Dr. Roberto Heros, MD is a Neurosurgeon practicing at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami, FL, dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive Neurosurgical care for older adults. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in senior health, Dr. Heros understands the unique needs of this population and collaborates closely with primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure the most effective and holistic treatment plans. He is a highly experienced and skilled neurosurgeon with a focus on providing exceptional care for older adults (typically 65 and over), expertly diagnosing and surgically treating a wide range of complex neurological conditions common in this demographic, such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and brain tumors. Dr. Heros's approach prioritizes patient-centered care, fostering open communication and collaboration to empower each patient to actively participate in their own health journey. He is currently welcoming new patients and encourages you to call (305) 243-5302 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Heros's extensive experience, spanning over 55 years, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence in neurosurgical care. A graduate of the University of Tennessee's Medical School, he completed his Neurosurgical Residency at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), subsequently holding esteemed positions at Harvard, University of Minnesota, and the University of Miami. His significant contributions to the field, including authorship of numerous textbooks and articles, and leadership roles in prestigious organizations such as the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), underscore his profound understanding of cerebrovascular surgery and his dedication to the advancement of neurosurgical knowledge. He is Board Certified in Neurosurgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and offers consultations in Spanish. Dr. Heros's approach is deeply rooted in his belief that patients should be active participants in their care, fostering a strong doctor-patient relationship built on trust and mutual respect.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. Roberto Heros is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Heros is a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive neurosurgical care with a focus on personalized treatment plans. He collaborates closely with primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for complex neurological conditions affecting older adults, including spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and brain tumors. His approach prioritizes understanding each patient's unique needs and goals, ultimately working to maximize comfort, independence, and quality of life.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Roberto Heros can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Cigna
Coventry Health Care
Golden Rule
Humana
Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP)
Mutual of Omaha
Neighborhood Health Plan
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Ambetter
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Emblem Health
- EmblemHealth
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- GEHA
- Government Employees Health Association (GEHA)
- Health Net
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Medicaid
- Midwest Health Plan
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Superior Health Plan
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Roberto Heros provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Nerve Sheath Tumors: Nerve sheath tumors are growths that develop on the protective covering of nerves, sometimes causing pain, numbness, or weakness, and surgery can often remove them, relieving symptoms and improving your quality of life.
- Brain Disorders: Brain disorders can affect seniors in various ways, but advancements in medicine offer many treatment options, from medication to surgery, to help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.
- Spine Deformities: For seniors, spinal deformities can cause significant discomfort and limit daily activities, yet with a collaborative approach involving specialists, treatment can focus on improving comfort and preserving mobility.
- Aneurysm: Think of an aneurysm as a balloon-like swelling in a blood vessel in your brain; sometimes it needs surgical repair to prevent rupture.
- Cerebral Edema: If your loved one is experiencing brain swelling (cerebral edema), know that medical professionals can offer effective treatment options to reduce the swelling and alleviate symptoms, helping to preserve independence and cognitive function.
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak (CSF Leak): If you have a CSF leak, it means there's a hole allowing the protective fluid around your brain and spine to escape, which can lead to headaches and other symptoms; specialized medical care can help seal this leak and alleviate discomfort.
- Vascular Disease: Problems with blood vessels supplying the brain (vascular disease) can result in strokes or other serious events; working with your doctor to manage risk factors and treat existing conditions can protect brain health and help you stay active.
- Cranial Nerve Cancer: Cranial nerve cancer, while serious, is treatable with a multidisciplinary approach potentially including surgery and targeted therapies, and these treatments are designed to control the cancer's growth and improve symptoms, maximizing your comfort and enabling you to enjoy life to the fullest.
- Brain Cancer: If a senior is diagnosed with brain cancer, it's important to remember that supportive care and treatment options are available to manage the disease, alleviate symptoms, and keep them comfortable.
- Stroke: If someone experiences sudden numbness, confusion, or trouble speaking, it could be a stroke, requiring immediate emergency care to minimize brain damage and maximize recovery.
- Spinal Stenosis: As we age, the spaces in our spine can narrow, leading to spinal stenosis, a condition that can cause significant back pain and leg weakness; non-surgical and surgical treatments aim to ease this discomfort and maintain your independence.
- Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): A cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain that can cause bleeding or seizures, but with proper medical care and sometimes surgery, many seniors can manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Roberto Heros offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Herniated Disc Surgery: Herniated disc surgery is a surgical option to alleviate severe back pain and nerve compression caused by a bulging or ruptured disc, improving mobility and quality of life for seniors.
- Spinal Reconstructive Surgery for Deformities: This surgery addresses severe spinal curvature or misalignment, restoring proper spinal alignment and reducing associated pain and nerve compression issues in seniors.
