Richard S. Zimmerman, M.D.

  1. Neurosurgeon

Departments

Specialty Groups

Location

  1. Phoenix, Arizona

Languages

English

Richard S. Zimmerman, M.D., completed a residency in neurosurgery followed by a fellowship in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery. He has focused his patient-centered clinical practice on the following:

  • Surgical options to treat severe facial pain (trigeminal neuralgia)
  • Microsurgical treatment of hemifacial spasm
  • As a leading member of Mayo's Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, provides individualized surgical options for patients with seizures including minimally invasive laser ablation, responsive neurostimulation (RNS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and intracranial monitoring
  • Microsurgical treatment of aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and carotid artery disease
  • Surgery for brain tumors, including minimally invasive laser ablation

Dr. Zimmerman's expertise has been recognized nationally and internationally, and he serves on the medical advisory boards of the Epilepsy Foundation and the TNA — Facial Pain Association.

As a professor of neurosurgery, he knows the importance of educating the physicians of the future, and Dr. Zimmerman chairs the Mayo Clinic Education Committee and serves as medical director of education. As nothing is more important to him than excellent patient outcomes, he also chairs the Quality Outcomes Subcommittee, and has received Mayo Clinic's Lifetime Achievement Award for his career-long dedication to quality improvement and patient safety activities at Mayo Clinic.

  1. Ablation
  2. Aneurysm surgery
  3. Arteriovenous malformation surgery
  4. Brain tumor surgery
  5. Carotid endarterectomy
  6. Epilepsy surgery
  7. Hemifacial spasm surgery
  8. Trigeminal neuralgia surgery
  9. Vagus nerve stimulation
  • Epilepsy surgery (member of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center)
  • Stereotactic laser ablation procedures
  • Microneurosurgery (for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm)
  • Brain tumor and skull-base surgery
  • Facial pain and trigeminal neuralgia
  • Vascular neurosurgery (AVMs, aneurysms, carotid endarterectomy)
Phx

Phoenix, Arizona

  1. 1990
    Fellow - NeurovascularBarrow Neurological Institute
  2. 1989
    Resident - NeurosurgeryMedical College of Virginia - Virginia Commonwealth University
  3. 1984
    Internship - General SurgeryMedical College of Virginia - Virginia Commonwealth University
  4. 1983
    MDBoston University School of Medicine
  5. 1983
    BA - Combined six-year program in Medical Education and Liberal ArtsBoston University

Certifications

  1. 1993
    Neurological SurgeryAmerican Board of Neurological Surgery

Awards and honors

  1. 2022
    Mayo Clinic Distinguished Educator AwardMayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
  2. 2018
    Awarded Senior Fellow StatusAcademy of Educational Excellence
  3. 2017
    Dean of EducationMayo Medical School-Arizona, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  4. 2014
    Diamond Quality Fellow Status - Lifetime Achievement AwardMayo Clinic Quality Academy
  5. 2013
    Appointed Medical Director of EducationMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  6. 2012
    Professional Advisory Board MemberEpilepsy Foundation
  7. 2009
    Appointed Associate Dean for Graduate Medical EducationMayo Clinic in Arizona
  8. 2007
    Arizona Partnership for Innovation in Patient Safety (APIPS) AwardHealth Services Advisory Group/Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
  9. 2004
    Top DoctorsPhoenix Magazine
  10. 2003
    Best Doctors in AmericaAwarding Organization
  11. 2002
    Outstanding Service RecognitionArizona State Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants
  12. 2002
    Top DoctorsPhoenix Magazine
  13. 2001
    Who's Who National RegistryAwarding Organization
  14. 1991
    Who's Who Among Rising Young AmericansAwarding Organization
  15. 1990
    Who's Who in Health and Medicine ServicesAwarding Organization
  16. 1989
    Neurovascular FellowBarrow Neurological Institute
  17. 1987
    Bigger-Lehman Research AwardVirginia Surgical Society
  18. 1987
    GM Neurotrauma Research Award, 2nd placeCollege of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
  19. 1985
    House Staff Council PresidentMedical College of Virginia
  20. 1985
    Clinical Head Injury FellowMedical College of Virginia
  21. 1983
    Summa Cum LaudeCollege of Liberal Arts, Boston University
  22. 1983
    Award and Stipend for a Clinical Research ClerkshipAmerican Heart Association
  23. 1983
    Boston University School of Medicine Award for Scholastic Achievement and General ExcellenceBoston University School of Medicine
  24. 1979
    Merit ScholarshipTel Aviv University

Professional memberships

  1. 2014
    Guest ExaminerOral Examinations, American Board of Neurological Surgery
  2. 2013 - present
    MemberScientific Publications Oversight Committee
  3. 2012 - present
    Board MemberProfessional Advisory Board, Epilepsy Foundation
  4. 2011 - present
    Vice ChairEducation Committee, Executive Operations Team - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  5. 2009 - 2011
    MemberMayo Clinic Program in Professionalism and Bioethics, Mayo Clinic Committees
  6. 2009 - present
    ChairGraduation Education Committee, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  7. 2009 - present
    MemberGraduate Medical Education Committee, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  8. 2009 - present
    MemberEducation Committee, Executive Operations Team - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  9. 2009 - present
    MemberGraduation Education Committee, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  10. 2008 - present
    MemberExecutive Operations Team - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  11. 2007 - present
    ChairQuality & Process Improvement Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  12. 2007 - present
    MemberQuality & Process Improvement Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  13. 2007 - present
    Board MemberNeuropathy Action Foundation
  14. 2004 - 2007
    MemberAdministrative Committee of the Board, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  15. 2004 - present
    MemberMedical Advisory Board, Trigeminal Neuralgia Association
  16. 2003 - 2007
    ChairMayo Clinic Quality Care Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Advisory Group, Mayo Clinic Committees
  17. 2003 - 2006
    Vice ChairFinance Committee, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  18. 2003 - present
    MemberMayo Clinic Quality Care Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Advisory Group, Mayo Clinic Committees
  19. 2002 - 2007
    MemberDecision Support Advisory Committee, Mayo Clinic Committees
  20. 2002 - 2006
    ChairDecision Support System Steering Committee, Decision Support Systems Committee, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  21. 2002 - 2003
    MemberSurgical Site Identification Workgroup, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
  22. 2001 - 2007
    Vice ChairClinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  23. 2001 - 2007
    MemberPatient Safety Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  24. 2001 - 2007
    MemberOutpatient Practice Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  25. 2001 - 2007
    MemberClinical Practice Advisory Group, Mayo Clinic Committees
  26. 2001 - 2006
    ChairPatient Safety Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  27. 2001 - 2006
    MemberFinance Committee, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  28. 2001 - 2003
    MemberAdvisory Committee on Patient Safety, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
  29. 2000 - 2006
    MemberDecision Support System Steering Committee, Decision Support Systems Committee, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  30. 2000 - 2002
    MemberEthics Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  31. 2000 - 2002
    MemberJCAHO - Continuous Survey Readiness (CSR) Advisory Committee, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
  32. 2000 - present
    MemberStroke Service Executive Committee, Mayo Clinic Hospital
  33. 1999 - 2003
    MemberMayo Foundation Quality Executive Committee, Mayo Clinic Committees
  34. 1999 - 2001
    Vice ChairPhysician Assistant Board for the State of Arizona
  35. 1999 - 2000
    MemberDiversion Committee, Arizona Board of Medical Examiners/ Joint Board on the Regulation of Physician Assistants
  36. 1998 - 2007
    ChairHospital Practice Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  37. 1998 - 2007
    ChairQuality Oversight Subcommittee, Hospital Practice Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona
  38. 1998 - 2007
    MemberHospital Practice Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  39. 1998 - 2007
    MemberQuality Oversight Subcommittee, Hospital Practice Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona
  40. 1998 - 2007
    MemberAccreditation and Regulatory Subcommittee - Arizona, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  41. 1998 - 2002
    ChairAccreditation and Regulatory Subcommittee - Arizona, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  42. 1998
    MemberCredentials Committee, Scottsdale Healthcare Shea
  43. 1997 - 1999
    MemberInformation Technology Committee, Executive Operations Team - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  44. 1996 - 2007
    MemberClinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  45. 1996 - 2005
    MemberAmerican College of Physician Executives
  46. 1996 - present
    MemberNorth American Skull Base Society
  47. 1996 - present
    MemberAANS/CNS Joint Cerebrovascular Section, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
  48. 1995 - 2001
    FellowAmerican College of Surgeons
  49. 1995 - 1996
    MemberEthics Committee, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
  50. 1994 - 2002
    MemberPhysician Assistant Board for the State of Arizona
  51. 1994 - 1999
    MemberBy-Laws Committee, Scottsdale Memorial Hospital North
  52. 1994 - 1997
    MemberSurgery Committee, Scottsdale Memorial Hospital North
  53. 1994 - 1997
    MemberCredential Committee, Scottsdale Memorial Hospital North
  54. 1994 - 1996
    MemberMembership Committee, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
  55. 1994 - 1996
    MemberYoung Neurosurgeons Committee, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
  56. 1993 - 1997
    MemberExecutive Committee, Scottsdale Memorial Hospital North
  57. 1993 - 1997
    MemberAllied Health Committee, Scottsdale Memorial Hospital North
  58. 1993 - 1995
    MemberClinical Practice Committee, Department of Neurology
  59. 1993 - 1995
    MemberCoordinating Committee, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  60. 1992 - 1997
    MemberEpilepsy Committee, Scottsdale Memorial Hospital North
  61. 1992 - 1994
    MemberEthics Committee, Scottsdale Memorial Hospital Osborn
  62. 1992 - present
    MemberAmerican Association of Neurological Surgeons
  63. 1991 - 1993
    MemberExecutive Committee of the Medical Staff, Meridian Point Rehabilitation Hospital
  64. 1991 - present
    MemberCongress of Neurological Surgeons
  65. 1990 - 1993
    Education CoordinatorDepartment of Neurologic Surgery
  66. 1990 - 1992
    MemberCritical Care Committee, Scottsdale Memorial Hospital North
  67. 1990 - 1991
    MemberTrauma Committee, Scottsdale Memorial Hospital Osborn
  68. 1990 - present
    MemberArizona Neurosurgical Society
  69.  
    ChairAllied Health Committee, Scottsdale Memorial Hospital North
  70.  
    ChairSurgical Site Identification Workgroup, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association