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Nick Galifianakis

MD MPH

Neurologist

Dr. Nicholas Galifianakis is a neurologist who specializes in taking a comprehensive approach to treating Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia and other movement disorders. His tools include deep brain stimulation, botulinum toxin injections and medication.

Galifianakis' research interests include outcomes in deep brain stimulation for patients with Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, such as with the use of new interventional MRI techniques. He also is interested in defining types of essential tremor and developing more complete models of care for advanced Parkinson's disease.

Galifianakis earned his medical degree and completed a neurology residency at the University of Southern California, where he served as chief resident. He completed a movement disorders fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and UCSF.

Galifianakis also sees patients at the Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center in San Francisco, a Veterans Affairs center of excellence. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

  • Education

    University of Southern California (USC), 2003

  • Residencies

    USC Medical Center, Neurology, 2007

  • Fellowships

    University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Neurology, 2008

  • Board Certifications

    Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

  • Academic Title

    Associate Professor

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    406 Ratings
    About our process
    Nov 12, 2023
    Dr. Galifianakis has been treating me for some time now for Hemifacial Spasm. The treatment is not straightforward and I appreciate his thought and guidance. He is also open to hearing my thoughts on how this is progressing and what works well to control it. I feel very lucky to be in his care.
    Nov 09, 2023
    Patient easy to talk to good listener when given updates on my sister's status asked about my well being caring for my sister. Overall compassionate understanding & thoughtful.
    Nov 02, 2023
    Excellent experience
    Oct 19, 2023
    Excellent visit . Dr G was wonderful. He listened and explained extensively about the procedure.
    Oct 07, 2023
    Dr. Galifianakis is an incredible physician. He is knowledgeable caring flexible attentive and kind. But his best quality may easily be that he is so approachable and down to earth.
    Oct 05, 2023
    Thank you Dr Galifianakis!
    Sep 23, 2023
    Good
    Sep 21, 2023
    I felt that I was heard and understood during my session. The level of professionalism and empathy was excellent.
    Aug 23, 2023
    Your doctors cared about my concerns and listen to everything I had to say they were awesome
    Aug 20, 2023
    I am very pleased with the care recommendations and suggestions of Dr. G. I would give him an excellent rating.
    Aug 13, 2023
    Care provider was exceptional in many ways.
    Aug 12, 2023
    Dr was very thorough and very informativeConcerned about my condition and answered all my questions
    Aug 12, 2023
    The doctor seemed rushed.
    Jul 01, 2023
    I have reffered my friends to UCSF
    Jun 27, 2023
    The provider was excellent no complaints
    Jun 08, 2023
    He was empathetic kind sincere and thorough. Much appreciated as I am also a healthcare professional
    May 28, 2023
    The best!
    May 22, 2023
    Very nice
    May 20, 2023
    My care was handled very well. Dr. G was knowledgeable about my needs and the treatments available. He was on top of follow-up items - Excellent care!!
    May 07, 2023
    Excellent bedside manner friendly reassuring.
    May 05, 2023
    Lucky I have found Dr. G who has a personal experience with PD and could relate to some of my concerns.
    May 04, 2023
    The doctors that check me out very good and did a thorough evaluation and I am very pleased with the progress
    May 02, 2023
    Dr. G was great. The only problem was that the referrals he gave me were unavailable.
    Apr 20, 2023
    I've never experienced a Doctor like this. He answered all questions. Helped me to understand my essential tremors.Superb!!!
    Apr 14, 2023
    Problem is availability of the care provider
    Apr 14, 2023
    Dr. Galifianakis provides excellent care and comes across as concerned and compassionate for his patients. Would most definitely recommend him to others and am very pleased to be under his care.
    Apr 13, 2023
    Very professional and cordial.
    Apr 07, 2023
    Dr. G is great!
    Apr 06, 2023
    Doctor listened to all of my questions and gave me Answers.
    Apr 05, 2023
    Grateful for the compassionate and professional care from beginning to end of the appointment.
    Apr 05, 2023
    Dr. Galifianakis is an outstanding doctor. He takes the time to answer all of my questions and fully listens to any concerns I may have regarding treatment. He is kind caring and compassionate. He is also very knowledgeable and skilled in his area of expertise.
    Mar 31, 2023
    Outstanding visit. Really nice providers.
    Mar 31, 2023
    Thank you!
    Mar 27, 2023
    I was anxious and doctor relaxed me by explaining solutions.
    Mar 19, 2023
    Excellent support and care. Professional and very concerned about care.
    Mar 18, 2023
    In addition to excellent attention to issues and care regarding my primary condition Dr G engaged in excellent conversation around personal history and experience making for great communication and personal interaction and relationship. Outstanding experience at all levels.
    Mar 13, 2023
    I greatly appreciated the opportunity to speak with Dr. G. I'm still waiting for a follow up to what we discussed so at the moment I can only recommend him for a first visit as he was very kind and informative.
