Advancing patient-centered brain tumor care

Brad Zacharia, MD
Neurosurgeon
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Brad Zacharia, MD, may have discovered Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center by chance while looking for a position to specialize in brain tumors, but the neurosurgeon’s decade-long tenure with the academic medical center has been completely intentional.

“This is an exceptional place to practice medicine, so I’ve never felt the pull to leave,” says Dr. Zacharia, a native New Yorker. “I am fortunate to work with incredible colleagues, who are appreciative and hard working. The department is well managed, and I’ve had the opportunity to develop a multidisciplinary brain tumor team focused on comprehensive patient care.”

Dr. Zacharia’s fascination with the brain began early, making neurosurgery a natural career choice. His passion for operating on brain tumors deepened through the meaningful connections he made with his patients, leading him to oncology.

“My patients are tremendously resilient and inspiring,” he says. “Even though the ultimate outcome may not be what anybody wants, there is so much room to move the field forward. We’re continually making progress by translating leading-edge research into better patient outcomes, and that progress is really rewarding.”