Yaser Badr, MD
Neurosurgeon
Dr. Yaser Badr is Director of SNI. He specializes in brain tumors, brain aneurysms, cerebrovascular neurosurgery, endovascular surgery, brain AVMs, and complex and minimally invasive spine surgery. He received his medical degree from Cairo University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Louisiana State University. He completed fellowship training in neuroendovascular neurosurgery at St. John Providence Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. He makes it his to goal to provide his patients with the most advanced brain and spine care using state-of-the-art technology and techniques. Dr. Badr strives to use his extensive training to provide excellent care in all aspects of spine and brain diseases.
Ikenna “IK” Nwachuku, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Ikenna “IK” Nwachuku, MD, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon with Sierra Brain and Spine Institute, caring for patients throughout the greater Los Angeles area. He treats a broad spectrum of spinal conditions, including degenerative disease, spinal stenosis, disc herniations, spinal deformity, trauma, tumors, infections, and complex revision cases. He also evaluates patients with neck and back pain, as well as pain, numbness, weakness, and other symptoms affecting the arms and legs. Dr. Nwachuku earned his medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He then completed advanced fellowship training in spine surgery at NYU Langone Health in New York City. His surgical practice incorporates both traditional and advanced techniques, including minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery, robotic-assisted surgery, advanced navigation, spinal fusion, and motion-preserving cervical and lumbar disc replacement. Dr. Nwachuku believes treatment should be tailored to the individual rather than the imaging alone. He emphasizes clear communication, shared decision-making, and whole-person care, using both non-surgical and surgical options when appropriate. His goal is to help patients better understand their spine health, relieve pain, restore function, and return to the activities that matter most to them.
Enrique Gomez, RN, MSN, AGACNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Enrique Gomez is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in acute care. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where he attended nursing school and graduated with his bachelor's degree at West Coast University in Los Angeles. From there, he specialized in critical care and worked in various intensive care settings including medical, surgical and trauma, as well as the pre-hospital setting as a critical care transport nurse. He received his master's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and joined Sierra Neuroscience Institute shortly after. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, riding his motorcycle, and enjoying the outdoors.
Oliver Rago, MSN, RN, NP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN
Nurse Practitioner
Oliver Rago is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in adult-gerontology acute care. He was born and raised in Southern California. He received his Associate’s degree in Nursing from Mount Saint Mary’s College, his Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton, and his Master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach. Oliver worked in critical care for thirteen years prior to joining Sierra Neuroscience Institute. He also has experience as a nursing clinical instructor, a critical care transport nurse, and a nurse practitioner specializing in outpatient neurology. In his free time Oliver enjoys playing basketball, travelling, music festivals, and spending time with his wife, Erin, and their two dogs, Viggo and Bambi.