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Home > WI Providers > Neurosurgeons

Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS

Accepting New Patients

(18 Ratings)

Specializes in: Neurosurgery

McGill University Faculty of Medicine (1979)

Professional interests include: cervical stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral nerve surgery, and more.

1155 N Mayfair Road
Wauwatosa, WI 53226

(414) 955-5990

Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS is a neurosurgeon in Wauwatosa, WI specializing in neurosurgery. He graduated from McGill University Faculty of Medicine in 1979 and has 47 years of experience. Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS is affiliated with Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Regional Health Network, Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital, Froedtert Hospital - Milwaukee and Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital - Menomonee Falls.

Office Locations

1155 N Mayfair Road
Wauwatosa, WI 53226

(414) 955-5990

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Some issues Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS can help you with:

Hydrocephalus

Normally, the brain is bathed in a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid cushions and nurtures the brain cells as it flows around and through the brain. Sometimes, cerebrospinal fluid does not get reabsorbed into the body properly, or a blockage in the brain can stop it from flowing. This causes a buildup of pressure called hydrocephalus. This condition affects a wide range of people, but it is much more prevalent among infants and older adults. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as headaches and blurred vision, and eventually may cause brain damage.

Hydrocephalus is most often treated with an implanted device called a shunt. A shunt is a long, thin tube that is used to drain excess fluid. One end is placed within the brain. The tube runs under the skin, along the neck behind the ear, and to another part of the body where the fluid can be reabsorbed. Most often this is the abdomen, but the chest or other areas can also be used. Shunts have a valve that allows doctors to monitor and control the pressure within the brain. Insertion of a shunt is a surgical procedure that takes one to two hours. Incisions are made in the head and the abdomen, and the shunt is threaded into place before the openings are stitched closed.

In cases where hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage, a procedure called endoscopic third ventriculostomy, or ETV, may be performed. During this procedure, a surgeon makes a dime-sized hole in the skull and uses a thin tube with a camera on the end (called an endoscope) to see inside the brain. The surgeon punctures a hole in the floor of the third ventricle, a fluid-filled space within the brain. The hole provides an opening for cerebrospinal fluid to flow around the blockage, normalizing pressure. The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour and patients can often go home the following day. ETV can provide a permanent and safe alternative to a shunt, but it is only useful for patients whose hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage.

Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to permanently join together two or more vertebrae, the bones in the spine. Certain spinal disorders can lead to instability and pain, and the idea behind spinal fusion is that fusing vertebrae together can both make them stronger and reduce motion, which can sometimes reduce pain.

There are several different types of spinal fusion surgery available, mostly depending on where a patient's pain is located and whether his or her surgeon will perform the procedure through the back, front, or side. In general, a fusion is performed by packing the vertebrae to be fused with grafted bone. This bone may be taken from the patient's hip, may be donated from a cadaver, or it may be a manufactured synthetic material. The bone is placed along the vertebrae, and sometimes, the disc that lies in between the vertebrae is removed and replaced with grafted bone. The bone material will grow and cement the two vertebrae together. After the bone graft is placed, the vertebrae are sometimes held in place with rods, screws, plates, or cages, depending on the weakness of the spine and needs of the graft.

Spinal fusion is a significant surgery and can take three to four hours or more. Recovery is typically two to four days in the hospital. After surgery, it is important to remember that the fusion takes time to grow from the bone graft. So, the actual fusion is not complete for several months. Patients will probably feel somewhat better right away, but it may take a while to feel the full effects of the fusion as the bone grows into place. In the meantime, doctors might have patients wear a brace to protect their spine and keep it properly aligned.