- Skull Base Surgery: As part of a senior's comprehensive care plan, skull base surgery can effectively treat difficult-to-reach conditions impacting the brain and nerves at the skull's base.
- Repair Intracranial Aneurysm: As part of a comprehensive care plan, intracranial aneurysm repair aims to improve quality of life and reduce the risk of debilitating neurological complications for seniors.
- Pituitary Gland Tumor Excision: This surgical procedure aims to precisely remove pituitary gland tumors, relieving pressure on surrounding structures and improving a senior's neurological function.
- Brain Surgery: Brain surgery can help seniors regain lost function and alleviate symptoms caused by a variety of neurological conditions, contributing to their overall well-being.
- Dural Repair or Other Spinal Cord Repair: As part of a comprehensive care plan, spinal cord repair addresses damage to the spinal cord, aiming to restore mobility and reduce discomfort in older adults.
- Craniectomy: To manage conditions causing pressure on a senior's brain, a craniectomy may be used to provide access to the brain, allowing for more effective treatment and improved quality of life.
- Spinal Fusion: Spinal fusion surgery is a procedure that permanently joins two or more vertebrae in the spine to relieve pain and improve stability, offering lasting relief for seniors suffering from spinal stenosis or herniated discs.
- Stereotaxis: For seniors facing conditions like tremors or essential tremor, stereotaxis can assist in delivering deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants with pinpoint accuracy, improving the management of movement disorders.
- Destruction of Brain Tumor: Removing a brain tumor surgically helps manage symptoms like headaches, vision problems, or weakness caused by the tumor's growth.
- Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) Repair: Intracranial AVM repair surgery is a crucial step in preventing future health crises for seniors, ensuring a higher quality of life and increased longevity by addressing a serious condition proactively.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Neurosurgeries in Florida.
Dr. Roberto Heros is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After surgery for nerve sheath tumors, a senior couple felt a renewed sense of security in their home, able to walk through it without the constant pain and numbness that had previously limited their mobility.
- With the guidance of a neurosurgeon, a senior couple found renewed security in their home environment, as the couple's symptoms lessened, allowing them to enjoy quality time together.
- With expert guidance, a senior couple found relief from debilitating back pain, enabling them to enjoy their favorite pastime of walking in the park again with renewed vigor and confidence.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Neurological Surgery (Neurosurgery)
Here are answers to some common questions about Neurosurgical care with Dr. Roberto Heros:
- What is a Neurosurgeon, and how are they different from a Neurologist?
- A neurosurgeon is a medical doctor specializing in surgery of the brain, spine, and nerves. Unlike a neurologist, who diagnoses and treats neurological conditions with medication and non-surgical therapies, a neurosurgeon performs surgical procedures. Often, neurosurgeons and neurologists work together as a team to provide the best possible care.
- Does seeing a neurosurgeon always mean I will need surgery?
- Absolutely not. A neurosurgeon's role includes diagnosing the problem and determining the best course of action, which may not always involve surgery. Dr. Heros often recommends conservative treatments first, such as physical therapy or injections, and only considers surgery when necessary.
- What can I expect during my first consultation with Dr. Roberto Heros?
- Your first consultation with Dr. Heros will be a thorough diagnostic process. It will include a review of your symptoms, a detailed neurological exam, and a careful review of any imaging studies like MRIs or CT scans. This comprehensive evaluation will help determine the best path forward, whether surgical or non-surgical.
- What is spinal stenosis, and how is it treated?
- Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, often due to age-related arthritis, which can put pressure on nerves. Treatment options range from physical therapy and injections to surgery, such as a laminectomy, to relieve pressure on the nerves in more severe cases.
- What is minimally invasive spine surgery?
- Minimally invasive spine surgery, performed by Dr. Heros, is an advanced technique using smaller incisions and specialized instruments. This approach results in less muscle damage, reduced post-operative pain, and a potentially faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
- Can you help with carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Dr. Heros and our team are experts in peripheral nerve issues, including carpal tunnel syndrome. We can diagnose and treat this, often beginning with conservative measures like wrist splints. If symptoms persist, a simple outpatient surgical release can relieve pressure on the nerve.
- How do you treat brain tumors in older adults?
- Dr. Heros and our team develop a highly personalized treatment plan for each patient, considering the specific tumor type and the patient's overall health. Options may include surgical removal, radiation therapy, or observation, always prioritizing maximizing quality of life.
- What is a spinal cord stimulator?
- A spinal cord stimulator is a device, similar to a pacemaker, implanted to help manage chronic back or leg pain. It works by sending mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord, interfering with pain signals before they reach the brain. This is an advanced option for pain that hasn't responded to other treatments.
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
1475 NW 12th Ave
Miami FL 33136
Phone: (305) 243-5302
Dr. Roberto Heros, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1962466987
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Neurosurgeries like Dr. Roberto Heros are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.