About us
Southern California Brain & Spine Surgery is dedicated to providing the most advanced treatment options and highest quality of care for patients with disorders of the brain, spine, or peripheral nerves.
- (213) 369-4583
- Monday - Friday
- 9 am - 5 pm
Dr. Moksha Ranasinghe
Dr. Moksha Ranasinghe MD, FAANS was born and raised in Sri Lanka. During her childhood, she developed a love for medicine and patient care through volunteer work at the local hospital where her mother worked as a pharmacist
Background
Dr. Moksha Ranasinghe was born and raised in Sri Lanka. During her childhood, she developed a love for medicine and patient care through volunteer work at the local hospital where her mother worked as a pharmacist. At the age of nine, she was already gaining incredible hands-on experience while working in the war fields during the tragic Sri Lankan civil war with the Red Cross treating victim’s. She also worked at a home for residents with brain and spine injury where she developed her passion for treating brain and spine disorders.
Masters
She successfully ranked at the top of her country for the sciences allowing her admission with a full scholarship to Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she obtained her Bachelor of Science (B. S.) degree. She then obtained her Medical Degree (M. D.) from Dartmouth Medical School. During medical school, she was awarded the Norris Cotton Cancer Center Fellowship to pursue brain tumor research with Dr. E. A. Chiocca at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard Medical School.
Practice
She completed her neurosurgery residency training with Chairman Dr. Robert Harbaugh and a fellowship in Functional Neurosurgery with Dr. James McInerney at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. She moved to Southern California in 2015 and has been dedicated to serving the Los Angeles community.
Work
She is affiliated with Good Samaritan Hospital Los Angeles, California Hospital, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital and Beverly Hospital. She is board certified through the American Board of Neurological Surgery.
Our clients say
Raul Tellez
Review from healthgrade.com
Due to a fall, I had C3 & C5 crushed disc replacement with Titanium Disc and Plate with 6 screws in my spine. Prior to surgery, I had excruciating pain on Left & Right shoulders, arms, and hands. Dr. Ranasinghe explained in detail the injury damage, the course of repair, recovery, and follow up therapy if indicated. Her approach was compassionate yet direct, honest & immediate. Dr. Ranasinghe was very thorough ensuring I had a good MRI and required evaluation of all my history. She saved my life and I have no pain!
Tom D’Alessandro
Review from healthgrade.com
I first saw Dr. Ranasinghe when I could no longer walk. She sent me over to the emergency at Whittier Presbyterian Hospital where after a cat scan diagnosed me with spinal stenosis. I found myself in surgery immediately. Thanks to her and her scheduling of rehabilitation I am walking again. Thanks Again Doc!
Grey felix
Review from healthgrade.com
Her diagnostics skills are excellent. She takes time to explain things and listens to all concerns & responds with detailed answers. She is meticulous in her planning and surgical strategy. Her measures for mitigating potential complications are first rate. Most important is her exceptional skills as a Neurosurgeon. I had a complex C spine Laminectomy and the outcome was 100% successful. I feel better than I have in 3 years. Recovery has been fast. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dr. Ranasinghe.
Fields of excellence
Training / Education
- 2010-2011 Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery Chief Resident Neurosurgery Hershey, PA
- 2009-2010 Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery Functional & Stereotactic Neurosurgery Fellowship Hershey, PA
- 2005-2011 Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery Neurosurgery Residency Hershey, PA
- 2004-2005 Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Department of General Surgery General Surgery Internship Hershey, PA
- 2000-2004 Dartmouth College of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Hanover, NH
- 1995-1999 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Bachelor of Science in Biology (GPA 4.9) Cambridge, MA
Awards
- 2001 Norris Cotton Cancer Center Research Award provided by Dartmouth Medical School for research performed with Dr. E. A. Chiocca at M ssachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- 2000-2004 Academic Excellence Scholarship, Dartmouth Medical School
- 1995-1999 Academic Excellence Scholarship, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- 1995 Nationwide Highest Scores for Advanced Level Exams in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- 1994 Academic Excellence Scholarship, British School in Colombo, Sri Lanka
- 1993 Francis Attapattu Memorial Academic Scholarship, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Professional Societies
- 2015-Present: California Association of Neurological Surgeons
- 2004-Present: American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- 2004-Present: Congress of Neurological Surgeons
- 2004-2015: Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society
- 2004-Present: Women in Neurosurgery
Volunteer Experience / Activities
- 2014 SPCA Harrisburg, volunteer
- 2010- Present Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Committee of Admissions
- 2000- 2004 Member of Dermatomes (Dartmouth Medical School Acapella Group)
- 1999 Eighth grade Biology Teacher and Academic Advisor to students applying to college in US and UK, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- 1999 Acupuncture clinic and medical volunteer at Colombo South General Hospital, Colombo, SriLanka
- 1998- 1999 Associate Advisor to freshmen at MIT
- 1996- 1999 Associate Editor— The Tech (MIT school newspaper)
- 1998 Publicity Officer—Undergraduate Association at MIT (Student Government)
- 1997- 1999 Tutor and big sister—Hawthorn Youth & Community Service Center with Circle K
- 1996- 1999 MIT Concert Choir (Alto)
- 1990- Present Sri Lanka Red Cross Society: Trained in EMS activities and active in public health projects while in Sri Lanka until 1999, during the civil war
- 1990- Present Saukyadana (Health Aid) Society, Sri Lanka: Volunteer/coordinator of public health projects in rural Sri Lanka
Publications
- Hussain N, Ranasinghe M, Zalatimo O, McInerney J. Use of Intraoperative Cultures to Predict Infection Risk in Patients Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulator Placement. Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery.
