As the former Director of Pediatric Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Dr. Akhavan is one of the country’s most experienced pediatric robotic surgeons. With robotic surgery, Dr. Akhavan strives to optimize patient outcomes while minimizing discomfort, length of hospitalization, and time to return to normal activities.  While Dr. Akhavan offers both minimally invasive and open surgery options for all disorders of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and genitals, Dr. Akhavan has particular expertise in robotic surgery for infants and children with disorders associated with hydronephrosis, including vesicoureteral reflux and ureteropelvic junction obstruction.  Dr. Akhavan is also one of only a few providers in the country with expertise in complex robotic reconstruction, including robotic mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy and bladder neck reconstruction for children with incontinence secondary to neurogenic bladder from spinal cord injury or spina bifida.

Additionally, as the former co-director of the Johns Hopkins Fetal Surgery Program, Dr. Akhavan has unique experience performing fetal surgery for patients with lower urinary tract obstruction, and offers counseling to expectant parents with hydronephrosis and other fetal urological anomalies.  Finally, as the former co-director of the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Kidney Stone Program, Dr. Akhavan has had extensive experience managing complex kidney stone cases in infants, children, and adolescents, and offers all forms of stone treatment. 

Dr. Akhavan attended the Horace Mann School, and then graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University, followed by medical school at the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his general surgery and urology residencies at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, followed by a two-year fellowship in Pediatric Urology at the Seattle Children’s Hospital, where he was also an instructor in Pediatric Urology. Dr. Akhavan then became an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, where he developed and directed their program in Pediatric Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery, and also co-directed the Programs in Fetal Surgery as well as Pediatric Kidney Stone Surgery prior to joining the faculty at Weill Cornell Medicine.  During his time at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Akhavan was recognized as a Top Doctor by Baltimore Magazine.  Dr. Akhavan sees patients at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center on the Upper East Side.

Clinical Expertise:

Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery, Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction, Vesicoureteral Reflux, Hydronephrosis, Urinary Tract Infection (With Fever), Kidney Stones, Neurogenic Bladder, Megaureter, Undescended Testicles, Inguinal Hernia, Hydrocele, Hypospadias, Ureterocele, Prune Belly Syndrome, Posterior Urethral Valves, Circumcision Complications, Newborn Circumcision, Meatal Stenosis, Horseshoe Kidney, Duplex Kidney

Testimonials

" He has a wonderful bedside manner!" - via Healthgrades on June 8, 2021

"Dr. Akhavan is an incredible pediatric surgeon with a heart of gold. Our pediatrician initially recommended Dr. Akhavan and it is obvious why - he is knowledgeable, responsive and extremely patient. We are first time parents and were distraught when we learned that our son would need surgery for undescended testicles. Dr. Akhavan's excellent bedside manner and detailed explanations for all our questions made my husband and me feel comfortable with the process. He even gave us his email and took the time to provide thoughtful, detailed answers to additional follow up questions on the weekend. The surgery and recovery were flawless - our son went back to being his happy and smiley self the next day. We cannot thank you enough for your compassion and excellent care, Dr. Akhavan." - via Healthgrades on Feb 6, 2021

"Dr. Akhavan performed a complex kidney operation on our child, and it was wildly successful! Throughout the process (nuclear medicine scans, ultrasounds, tele-visits, etc...) he kept us informed, set our expectations appropriately and was very responsive to some of our odd ball questions. We highly recommend Dr. Akhavan and his team." - Ilan M. via Google 

"Dr. Akhavan and the rest of his office staff are truly exceptional. When our son had his kidney issues at birth, we were obviously concerned. Dr. Akhavan not only set us at ease, but also instilled confidence in us that all would be well. He took the time to thoroughly explain our son's condition and how he was going to treat it, which only gave us further comfort." - via Healthgrades on August 10,2018

Our son's surgery could not have been a greater success and you can barely see the little scars from the robotic incisions.

We would recommend anyone who has a need for a pediatric urologist to contact Dr. Akhavan. From caring for the patient (and his family) to providing the top medical treatment, there is no one else in whom we would trust the care of our son for these issues." - Casey P. via Google Reviews on August 10, 2018

"Dr. Akhavan is truly amazing!! He is incredibly knowledgeable and professional. His expertise will ease your mind that your child is in the absolute best care possible. He genuinely cares about his patients. I highly recommend him if you are searching for a pediatric urologist. You will not be disappointed." - Beth K. via Google Reviews

"He made me feel comfortable as a parent he explained things so I could understand what was going on with my son.. Thanks to Dr. A my son has had no problems and his surgery was two years ago. He is a wonderful man and a wonderful doctor." - Lauren B. on Aug 23, 2017 via Healthgrades

"Great With his care of my daughter...takes the time to listen to my concerns. Easy to talk too not only in office but outside as well. Thank you Dr. A" - Natilee R. via Facebook on October 2, 2017

"Dr. Akhavan is an amazing doctor. Not only is he friendly and able to ease the worry of the children he treats, but he goes above and beyond to make sure that the parents understand what they need to know, and answers questions thoroughly, in terms that people with or without medical knowledge could decipher. He goes out of his way to make himself accessible, and is the epitome of what a doctor should be in terms of his expertise in his field as well as his professionalism and compassion. Highly recommend him for parents looking for a pediatric urologist for their children! He WILL do great things as his career progresses, and I will be proud to say he treated my son and that we had the privilege of knowing him." - Erin C. via Google Reviews

"My 18 month old has been seeing him since she was about 6 weeks old. He is amazing! He is beyond knowledgable and very confident! I have no doubt my child is in great hands!!" - J.H. via Google Reviews

Location

Upper East Side

Weill Cornell Medicine at

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

525 East 68th Street

9th Floor, Suite F918

New York, NY 10065

(212) 746-5361