 - present
      MemberAmerican Association of Neurological Surgeons
    81. 1989 - present
      MemberFlorida Neurosurgical Society
    82. 1988 - 1998
      CNS-AANS LiaisonAmerican Society for Testing and Materials
    83. 1988 - 1994
      MemberDrugs and Devices Committee, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
    84. 1988
      Residency Applicant InterviewerNeurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
    85. 1988 - present
      MemberMayo Surgical Society, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Societies
    86. 1987 - present
      MemberSurgical Committee - Florida, Clinical Practice Committee - Florida, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
    87. 1987 - present
      MemberDuval County Medical Society
    88. 1987 - present
      MemberNeurosurgical Research Society of Western Ontario
    89. 1986 - 2002
      MemberInternational Society of Photodynamic Therapy
    90. 1985 - 1986
      MemberAllegheny County Medical Society
    91. 1985 - 1986
      MemberPennsylvania Medical Society
    92. 1985 - 1986
      MemberPennsylvania Neurosurgical Society
    93. 1982 - present
      MemberCongress of Neurological Surgeons
    94. 1981 - 2000
      MemberAmerican Medical Society
    95. 1981 - 1986
      MemberZumbro Valley Medical Society, Minnesota Medical Association
    96. 1981 - 1985
      MemberMinnesota Medical Association
    97.  
      MemberAdministrative Committee of the Board, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees

    Publications

    See my publications

    Research activities

    See a description of research activities.