Bio

Dr. Baron is a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurologist in the Stanford Health Care Headache Clinic and the Vestibular Balance Disorders Program. He is also clinical assistant professor in the Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences and, by courtesy, in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. He received fellowship training in both headache medicine and otoneurology (dizziness and vestibular disorders) at Stanford University School of Medicine.

He specializes in diagnosing, managing, and treating the many causes of headache, facial pain, and dizziness. To provide the highest level of care, he takes a detailed history, performs a specialized physical exam, and collaborates with colleagues across the Stanford Health Care system. Dr. Baron develops a comprehensive care plan customized for each patient. He specializes in non-medication options, nerve blocks and other advanced treatments, Botox® injections, and the latest headache medications and devices.

Dr. Baron has a particular interest in the management of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), which results from pressure around the brain and causes headaches and problems with vision. He has established a multidisciplinary group of Stanford Health Care doctors to improve and coordinate care for people with IIH. The group includes doctors from several departments, including neuro-ophthalmology, neurosurgery, interventional radiology, and bariatric surgery and medical weight loss. They work together to determine the most effective medical and procedural treatments.

Dr. Baron also has a strong interest in the evaluation of acute vestibular syndromes and the management of dizziness in the emergency room. He has published in Journal of the Neurological Sciences, Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, and Translational Behavioral Medicine. He has also written several chapters for the Stanford Neurology Resident Handbook. He has presented his research at conferences throughout the United States, and he is heavily involved with quality improvement projects and educating resident physicians.

Dr. Baron is a member of the American Headache Society, American Academy of Neurology, Catholic Medical Association, and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Clinical Focus

  • Neurotology

Academic Appointments

Professional Education

  • Fellowship: Stanford University Dept of Neurology CA
  • Residency: Stanford University Dept of Neurology CA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Neurology (2022)
  • Internship: Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Dept of Medicine (2019) CA
  • Medical Education: Warren Alpert Medical School Brown University (2018) RI

Contact

  • Academic
    University - Academic staff Department: Adult Neurology Position: Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Clinical (Primary)  Neurology Department 211 Quarry Rd 2nd Fl MC 5992 Stanford, CA 94305 (650) 725-0390 (fax)

Additional Clinical Info

All Publications

  • A Review of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide and Its Implications for Vestibular Disorders CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN NEUROLOGY Baron, R., Steenerson, K. K. 2024

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s11940-024-00792-9

    View details for Web of Science ID 001230085200001

  • Acute Vestibular Syndrome and ER Presentations of Dizziness. Otolaryngologic clinics of North America Baron, R., Steenerson, K. K., Alyono, J. 2021

    Abstract

    Acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) describes sudden onset, severe, continuous dizziness that persists for more than 24 hours. Its wide differential presents a diagnostic challenge. Vestibular neuritis is the most common cause, but stroke, trauma, medication effects, infectious, and inflammatory causes all present similarly. The TiTrATE model (Timing, Triggers, And Targeted Exam) is systematic way to evaluate these patients, and the HINTS Plus exam (Head Impulse, Nystagmus, Test of Skew, plus hearing loss) is critical in differentiating central and peripheral causes. The importance of recognizing risk factors for stroke and the role of imaging is also discussed.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.otc.2021.05.013

    View details for PubMedID 34294435

  • Motor asymmetry over time in Parkinson's disease JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES Miller-Patterson, C., Buesa, R., McLaughlin, N., Jones, R., Akbar, U., Friedmann, J. H. 2018; 393: 14-17

    Abstract

    Motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients are usually asymmetric at onset. The literature on change in asymmetry over time has mixed results, with some studies suggesting a retained asymmetry and others suggesting a progression towards symmetry. The aim of this study was to assess change in asymmetry over time.Charts of 109 consecutive patients who had been followed in a movement disorders clinic for routine PD care were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had been treated for PD symptoms and had been seen during at least 2 annual time points over 5 years. Interval absolute differences in Unified PD rating scale (UPDRS) scores for bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor between the right and left sides were calculated for annual time points.Neither bradykinesia, rigidity, nor tremor became more symmetric over a 5-year period; there was not a statistically significant change in asymmetry at any annual time point for these motor symptoms.The lack of observed change in UPDRS score difference suggests that motor symptoms in PD patients remain asymmetric. This is important to consider clinically when predicting the natural course of PD and considering alternative diagnoses to PD. These results may also be important in developing hypotheses for disease progression.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jns.2018.08.001

    View details for Web of Science ID 000454850300003

    View details for PubMedID 30096567

  • Enhancing capacity among faith-based organizations to implement evidence-based cancer control programs: a community-engaged approach TRANSLATIONAL BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE Leyva, B., Allen, J. D., Ospino, H., Tom, L. S., Negron, R., Buesa, R., Torres, M. 2017; 7 (3): 517-528

    Abstract

    Evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to promote cancer control among Latinos have proliferated in recent years, though adoption and implementation of these interventions by faith-based organizations (FBOs) is limited. Capacity building may be one strategy to promote implementation. In this qualitative study, 18 community key informants were interviewed to (a) understand existing capacity for health programming among Catholic parishes, (b) characterize parishes' resource gaps and capacity-building needs implementing cancer control EBIs, and (c) elucidate strategies for delivering capacity-building assistance to parishes to facilitate implementation of EBIs. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted. Key informants concurred about the capacity of Catholic parishes to deliver health programs, and described attributes of parishes that make them strong partners in health promotion initiatives, including a mission to address physical and mental health, outreach to marginalized groups, altruism among members, and existing engagement in health programming. However, resource gaps and capacity building needs were also identified. Specific recommendations participants made about how existing resources might be leveraged to address challenges include to: establish parish wellness committees; provide "hands-on" learning opportunities for parishioners to gain program planning skills; offer continuous, tailored, on-site technical assistance; facilitate relationships between parishes and community resources; and provide financial support for parishes. Leveraging parishes' existing resources and addressing their implementation needs may improve adoption of cancer control EBIs.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s13142-017-0513-1

    View details for Web of Science ID 000418893900014

    View details for PubMedID 28733726

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5645291