- Ranasinghe M, Zalatimo O, Farace E, McInerney J (2013) Functional Outcome Following Gamma Knife Radiosurgery For Medically Intractable Essential Trigeminal Neuralgia. JSM Neurosurg Spine. 2014 1(1): 1006
- Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Iantosca M, Harbaugh RE. Impact of Improved Documentation on an Academic Neurosurgical Practice. JL Neurosurgery. 2014 Mar;120(3):756-763.Mar 2014 / Vol. 120 / No. 3 / Pages 756-763
- Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M,Dias M, Iantosca M. Novel Technique For Treatment Of Depressed Skull Fractures In Neonates Using Synthes Plating System. JL Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. 2012 Jun;9(6):676-679.
- Ranasinghe M,Zalatimo O, Rizk E, Specht CS, Reiter GT, Harbaugh RE, and Sheehan J. Idiopathic Hypertrophic Spinal Pachymeningitis. JL Neurosurgery: Spine. 2011 Aug;15(2):195-201.
- Ranasinghe MG, Sheehan JS. Surgical management of brain metastases. Neurosurgery Focus.2007 Mar 15;22(3):E2.
- Inoue R, Asadi Moghaddam K, Ranasinghe M,Saeki Y, Chiocca EA, Wade-Martins R. Infectious delivery of the 132 kb CDKN2A/CDKN2B genomic DNA region results in correctly spliced gene expression and growth suppression in glioma cells. Gene Ther. 2004 Aug;11 (15) : 1195-2004.
- Cangi MG, Cukor B, Soung P, Signoretti S, Moreira G, Ranasinghe M, Cady B, Pagano M, Loda M. Role of the cdc25A Phosphatase in Breast Cancer. J Clin Invest. 2000 106(6): 753-761.
- Ranasinghe M. Probing the LNCaP prostate cancer library for interactants with cytoplasmic domains of heparin binding epidermal growth factor and amphiregulin. Biology Undergraduate Journal, MIT 1999.
- Ranasinghe M, Zalatimo O, Farace E, and McInerney J. Evaluation of Functional Outcome Following Gamma Knife Radiosurgery For Essential Trigeminal Neuralgia. Under revision prior to submission
Presentations
- McInerney J, Zalatimo O, Meadowcroft M, Kang W, Ranasinghe M, Ferenci M, Rupprecht S, Connor J, and Harbaugh RE. Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for the Treatment of Aneurysms. 17thInternational Leksell Gamma Knife Society Meeting 2014. New York, NY
- Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, and McInerney J. Use of Intraoperative Cultures in Predicting Infection Risk in Patients Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulator Placement. Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society 2011. Hershey, PA
- Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Farace E, and McInerney J. Frame Versus Frameless Technique For Deep Brain Stimulation: Cognitive Outcomes. Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society 2010. Hershey, PA
- McInerney J, Ranasinghe M, Zalatimo O, Farace E. Age Over 70 Does Not Preclude Good Outcomes in Patients Implanted With the Deep Brain Stimulators. American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, June 2010 meeting in New York, NY
- McInerney J, Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Farace E. No Differences in Outcomes for Frameless Techniques Compared to Stereotactic Frame Use in Deep Brain Stimulation Implantation. American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, June 2010 meeting in New York, NY
- Farace E, Ranasinghe M, Zalatimo O, McInerney J. Predictors of Neurocognitive Impairment Following Deep Brain Stimulator Implantation for Essential Tremor. American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, June 2010 meeting in New York, NY
- Farace E, Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, McInerney J. Depression as a Predictor of Poor Outcome from Deep Brain Stimulation. American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, June 2010 meeting in New York, NY
- Ranasinghe MG, Zalatimo O, Farace E, and McInerney J. Functional Outcome Following Gamma Knife Radiosurgery For Essential Trigeminal Neuralgia. Leksell Gamma Knife Society Meeting, May 2010. Athens, Greece
- Ranasinghe MG, Hill, KH, Rivas S, Dias M, Iantosca M. Novel technique for treatment of depressed skull fractures in infants using Synthes plating system. American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons (ASPN) January 2009 meeting in Kohala Coast, Hawaii
- Farace E, Ranasinghe M, Sheehan JM. Effect of resection on neurocognitive function in patients with Brain metastases. Society of Neuro-Oncology, November 2008 meeting in Las Vegas, NV
- McInerney J, Ranasinghe MG, Jennings T, Farace E. Cognitive improvement following deep brain stimulator placement for treatment of movement disorders. Congress of Neurologic Surgeons, September 2008 meeting in Orlando, FL
