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“Dedicated exclusively to the care of children, my clinical and research teams work tirelessly to facilitate and advance world class care and achieve the best possible outcomes for children with neurosurgical needs.”

– Dr. Richard C.E. Anderson

MD, FACS, FAAP

Chiari Malformation – Pediatrics

Spinal Surgery – Pediatrics

Paterson

Ridgewood

Manhattan

Morristown

See all my awards

About Dr. Richard C.E. Anderson

Dr. Richard C.E. Anderson is a leading pediatric neurosurgeon in the Tri-State region and a Clinical Professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He specializes in complex brain and spinal disorders, treating pediatric brain tumors, Chiari malformation, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, tethered spinal cords, craniosynostosis, vascular malformations, and other disorders using state-of-the-art minimally invasive techniques with a patient-centered approach focused on restoring function and improving quality of life.

Meet Dr. Anderson

Dr. Richard C.E. Anderson is a board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon and top spine surgeon based in New Jersey and New York, specializing in pediatric spinal and brain disorders, Chiari decompression, selective dorsal rhizotomy, and minimally invasive pediatric neurosurgery. Recognized as one of the best neurosurgeons in the Tri-State region, he is also a Clinical Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He practices from offices in Ridgewood, Morristown, Paterson, and Manhattan, offering both non-surgical and surgical treatment options designed to reduce pain, restore function, and improve quality of life for pediatric patients.

Dr. Anderson treats a wide range of pediatric neurological conditions, including:

  • Spinal disorders, including scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, tethered spinal cord, and spinal cord and column tumors, require specialized pediatric care
  • Cerebral palsy and spasticity conditions treated with selective dorsal rhizotomy and intrathecal baclofen pump procedures
  • Chiari malformation with minimally invasive decompression techniques
  • Pediatric brain tumors with advanced surgical techniques and immunological research approaches
  • Craniosynostosis and other congenital craniofacial abnormalities require precise surgical correction

He uses the latest advances in pediatric neurosurgical techniques, including minimally invasive surgical approaches, advanced spinal instrumentation and stabilization methods, selective dorsal rhizotomy for spasticity management, and research in brain tumor immunology. His goal is to provide precise treatments tailored to the unique needs of developing pediatric patients while minimizing recovery time and optimizing long-term outcomes.

Training & Education

Dr. Anderson received his undergraduate degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude as the top student in his class. He then earned his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, graduating in the top 5% of the class.

After completing his residency and chief residency in neurosurgery at The Neurological Institute of New York at Columbia University Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Anderson spent a year at the University of Utah-Primary Children’s Medical Center receiving advanced fellowship training in pediatric neurosurgery.

Dr. Anderson’s laboratory and clinical research efforts focus on brain tumor immunology and biomechanics of the pediatric cervical spine. He has published over 150 neurosurgical papers and book chapters for the Journal of Neurosurgery-Pediatrics, Neurosurgery, Clinical Immunology, Journal of Immunology, PloSOne, BMC Cancer, and others.

He participates actively in organized pediatric neurosurgery efforts and is currently on the executive committees of the AANS/CNS Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery and the Society of University Neurosurgeons.

Dr. Anderson has been interviewed and featured in US News and World Report, 201 Magazine, New York Magazine, Wikipedia, and The Bergen Record as well as on television networks including ABC and NY1.

He has received over one hundred invitations to lecture and teach courses at domestic and international academic institutions and conferences. Donating time and expertise to those in need has sent him across the country and the world, including Italy, Spain, Brazil, Turkey, Morocco, and China.

Dr. Anderson is consistently named one of America’s Top Doctors, America’s Top Surgeons, Top Doctors in New Jersey, Top Doctors New York Metro area, Top Doctors in New York Magazine, and annually receives the Patient’s Choice Award.

Areas of Excellence

  • Pediatric spinal disorders including Chiari malformation, scoliosis, instability, and tethered spinal cords
  • Pediatric spasticity including selective dorsal rhizotomy and intrathecal baclofen pumps
  • Pediatric craniofacial disorders including craniosynostosis
  • Pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors
  • Pediatric vascular malformations including arteriovenous malformations, cavernous malformations, and moya moya

Conditions Treated

  • Chiari malformation
  • Scoliosis
  • Tethered spinal cord
  • Selective dorsal rhizotomy
  • Craniosynostosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Brain and spinal cord tumors
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and cavernous malformations
  • Moya moya

Treatments Performed

  • Minimally invasive suboccipital decompression for Chiari malformation
  • Minimally invasive selective dorsal rhizotomy
  • Non-operative and operative correction of scoliosis and spondylolisthesis
  • Release of tethered spinal cord
  • Minimally invasive, endoscopic assisted repair of craniosynostosis
  • Resection of brain and spinal cord tumors
  • Resection and radiosurgical treatment of arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations
  • Bypass surgery for treatment of Moya moya syndrome

Hospital Privileges

In addition to working out of our Ridgewood, Livingston and Paterson offices, Dr. Anderson has the ability to treat and admit patients at the following area hospitals.