Spinal fusion is not used for all kinds of back pain. Changing the way the spine moves can lead to strain on the other joints in the back, and fusion is only performed when the benefits outweigh the risks. Some spine disorders that are treated with fusion include:

Curvature disorders, such as scoliosis and kyphosis
Degenerative disc disease
Spondylolisthesis, a disorder that causes vertebrae to slip over each other
Significant spinal fractures that cause instability
Weakened spine due to infection or tumor
Some cases of spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column
Chronic lower back pain (although the use of fusion to treat this is controversial)

Regardless of the diagnosis, there is always a possibility of 'failure' with spinal fusion, or of the surgery not fully solving the pain. This is more likely when fusion is used primarily to treat pain instead of structural problems. Patients can improve their chances of a successful outcome by stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, moving their body every day, and following their doctor's instructions for any physical therapy that they are prescribed.

In The News

“The study, conducted by Hopkins neurosurgeon Dan S. Heffez, suggests that spina bifida may result in part from exposure of the spinal cord to the womb's amniotic fluid.”—"SCIENCE / MEDICINE : Spina Bifida Prevention Seen in Prenatal Surgery", Los Angeles Times, May 2025

“She has finally been referred to Dr. Dan S. Heffez, a neurosurgeon who specializes in Chiari and practices at the Wisconsin Chiari Institute.”—"Chrissy needs your help", The Siskiyou Daily News, February 2009

“"I guess if I had a stroke, I would take minocycline on the way to the hospital," said Dan Heffez, a neurosurgeon with the Milwaukee Neurological Institute.”—"Study shows antibiotic may help stroke victims", East Bay Times, October 2007

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS treated as a neurosurgeon in Wauwatosa, WI during 2012 were hospital care, inpatient care and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	19
doctor visit	122
hospital care	118
inpatient care	118

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS treated as a neurosurgeon in Wauwatosa, WI during 2013 were hospital care, inpatient care and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	13
doctor visit	222
hospital care	150
inpatient care	150

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS.

**Gender**
Male	85
Female	132

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	173
Black	26
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	68
From 75 to 84	71
85 and over	19
Less than 65	59

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS in 2013

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	36
Dementia	14
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS treated as a neurosurgeon in Wauwatosa, WI during 2014 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	220
hospital care	249
inpatient care	249

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS.

**Gender**
Male	98
Female	123

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	166
Black	41
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	64
From 75 to 84	53
85 and over	30
Less than 65	74

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS in 2014

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	26
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	30
Dementia	17
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS treated as a neurosurgeon in Wauwatosa, WI during 2015 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	210
hospital care	128
inpatient care	128

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS.

**Gender**
Male	138
Female	202

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	272
Black	40
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	90
From 75 to 84	90
85 and over	42
Less than 65	118

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS in 2015

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	17
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	41
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	32
Dementia	19
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS treated as a neurosurgeon in Wauwatosa, WI during 2016 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	166
hospital care	129
inpatient care	129

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS.

**Gender**
Male	61
Female	103

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	116
Black	37
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	48
From 75 to 84	44
85 and over	16
Less than 65	56

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS in 2016

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	43
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	24
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	27
Dementia	15
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS treated as a neurosurgeon in Wauwatosa, WI during 2017 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	180
hospital care	228
inpatient care	228

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS.

**Gender**
Male	67
Female	109

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	118
Black	38
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	61
From 75 to 84	55
85 and over	23
Less than 65	37

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS in 2017

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	26
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	46
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	27
Dementia	20
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS treated as a neurosurgeon in Wauwatosa, WI during 2018 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	140
hospital care	103
inpatient care	103

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS.

**Gender**
Male	42
Female	75

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	79
Black	25
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	45
From 75 to 84	23
85 and over	16
Less than 65	33

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS in 2018

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	17
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	33
Dementia	23
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	84

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS.

**Gender**
Male	36
Female	40

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	59
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	30
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	27

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS in 2019

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	43
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	32
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS treated as a neurosurgeon in Wauwatosa, WI during 2020 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	60
hospital care	11
inpatient care	11

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS.

**Gender**
Male	36
Female	52

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	65
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	38
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS in 2020

Hypertension	55
High Cholesterol	45
Stroke	17
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	23
Dementia	13
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	91

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS.