- Ranasinghe M, Melikyan Z, Farace E, Sheehan JM. Effect of resection on neurocognitive function in patients with brain metastases. Congress of Neurologic Surgeons, September 2008 meeting in Orlando, FL
- Harbaugh RE, Smith PA, Ranasinghe MG.Management of Acute Neurological Deterioration Following Carotid Endarterectomy. Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society meeting, July 2007 in Hershey, PA
- Inoue R, Asadi Moghaddam K, Ranasinghe M, Saeki Y, Chiocca EA and Wade-Martins R. Infectious delivery of the 132 kb CDKN2A/CDKN2B genomic DNA region results in correctly spliced gene expression and growth suppression in glioma cells. Travel Prize Award. Sixth Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene Therapy, June 2003 meeting in Washington DC
- Inoue R, Asadi Moghaddam K, Ranasinghe M, Saeki Y, Chiocca EA and Wade-Martins R. Infectious delivery of the 132 kb CDKN2A/CDKN2B genomic DNA region results in suppression of growth in glioma cells. Abstract; Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, April 2003 meeting in Toronto, Canada
- Wade-Martins R, Inoue R, Asadi-Moghaddam K, Ranasinghe M, Chiocca EA, Saeki Y. The iBAC: an efficient high capacity genomic DNA expression system for human cells. 52ndAnnual Meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, October 2002, meeting in Baltimore, MD
- Asadi-Moghaddam K, Ranasinghe M, Chiocca EA, Saeki Y and Wade-Martins, R. Infectious delivery of the 132 kb CDKN2A / CDKN2B complex genomic region. Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene Therapy, June 2002, meeting in Boston, MA
- Gaston S, Lin J, Adam R, Kamei C, Riordan C, Lin G, Ranasinghe M., Guthrie P, Freeman M. Pro-HBEGF and pro-amphiregulin in prostate cancer: Protein interactions involving the cytoplasmic “tail” domains. Oral Presentation and Abstract: 94th Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association, May 1999, meeting in Dallas, TX
Posters
- Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Parkar A, Lieu C, Subramanian T, Gluckman B, Schiff S, and McInerney J. Neuronal Degeneration Following Deep Brain Stimulator Insertion in Primates. American Association of Neurological Surgeons 2012. New Orleans, LA
- Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Nolt M, and McInerney J. How Accurate is the StarFix Frameless DBS System? American Association of Neurological Surgeons 2012. New Orleans, LA
- Zalatimo O,Ranasinghe M, Parkar A, Lieu C, Subramanian T, Gluckman B, Schiff S, and McInerney J. Neuronal Degeneration Following Deep Brain Stimulator Insertion in Primates. Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society 2012. Hershey, PA Poster Award Winner
- Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Nolt M, and McInerney J. How Accurate is the StarFix Frameless DBS System? Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society 2012. Hershey, PA
- Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Parkar A, Lieu C, Subramanian T, Gluckman B, Schiff S, and McInerney J. Neuronal Degeneration Following Deep Brain Stimulator Insertion in Primates. American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery 2012. San Francisco, CA
- Stone J, Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Farace E, and McInerney J. Clinical Outcomes of Deep Brain Stimulation Patients as a function of Angle of Target of Approach. American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery 2012. San Francisco, CA
- Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Nolt M, and McInerney J. How Accurate is the StarFix Frameless DBS System? American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery 2012. San Francisco, CA
- Parkar A, Subramanian T, Lieu C, McInerney J, Ranasinghe M, Zalatimo O, Schiff S, and Gluckman B. Axonal Degeneration from Implanted Neural Electrodes in Non-Human Primates. Society for Neuroscience 2011. Washington, DC
- Farace E, Ranasinghe M, Zalatimo O, and McInerney J. Depression As a Predictor Of Poor Outcome From Deep Brain Stimulation In Parkinson Disease. Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2011. Washington, DC
- Farace E, Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Kim W, and McInerney J. Age Over 70 Does Not Preclude Good Outcomes In Patients Implanted With Deep Brain Stimulator. Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2011. Washington, DC
