John A. Braca III, MD, joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery as the chief of neurosurgery for central and north central Pennsylvania in October of 2023. He oversees clinical operations in the eight Neurological Institute locations that serve Annville, Carlisle, Harrisburg, Hershey, Lancaster, Mechanicsburg, Spring Grove and Williamsport.
Dr. Braca received his medical degree from New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York and completed his undergraduate training with a degree in biological sciences and chemistry at Fordham University in New York. He completed his residency training in neurological surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois, and his post residency, CAST-accredited fellowship training in endovascular and cerebrovascular surgery with Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine at Indiana University in Indianapolis. In addition, Dr. Braca completed an enfolded complex spine surgery, intra-residency fellowship with the Loyola University Medical Center.
Dr. Braca is board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and is a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. He specializes in treating patients with intracranial aneurysms, cerebral and spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), carotid endarterectomy, carotid artery stenting, ischemic stroke intervention, endoscopic minimally invasive skull base surgery, pituitary tumors, brain tumors, spine tumors, degenerative spine disease, cervical myelopathy, motion preservation spine surgery and trigeminal neuralgia/facial pain syndromes.
Prior to joining UPMC, Dr. Braca served as an endovascular neurosurgeon with Tower Health in Reading, Paennsylvania, where he also held an academic position of assistant professor with the department of neurosurgery at the Drexel College of Medicine in Philadelphia.
Specialized Areas of Interest
Board Certifications
American Board of Neurological Surgeons
Hospital Privileges
Professional Organization Membership
Education & Training
- BS, Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Fordham University, 1999
- Masters of Medical Science, Drexel College of Medicine, 2003
- MD (Upper Quintile), New York Medical College, 2007
- Intra-Residency Complex Spine Focused Training, Loyola University Medical Center, 2013
- Neurosurgery Residency, Loyola University Medical Center, 2014
- Endovascular Neurosurgery Fellowship, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University, 2015
- Cerebrovascular Fellowship, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University, 2016
Honors & Awards
- Cor et Manus Award, New York Medical College, 2007
- William Cullen Bryant Award, New York Medical College, 2007
- Neurosurgery Department Award, New York Medical College, 2007
- Alumni Endowed Scholarship, New York Medical College, 2007
- Loyola University Medical Center Magis Award, 2008-14
Media Appearances
UPMC in Central Pa. offers team approach to spine care
Central Penn Business Journal
April 1, 2024
UPMC launches new spine care program in Central Pa.
WHTM-TV.com (Harrisburg, Pa.)
March 25, 2024
Local man suffers strokes after roller coaster ride: A rare but critical warning from doctors
WHP-TV 21 (Harrisburg, Pa.)
November 8, 2023