  • NYU Langone Health
  • Hackensack UMC
  • St. Joseph’s Health
  • St. Barnabas Medical Center
  • The Valley Hospital

Insurances

  • Aetna Medicare
  • Aetna Meritain & Assure
  • Aetna Signature (1199 & GEHA)
  • Aetna Whole Health
  • Americhoice/UHC Community Plan
  • Clover Medicare – Case by Case exception
  • Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (Blue Card/Suitcase/PPO)
  • Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ (commercial)
  • Horizon Braven Health (PPO, HMO-POS)
  • Braven Medicare Choice PPO
  • Braven Medicare Freedom PPO
  • Braven Medicare Group HMO-POS
  • Braven Medicare Access group HMO-POS
  • Horizon NJ Health
  • Medicare (Part A and Part B)
  • No Fault (New Jersey Motor Vehicle Accidents Only)
  • Omnia (tier 1)
  • Oxford Garden State Health Plan
  • Oxford Health Plan
  • UHC under Empire/NYSHIP plan
  • United HealthCare (commercial, including All Savers) UMR
  • Wellcare Medicaid
  • Worker’s Comp- NJ Only

Dr. Anderson received his undergraduate degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude as the top student in his class. He then earned his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, graduating in the top 5% of the class.

After completing his residency and chief residency in neurosurgery at The Neurological Institute of New York at Columbia University Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Anderson spent a year at the University of Utah-Primary Children’s Medical Center receiving advanced fellowship training in pediatric neurosurgery.

Dr. Anderson’s laboratory and clinical research efforts focus on brain tumor immunology and biomechanics of the pediatric cervical spine. He has published over 150 neurosurgical papers and book chapters for the Journal of Neurosurgery-Pediatrics, Neurosurgery, Clinical Immunology, Journal of Immunology, PloSOne, BMC Cancer, and others.

He participates actively in organized pediatric neurosurgery efforts and is currently on the executive committees of the AANS/CNS Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery and the Society of University Neurosurgeons.

Dr. Anderson has been interviewed and featured in US News and World Report, 201 Magazine, New York Magazine, Wikipedia, and The Bergen Record as well as on television networks including ABC and NY1.

He has received over one hundred invitations to lecture and teach courses at domestic and international academic institutions and conferences. Donating time and expertise to those in need has sent him across the country and the world, including Italy, Spain, Brazil, Turkey, Morocco, and China.

Dr. Anderson is consistently named one of America’s Top Doctors, America’s Top Surgeons, Top Doctors in New Jersey, Top Doctors New York Metro area, Top Doctors in New York Magazine, and annually receives the Patient’s Choice Award.

  • Pediatric spinal disorders including Chiari malformation, scoliosis, instability, and tethered spinal cords
  • Pediatric spasticity including selective dorsal rhizotomy and intrathecal baclofen pumps
  • Pediatric craniofacial disorders including craniosynostosis
  • Pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors
  • Pediatric vascular malformations including arteriovenous malformations, cavernous malformations, and moya moya
  • Chiari malformation
  • Scoliosis
  • Tethered spinal cord
  • Selective dorsal rhizotomy
  • Craniosynostosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Brain and spinal cord tumors
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and cavernous malformations
  • Moya moya
  • Minimally invasive suboccipital decompression for Chiari malformation
  • Minimally invasive selective dorsal rhizotomy
  • Non-operative and operative correction of scoliosis and spondylolisthesis
  • Release of tethered spinal cord
  • Minimally invasive, endoscopic assisted repair of craniosynostosis
  • Resection of brain and spinal cord tumors
  • Resection and radiosurgical treatment of arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations
  • Bypass surgery for treatment of Moya moya syndrome

In addition to working out of our Ridgewood, Livingston and Paterson offices, Dr. Anderson has the ability to treat and admit patients at the following area hospitals.

  • NYU Langone Health
  • Hackensack UMC
  • St. Joseph’s Health
  • St. Barnabas Medical Center
  • The Valley Hospital
  • Aetna Medicare
  • Aetna Meritain & Assure
  • Aetna Signature (1199 & GEHA)
  • Aetna Whole Health
  • Americhoice/UHC Community Plan
  • Clover Medicare – Case by Case exception
  • Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (Blue Card/Suitcase/PPO)
  • Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ (commercial)
  • Horizon Braven Health (PPO, HMO-POS)
  • Braven Medicare Choice PPO
  • Braven Medicare Freedom PPO
  • Braven Medicare Group HMO-POS
  • Braven Medicare Access group HMO-POS
  • Horizon NJ Health
  • Medicare (Part A and Part B)
  • No Fault (New Jersey Motor Vehicle Accidents Only)
  • Omnia (tier 1)
  • Oxford Garden State Health Plan
  • Oxford Health Plan
  • UHC under Empire/NYSHIP plan
  • United HealthCare (commercial, including All Savers) UMR
  • Wellcare Medicaid
  • Worker’s Comp- NJ Only

Honors, Awards & Recognition

See what Dr. Anderson has accomplished over the years.

Awards

  • Patient’s Choice Award (2009-2021)
  • America’s Top Doctor (2010-2021)
  • America’s Top Surgeons (2010-2012)
  • Castle Connolly’s New York Metro Top Doctor (2012-2021)
  • America’s Top Doctors for Cancer (2014)
  • Top Doctors Bergen County (2014-2021)
  • Castle Connolly’s America’s Top Doctors (2015-2021)
  • 201 Family’s Top Doctors (2016-2021)
  • Favorite Kid’s Doctors in NJ (2016-2021)
  • SuperDoctors, New York and Bergen County (2014-2021)

Valley Hospital Affiliate

  • Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award Recipient (2017)
  • Named Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Cranial Neurosurgery (2017)
  • Five-Star Recipient for Cranial Neurosurgery (2017)

Publications

See the research Dr. Anderson has had published.

Patients stories

Ask the Doctor

Recent Videos

Read Dr. Anderson’s Blog Posts

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