- Farace E, Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Davies G, and McInerney J. Predictors Of Neurocognitive Impairment Following Deep Brain
- Stimulator Implantation For Essential Tremor. Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2011. Washington, DC
- Farace EM, Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M and McInerney J. No Difference In Outcomes For Frameless Techniques Compared To Stereotactic Frame Use In Deep Brain Stimulation Implantation. Congress Of Neurological Surgeons 2011. Washington, DC
- Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, and McInerney J. Predictive Value Of Intraoperative Cultures In Deep Brain Stimulator Infections. American Association of Neurological Surgeons 2011. Denver, CO
- Ranasinghe M, Zalatimo O, Farace E, and McInerney J. Neurocognitive Significance of Number of Cortical Passes during Electrophysiology Monitoring in Deep Brain Stimulator Implantation. Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2010. San Francisco, CA
- Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, and McInerney J. Predictive Value Of Intraoperative Cultures In Deep Brain Stimulator Infections. Penn State Institute of the Neurosciences Retreat 2010. Hershey, PA
- Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Iantosca M, and Dias, M. Novel Technique For Treatment Of Depressed Skull Fractures In Neonates Using Synthes Plating System. Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society 2010. Hershey, PA
- Farace E, Ranasinghe M, Zalatimo O, McInerney J. Predictors Of Neurocognitive Impairment Following Deep Brain Stimulator Implantation For Essential Tremor. American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, June 2010. New York, NY
- McInerney J, Zalatimo O, Ranasinghe M, Farace E. No Differences In Outcomes For Frameless Techniques Compared To Stereotactic Frame Use In Deep Brain Stimulator Implantation. American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, June 2010. New York, NY
- Ranasinghe MG, Lipson AC, McInerney J. Accuracy Of Frameless Stereotactic Navigation For Deep Brain Stimulation Electrode Implantation using a microTargeting Platform. Congress of Neurologic Surgeons, September 2008 meeting in Orlando, FL
- Ranasinghe MG, Lipson AC, Rizk E, Reiter GT, Sheehan JM, Harbaugh K, Harbaugh RE. Idiopathic Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis of the spine: Review of four cases. Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society meeting, July 2008 in Hershey, PA.
- Ranasinghe MG, Harbaugh RE, Iantosca M. Accidental orbitocranial penetrating injuries in children during play. Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society meeting, July 2008 in Hershey, PA
- Ranasinghe MG,Lipson AC, McInerney J. Evaluation of accuracy and precision of frameless stereotactic navigation for deep brain stimulation electrode implantation. American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery meeting, June 2008 meeting in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Ranasinghe MG, McInerney J. Prospective Comparative Study on cost-effectiveness of subthalamic and venterointermediate thalamic stimulation with frame-based and frameless stereotaxy for treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, June 2008 meeting in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Ranasinghe MG,Farace E, McInerney J. Functional outcome following gamma knife surgery for essential trigeminal neuralgia. Leksell Gamma Knife Society annual meeting, May 2008 meeting in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Ranasinghe MG, Melikyan Z, Farace, E, Sheehan J. Postoperative functional outcome in patients with respectable brain metastases. AANS annual meeting, April 2008 in Chicago, IL.
- Ranasinghe M, Iantosca M. Accidental orbitocranial penetration injuries in children during play. Section on Pediatric Neurosurgery annual meeting, November 2007 meeting in Miami, FL.
- Lipson AC, Ranasinghe MG, McInerney J. Stereotactic deep brain stimulator electrode placement for functional neurosurgery: A comparison between the Leksell frame and the FHC microTargeting Platform System. Congress of Neurologic Surgeons, October 2007 meeting in San Diego, CA.
- Ranasinghe M. Probing the LNCaP prostate cancer library for interactants with cytoplasmic domains of HBEGF and amphiregulin. Undergraduate Research Poster Presentation, January 1998 in Boston, MA
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- (213) 369-4583
- Monday - Friday
- 9 am - 5 pm