EAST BAY BRAIN & SPINE MEDICAL GROUP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Physician Assistant
- Certified Physician Assistant
Ali Mithani is a board-certified physician assistant (PA-C) with East Bay Brain & Spine Medical Group and BASS Medical Group in Walnut Creek, California. Ali earned his bachelor of science degree in biotechnology from Cal Poly Pomona and went on to complete his masters degree in Physician Assistant studies at Massachusetts General Hospital institute of health care professions. Ali's training in Boston had a strong emphasis on providing care for patients during the preoperative, perioperative and postoperative period. Ali developed a passion for neurosurgery during this time and chose to pursue additional elective rotations in neurosurgery at MGH. Ali takes pride in developing a meaningful connection with his patients and providing them with the best care possible. Ali stays up to date with the latest advancements in the field of neurosurgery by reviewing medical literature, attending conferences and collaborating with Dr. Merkow. When he is not in the OR or clinic, Ali can be found enjoying the little things in life such as a date with his fiance, playing with his nephews/cat, or tea time with his mom.
Dr. Benjamin Yim is a dual-trained cerebrovascular neurosurgeon with East Bay Brain & Spine Medical Group and BASS Medical Group. He has privileges at John Muir Medical Center-Walnut Creek Campus. Dr. Yim has a particular interest in endovascular and open cerebrovascular approaches to intracranial vascular pathologies - complex aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, arteriovenous fistula, Moyamoya disease, intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages, subdural hemorrhages, cervical and intracranial carotid stenosis, vascular tumors, intracranial venous hypertension, and brain tumors. He also performs spinal decompression and stabilization procedures for the full spectrum of spinal pathologies through a minimally invasive approach when appropriate.
Dr. Yim received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Johns Hopkins University and obtained his medical degree from Albany Medical College where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Society. He completed his neurological surgery residency at Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and the Los Angeles County General Hospital. He further specialized by completing a CAST-accredited neuroendovascular fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and an open cerebrovascular fellowship at Stanford University.
He has published research and chapters on ischemic stroke, trans-radial endovascular approaches, cerebral aneurysms, Moyamoya disease, and various cerebrovascular pathologies in Stroke, Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery, Neurosurgical Focus, and World Neurosurgery with several presentations at national conferences. He serves as a review editor in Frontiers in Neurology.
His approach is to consider each patient's unique clinical, anatomic, and personal factors to collectively develop a customized management for their diagnosis.
Job Titles:
- Physician Assistant
- Certified Physician Assistant
Ehsan Ejaz is a board-certified physician assistant with a passion for neurophysiology and neurosurgery. Ehsan received his B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at UC Davis where he conducted extensive research at the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M.I.N.D.) Institute at UC Davis and the Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospital.
Ehsan began gaining experience as a surgical neurophysiologist at Yale New-Haven Hospital. He has conducted over 2000 intraoperative neuromonitoring consultations on a wide variety of cases. Keen to further his passion for neurosurgery and patient care, Ehsan then completed his Masters in Physician Assistant Studies at Samuel Merritt University. Ehsan's philosophy for patient care involves empowering patients as equal members of their health care team, as patients are their own best advocates.
Ehsan practices evidence-based medicine. He stays abreast of the latest developments and research by reviewing medical and neurosurgical literature as well as attending conferences. When he is not at the bedside or in the operating room, Ehsan can be found traveling to new places, hiking California's expansive state parks, or capturing the perfect Milky Way photograph.
Job Titles:
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Assistant at East Bay Brain & Spine / BASS Neurosurgery Division
As a dedicated Medical Assistant at East Bay Brain & Spine/BASS Neurosurgery Division, Fraz Zia is driven by a profound passion for medicine and an unwavering commitment to enhancing patient well-being. With each day, he strives to provide compassionate care and support to our patients, while continuously expanding his medical knowledge as an aspiring medical student. Fraz aspires to explore the intricate world of healthcare, fostering empathy and contributing to the health and happiness of the patients. Beyond the clinic, you'll find him exploring scenic hiking trails, indulging in diverse culinary experiences, and cherishing quality moments with his family.