    Mar 02, 2023
    Everything was excellent
    Feb 09, 2023
    I think Dr. G. ThInks I don't have MSA. He thinks my breathing problem Is due to respiratory situation or problem. I think I do have MSA.
    Feb 08, 2023
    Dr. Galifianakis is exceptional in every way.
    Feb 02, 2023
    This was the best dr visit we ever had and I can tell you we've been to a lot of all different kinds. I wish everyone was as good as your team and Dr. G
    Jan 05, 2023
    I was informed that Dr. Galifianakis had to leave to pick up his child at school as soon as I arrived so I immediately felt rushed. I only saw him for a couple of minutes and spent the rest of the time with his fellow. He did not review the information I brought with me. I did not get to ask any questions. Anything he may have said was relayed to me through his fellow after they had a conversation in the hallway and I was not given any opportunity to speak to him directly. I drove several hundred miles to get to this appointment and spent a lot of money on hotels to stay in the area - and it took me years to get sent to a top rate facility like UCSF. I did not at all anticipate being treated dismissively by an institution that I respect greatly after my husband was treated for GBM there several years ago. I left the appointment feeling defeated and hopeless. I understand that things happen and the emergency that caused him to need to leave was unexpected but this was in no way the visit that I was told I would have. His fellow also said that if I had more questions for Dr. G that I could email him through MyChart and he would call me by the end of the day. I did so and haven't heard anything back. He seemed friendly but I had no opportunity to actually discuss anything with him so it's impossible to say I would recommend him to anyone since our interaction was so brief.
    Jan 04, 2023
    Doctor Galifianakis is simply an extraordinary doctor and human being. Can not ask for more.
    Dec 30, 2022
    I appreciate the professional and compassionate care provided by your impressive staff.
    Dec 13, 2022
    DR. G has always been great and we feel like we can talk to him about things almost like a friend.
    Nov 24, 2022
    Dr.G is open and listens well. We did not go over post-op procedures since I have some pre-testing to do.
    Nov 19, 2022
    Dr. Galifianakis is an excellent doctor!
    Nov 18, 2022
    The doctor was very engaged with us and gave very good instructions re medications and after visit procedures.
    Nov 13, 2022
    Excellent
    Nov 04, 2022
    I couldn't ask for a better doctor than Dr. G. He accomplishes so much in such a short amount of time. He listens well and I know he has my best interest at heart. Dr. G always makes me see a clearer picture of what's going on with my health. I feel honored to be his patient.
    Nov 01, 2022
    Dr. Galifianakis is the best!
    Oct 29, 2022
    Very good doctor and nurse
    Oct 28, 2022
    Dr Nicholas is very patient and curing.
    Oct 11, 2022
    The doctor was exceptional!
    Sep 13, 2022
    Dr. G Is an intuitive and compassionate doctor. He's friendly and professional.
    Sep 09, 2022
    Doctor G. Is very professional and a very good listener. He cares about what my concerns are and what I need.
    Sep 09, 2022
    I was there to listen and learn. I've tried everything the neurologists here have to offer. Are there any other options for me? Next steps?
    Aug 27, 2022
    Dr G is the best doctor I've ever had. He listens understands and most importantly provides meaningful and clear instructions.
    Aug 18, 2022
    The physician(s) were honest. He (they) admitted his (their) lack of familiarity with the lab results. It is most appreciated.
    Aug 15, 2022
    Excellent care from Doctor Galifianakis I am very happy to have him as my Doctor.
    Aug 13, 2022
    Dr. G was very thorough and patient with my mom.
    Aug 07, 2022
    Nick is terrific! Where do I sign up? Gold star!
    Aug 06, 2022
    Good experience
    Jul 28, 2022
    We also really both liked and appreciated Dr. Galifianakis.
    Jul 23, 2022
    Dr. Galifianakis is kind generous with his time and super helpful. He listens with great attention to detail communicates clearly and shows a genuine care and desire to help.
    Jul 06, 2022
    Excellence all around!
    Jun 06, 2022
    Dr. "G" has been our movement neurologist for quite awhile now and we appreciate having him
    May 16, 2022
    Dr. Galifianakis listens closely to my experience with my HFS and respects my decision to for now handle it with a small amount of medication versus botox. I appreciate that he listens to me. We are new to one another and I appreciate that he is willing to dialogue with the patient. It helps to be heard!
    Apr 21, 2022
    Remarkably friendly thoughtful and courteous care. I would definitely recommend to other
    Apr 20, 2022
    No comment was made about my blood pressure or making another appointment it seems like everybody was running late
    Apr 15, 2022
    He was very kind friendly and knowledgeable. He made me feel comfortable and at ease.
    Mar 23, 2022
    Excellent experience and support for what will likely be an ongoing issue. I appreciated consulting with the doctor as to a reasonable plan going forward.
    Mar 19, 2022
    Dr. G is tremendously over booked and he offered to get back to me on a medication issue but he hasn't done so. Call backs are very crowded and not often done.
    Mar 16, 2022
    Excellent
    Mar 03, 2022
    Felt confident & reassured about the planned treatments for my handicapped sister. I was well informed of the pros & cons of such treatments.
    Feb 14, 2022
    Exception support from doctor and support team

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