Dr. Irene Say is a neurosurgeon who cares for patients with diseases of the spine, including traumatic, cancer-related and degenerative spine disorders. She specializes in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery, with a focus on techniques that preserve the ability to move, neuronavigation (computer-assisted neurosurgery) and robotic surgery (computer-assisted systems that enhance precision and control).
Say's research focuses on developing minimally invasive neurosurgery techniques as well as best practices and guidelines to improve neurosurgical care. She is a recipient of the Carl Akins Risk Management Grant, which supports her study of spinal cord emergencies.
Say earned her medical degree from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. She completed a residency in neurosurgery at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. She completed a fellowship in orthopedic spine surgery at the University of California, Irvine and a fellowship in spinal neurosurgery at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Say serves as director of spine neurosurgery at Regional Medical Center of San Jose. The excellence of her patient care has been recognized by UMass Health System's Patient and Family Advisory Councils. She is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, North American Spine Society and Cervical Spine Research Society.