Kyleigh's passion for helping others fueled her career choice. This trait also explains her steadfast compassion, which combined with excellent communication skills helps our patients navigate their complex problems. East Bay Brain & Spine/BASS Neurosurgery is fortunate to have Kyleigh as part of our team. In Kyleigh's spare time she loves to travel, craft and spend time with her family.
McKenna Gin is a board-certified Physician Assistant. She was born and raised in the East Bay Area. McKenna earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Biomedicine at the University of Arizona in 2018. She graduated as a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta Medical Society. During her time spent at the University of Arizona, she worked as a Medical Scribe in the Emergency Department at Tucson Medical Center.
After graduating from University of Arizona, McKenna moved back home to San Ramon, California where she continued her work as a Medical Scribe in order to continue her medical experience while applying to PA schools. She then received her Master of Physician Assistant from Samuel Merritt University in 2021, where she also was rewarded the Academic Excellence Award for receiving a 4.0 during her didactic year. During her training in PA school, she completed a total of twelve different clinical rotations, three of which had hands-on surgical experience. McKenna was then hired at Stanford Health Care in May 2022 as an Inpatient Neurosurgery Physician Assistant. She is passionate about Neurosurgery for its fast-paced, innovative and challenging nature.
McKenna chose to pursue the PA profession because of its collaborative, team-based approach to medicine, ability to provide patients with high quality care and the strive for continuing medical education. Her philosophy for patient care is treating all patients with compassion, respect and prioritizing their healthcare goals. Outside of her work, McKenna enjoys HIIT exercise classes, playing pickle ball, traveling and spending time with loved ones.
Job Titles:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Adult - Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Michael Leininger is an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) who earned his Bachelor of Science degree from San Jose State University in 2014. Michael then went on to receive his Master of Science in Nursing and Nurse Practitioner degree from Georgetown University in 2020, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Prior to joining BASS Medical Group, Michael worked as a registered nurse for seven years, specializing in critical care and emergency medicine. He began his career as a nurse practitioner during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, working in San Francisco, California, and specializing in the care of the critically ill. He joined John Muir Health in 2022, where he continues to work as an NP specializing in neurosurgery. Michael cares deeply about his work and has always believed in providing holistic, safe, patient-centered care. In his free time, Michael enjoys archery, exercise, spending time with his family, and caring for his precious puppy, Hugo.
Job Titles:
- Physician Assistant
- Certified Physician Assistant
Taylor Cuenin, a board-certified Physician Assistant, was born and raised in the East Bay Area. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior from UC Davis in 2019. Taylor was a Division I student-athlete and graduated as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
After leaving UC Davis, Taylor moved to Denver, Colorado where she worked as an Emergency Medical Technician and as a Physical Therapy Technician in order to gain hands-on experience in the healthcare field while applying to PA schools. She then relocated to New York City where she went on to receive her Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants from Weill Cornell Medical College in 2023. During her training, Taylor completed fifteen clinical rotations, six of which had a surgical emphasis. Taylor chose to become a PA because of the collaborative nature of the profession and because of the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of patients while committing to lifelong learning and professional development.
Taylor's philosophy for patient care involves fostering meaningful connections with patients built on compassion, communication, and mutual respect. She will always strive to enhance her clinical skills and knowledge for the benefit of her patients. Outside of work, you can find Taylor skiing or hiking in Tahoe, competing in triathlons, and spending time with friends in San Francisco where she currently lives.
Job Titles:
- Medical Assistant
- Certified Medical Assistant
Wendy is a certified medical assistant who has been part of the healthcare field for over 10 years. She consistently demonstrates her commitment to enhancing the patient experience through her compassionate approach and dedication to maintaining a welcoming and supportive healthcare environment. Wendy's ability to stay calm under pressure and think on her feet makes her an excellent asset to Eastbay Brain Spine/Bass Division. In her free time she loves to bake, hike, travel and spend quality time with family and friends.
Yadira brings a passion for helping those in need to East Bay Brain & Spine/BASS Neurosurgery Division. The practice and our patients benefit from her diligence, sensitivity, and caring attitude. She is an integral member of our team. In her free time Yadira likes to enjoy time with her friends and family, explore new hiking trails, and try new recipes.