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Home > IL Providers > Neurosurgeons

Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD

(Issam Awad)

(332 Ratings)

Specializes in: Neurosurgery

Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Professional interests include: stroke, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), skull base tumors, and more.

5758 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

1-888-824-0200

Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD is a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL specializing in neurosurgery. He graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD is affiliated with The University of Chicago Medicine.

Office Locations

The University of Chicago Medicine

5758 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

1-888-824-0200

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5841 S Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

1-888-824-0200

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Some issues Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD can help you with:

Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.

Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.

Risk factors for stroke include:

Heart disease
Older age
Smoking
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol and lipids

There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.

Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.

Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:

-Disorientation or confusion

-Difficulty speaking

-Difficulty walking

-Impaired vision

-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms

-Severe headaches

When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.

Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.

Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.

Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.

If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.

In The News

“In any case, a surgery for a hemorrhagic stroke would involve treating the bleed as well as its source, said Issam Awad, MD, MSc, director of neurovascular surgery at University of Chicago Medicine...”—"Jamie Foxx's Stroke: Here's What to Know", MedPage Today, December 2024

“-- Issam Awad, MD, MSc, of University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, discussing actor Jamie Foxx's stroke in 2023.”—"Opinion | 'We're Putting Teflon in Our Mouth': What We Heard This Week", MedPage Today, December 2024

“Dr. Issam Awad, director of neurovascular surgery at University of Chicago Medicine, said some people with aneurysms have warning headaches before a rupture, but others show no symptoms until the...”—"White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar faces tough odds in recovery from brain aneurysm, but hopeful signs exist", South Florida Sun-Sentinel, April 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL during 2012 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	84
hospital care	19
inpatient care	19

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL during 2013 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	81
hospital care	105
inpatient care	105

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD.

**Gender**
Male	35
Female	89

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	64
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	45
From 75 to 84	39
85 and over	16
Less than 65	24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD in 2013

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	40
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	31
Dementia	22
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL during 2014 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	66
hospital care	21
inpatient care	21

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD.

**Gender**
Male	32
Female	68

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	48
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	40
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	31

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD in 2014

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	31
Ischemic Heart Disease	46
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	35
Asthma	18
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	32
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	42
Dementia	18
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL during 2015 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	70
hospital care	48
inpatient care	48

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD.

**Gender**
Male	68
Female	132

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	102
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	82
From 75 to 84	62
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD in 2015

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	43
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	21
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	28
Dementia	20
Cancer	16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL during 2016 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	56
hospital care	19
inpatient care	19

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD.

**Gender**
Male	28
Female	55

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	0
Black	39
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	39
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	19

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD in 2016

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	41
Ischemic Heart Disease	51
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	25
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	39
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	45
Dementia	19
Cancer	16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	47

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD.

**Gender**
Male	22
Female	44

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	34
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	28
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	20

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD in 2017

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	42
Stroke	39
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	29
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	24
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL during 2018 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	57
hospital care	55
inpatient care	55

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD.

**Gender**
Male	25
Female	55

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	43
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	35
From 75 to 84	21
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	50
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	30
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	31
Dementia	29
Cancer	16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL during 2019 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	47
hospital care	48
inpatient care	48

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD.

**Gender**
Male	19
Female	45

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	32
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	34
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	34
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	36
Dementia	0
Cancer	19

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	39

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD.

**Gender**
Male	17
Female	35

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	27
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	25
From 75 to 84	13
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD in 2020

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	37
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	37
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	40
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	42

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD.

**Gender**
Male	25
Female	33

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	35
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	25
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	13

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD in 2021

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	43
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	47
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	29
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	36
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	49

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD.

**Gender**
Male	25
Female	28

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	30
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	28
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	13

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD in 2022

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	38
Ischemic Heart Disease	21
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	25
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL were hospital care and inpatient care.

doctor visit	58
hospital care	45
inpatient care	45

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD.

**Gender**
Male	26
Female	53

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	3
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	37
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	12
85 and over	1
Less than 65	10
65 to 74	34

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	36
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	8
Osteoporosis	3
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	30
Atrial Fibrillation	5
Dementia	9
Cancer	8

Education & Training

Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed residency at Cleveland Clinic. He is certified by the Board Certification: Neurological Surgery and has a state license in Illinois.

Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Residency: Cleveland Clinic

Board Certification: Board Certification: Neurological Surgery

Licensed In: Illinois

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

The University of Chicago Medicine

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Aetna PPO, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA POS, CIGNA HMO, MultiPlan PPO, Medicare Advantage, Aetna POS, Medicare, Humana, PHCS PPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, United W500 Emergent Wrap, Aetna Better Health *see insurance page, United Options (PPO), CountyCare *see insurance page, BCBS HMO (HMOI) (specialists only), United Select (HMO & EPO) (specialists only), University of Chicago Health Plan (UCHP), United Choice HMO (specialists only), BCBS Blue Precision HMO (specialists only), Aetna HMO (specialists only) and United Choice Plus POS/PPO.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO

Aetna PPO

CIGNA PPO

CIGNA POS

CIGNA HMO

MultiPlan PPO

Medicare Advantage

Aetna POS

Medicare

Humana

PHCS PPO

Aetna Medicare PPO

United W500 Emergent Wrap

Aetna Better Health *see insurance page

United Options (PPO)

CountyCare *see insurance page

BCBS HMO (HMOI) (specialists only)

United Select (HMO & EPO) (specialists only)

University of Chicago Health Plan (UCHP)

United Choice HMO (specialists only)

BCBS Blue Precision HMO (specialists only)

Aetna HMO (specialists only)

United Choice Plus POS/PPO

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 332 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Chicago, IL.

4.9

Overall Rating

(332 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Issam A. Awad, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Neurelis, Inc.	$115,793 VALTOCO $148	$115,645
DePuy Synthes Sales Inc.	$320 Spine $320
Stryker Corporation	$73 NEURO $73

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$115,500
Food and Beverage	$344
Travel and Lodging	$343

Biography

Dr. Issam Awad is a neurosurgery specialist in Chicago, IL. He obtained his medical school training at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and performed his residency at Cleveland Clinic. Areas of expertise for Dr. Awad include brain aneurysm, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and skull base tumors. Dr. Awad is rated 5.0 stars (out of 5) by his patients. Dr. Awad can take Blue California, Aetna, CIGNA Plans, and more. Dr. Awad (or staff) speaks the following languages: Arabic and French. He is affiliated with The University of Chicago Medicine.