**Gender**
Male	29
Female	51

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	66
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	36
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	22

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS in 2021

Hypertension	53
High Cholesterol	45
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	24
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	31

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS.

**Gender**
Male	25
Female	30

**Age**
From 65 to 74	32
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS in 2022

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	24
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	24
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	23

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS.

**Gender**
Male	12
Female	35

**Age**
From 65 to 74	21
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS in 2023

Hypertension	51
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS treated as a neurosurgeon in Wauwatosa, WI were hospital care, inpatient care and diagnostic procedures.

diagnostic procedures	16
doctor visit	129
hospital care	139
inpatient care	139

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS.

**Gender**
Male	52
Female	79

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	17
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	92
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	28
85 and over	12
Less than 65	37
65 to 74	44

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS From 2012 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	9
Osteoporosis	8
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	24
Atrial Fibrillation	5
Cancer	5
Dementia	10

Education & Training

Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS graduated from McGill University Faculty of Medicine in 1979. He completed residency at Johns Hopkins University Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Neurological Surgery and has a state license in Wisconsin.

Medical School: McGill University Faculty of Medicine (1979)

Residency: Johns Hopkins University Affiliated Hospitals (1983)

Board Certification: Neurological Surgery

Licensed In: Wisconsin

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Medical College of Wisconsin

Froedtert Hospital

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Regional Health Network

Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital

Froedtert Hospital - Milwaukee

Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital - Menomonee Falls

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS has a high overall rating with an average of 3.57 out of 5 stars based on 18 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS from all over the web to help you find the right in Wauwatosa, WI.

3.57

Overall Rating

(18 Ratings)

Leave a Review

Reviews From Around The Web

Overall Rating: 5.0 2025-12-19

Patient verified via Press Ganey

I came to Dr Heffez from UW Madison, seeking his expertise in Chiari Malformation and other neurological disorders. The entire experience from my first call to the spine clinic through my appointment with Dr Heffez was clear, smooth, efficient and I feel confident in his appraisal and recommendation. I got in to see Dr Heffez in less than 2 weeks. This would have taken months at UW Health Madison. I also spoke directly to Dr Heffez the entire appointment. In Madison I would have given my history to a resident who would then summarize that information for the more experienced Dr. Top marks for every contact with your health care facility!

Overall Rating: 5.0 2024-04-22

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Amazing. Unprecedented level of care and willingness to get as much done as possible.

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Dan S. Heffez, MD, FRCS. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
KLS Martin L.P.	$37,525 NEURO $6,627	Osteosynthesis $3,264	Neuro Ti $1,417	$26,217
KLS Martin LP	$2,101 $2,101
Globus Medical, Inc.	$254 Spine $254
NUVASIVE, INC.	$219 Thoracolumbar $98	Cervicothoracic $87	Integrated Operative Solutions $25	Biologics $9
Cerapedics Inc.	$99 I-FACTOR PEPTIDE ENHANCED BONE GRAFT $99
Other	$618 Spine $171	Spinal Implant $94	Zodiac $66	Spinal Fusion Device $43	Surgical planning and navigation radiation treatment planning and positioning $37	Other $208

**Types of Payments**
Royalty or License	$39,602
Food and Beverage	$1,035
Education	$99
Travel and Lodging	$80

Biography

Dr. Dan Heffez's medical specialty is general surgery and neurosurgery. He attended medical school at McGill University Faculty of Medicine. For his residency, Dr. Heffez trained at The Hospital for Sick Children and a hospital affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. Clinical interests for Dr. Heffez include brain aneurysm, discectomy (disc removal surgery), and herniated disc. Dr. Heffez's average rating from his patients is 3.5 stars (out of 5). Dr. Heffez (or staff) speaks French and Italian. His professional affiliations include Froedtert Hospital and Medical College of Wisconsin. Doctor.com reports that he is accepting new patients at his office in Wauwatosa, WI.