Sophia Shakur, MD, stands at the forefront of modern neurosurgery. A board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in cerebrovascular and neuroendovascular, Shakur performs the full gamut of neurosurgical procedures – with particular interest in brain aneurysm and stroke.
As part of our series celebrating mentorship in medicine, we are highlighting the incredible contributions Dr. Shakur has made to the neurosurgical field. Over the years, Dr. Shakur has earned a reputation for her technical skills as well as for her commitment to embracing innovative tools and patient advocacy.
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A Career Built on Expertise and Innovation
Dr. Shakur’s distinguished career began with her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University, one of the world’s top medical schools. She completed her residency in neurosurgery at the University of Chicago, followed by fellowships in both cerebrovascular and neuroendovascular surgery at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
She currently practices at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Maryland.
Throughout her career, Dr. Shakur has been an advocate for innovation in surgery, consistently seeking out tools and technologies that improve precision. Among those tools, Transonic’s Charbel Micro-Flowprobes® have become an integral part of her approach.
The Critical Role of Flow Measurement in Brain Surgery
For Dr. Shakur, flow measurement is not just a helpful addition to surgery – it’s critical.
"Clipping a brain aneurysm [requires] keeping the normal arteries open, and one of the best ways to ensure that the artery remains open is to use the flowprobe," Dr. Shakur explains in a video interview about cerebrovascular flow measurement.
The Charbel Micro-Flowprobes® provide her with a level of accuracy she is unable to attain from a standard Doppler pen.
“Oftentimes, neurosurgeons only have access to a regular Doppler flowprobe, which is somewhat subjective because you can only listen to the sound of the flow,” Dr. Shakur says. “The Charbel Micro-Flowprobe®, gives you volumetric measurements in milliliters per minute … The measurement that you get is much more accurate and that accuracy results in better outcomes for the surgery.”
Dr. Shakur’s focus on innovation is especially evident in her use of flow measurement technology during complex procedures like bypass surgeries. These operations demand absolute precision, and the ability to measure blood flow in real time allows her to make critical adjustments during surgery.
“That’s yet again another reason to be familiar with the Transonic flowprobe because it can be your best friend during a very complicated surgery.”
At Transonic, we are proud to support surgeons like Dr. Shakur who continue to improve patient care while paving the way for future advancements in the field.
Mentorship and Innovation in Neurosurgery
Dr. Shakur’s dedication to patient care extends beyond the operating room. As a mentor to the next generation of neurosurgeons, she passes along her knowledge and experience combining the utmost surgical skills with advanced technology.
Her commitment to both innovation and mentorship reflects the values we uphold at Transonic: advancing medical technology while ensuring that the next generation of surgeons is equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed.