
Shih-Chun Lin, MD, PhD
Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery
Skull Base Surgery
Spine Surgery
Neurosurgery
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Shih-Chun Lin
Professional Titles
- Chair-Elect/Vice Chair, Medical Staff, Suburban Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Former Chair, Department of Surgery, Suburban Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Division Chief of Johns Hopkins Neurosurgery, National Capital Region
- Chief of Neurosurgery, Suburban Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Primary Academic Title
Associate Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
Background
Shih-Chun (David) Lin, M.D., is a neurosurgeon with Johns Hopkins Neurosurgery in Bethesda, Maryland, as well as an associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Dr. Lin offers neurosurgical care to patients with brain or spine diseases. He was the first to introduce several procedures to Suburban Hospital, including endoscopic pituitary surgery, endoscopic extended skull base surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, neurosurgical complex spinal instrumentation surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery and microvascular decompression for cranial nerve compression syndrome, such as trigeminal neuralgia. He also has clinical expertise in MRI- and CT-guided surgical navigation. Dr. Lin typically treats brain tumors, spinal tumors, pituitary tumors, spinal stenosis, herniated intervertebral disc, skull base tumors, encephalocele, and skull base CSF leak (rhinorrhea or otorrhea).
Dr. Lin graduated first place from National Taiwan University College of Medicine, earning his medical degree at the age of 21, the youngest in Taiwan’s history. He then served as a medical/surgical officer in the 206th Infantry Division for the Taiwan Army. He received his Ph.D. in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University, awarded Phi Beta Kappa and Paul Ehrlich Research Award for his academic and research achievements. Dr. Lin completed his neurosurgical residency at Stanford University Medical Center, where he gained experience in the latest surgical technologies, such as endoscopic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, computer-guided surgical navigation and stereotactic radiosurgery. His research using optogenetics, from his fellowship at Stanford, was awarded by The Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Lin is a member of the Suburban Hospital Tumor Board. He has worked on several system innovation and quality improvement efforts at Suburban Hospital, such as standardizing critical care protocols for post-operative care for patients undergoing pituitary surgery and establishing MRI protocols for patients implanted with spinal cord stimulators or cardiac pacemakers. Dr. Lin is also a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Lin has earned numerous awards, such as the Teaching Excellence Award for Stanford University School of Medicine, the Service Excellence Award for Suburban Hospital, Best Consulting Physicians at Johns Hopkins Medicine, Surgeon of the Year Award at Suburban Hospital, and was named one of America's Top Surgeons for Consumers' Research Council of America, Washingtonian Top Doctors, and Bethesda Magazine Top Doctors.
Dr. Lin's research interests are in optogenetics, investigating mechanisms behind epilepsy control and glial cell reaction to pathologic conditions. He has contributed to numerous publications and lectures.
Centers and Institutes
Recent News Articles and Media Coverage
At night she suffered through searing pain, by morning it mysteriously vanished, Washington Post (05/26/2018)
Additional Academic Titles
Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Research Interests
glial cell reaction to pathologic conditions, investigate mechanisms behind epilepsy control, Optogenetics
Research Summary
Through his research, Dr. Lin seeks to advance the field of neurosurgery by using the latest technology, such as optogenetics, to investigate mechanisms behind epilepsy control and glial cell reaction to pathologic conditions.
Selected Publications
Davis RJ, Lin SC, Mydlarz WK, A rapidly expanding scalp mass. JAMA Oncology 2017; 3(3):411-412
Lad SP, Li G, Lin SC, Henderson JM, "Intracranial hypotension from intrathecal baclofen pump insertion." A case report and review of the literature. Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, 2008; 86(2):75-79.
Lin SC, Bergles DE, "Synaptic signaling between GABAergic interneurons and oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the hippocampus." Nature Neuroscience, 2004; 7(1):24-32.
Lin SC, Bergles DE, "Synaptic signaling between neurons and glia." Glia, 2004; 47(3):290-8.
Lin SC, Deisseroth K, Henderson JM, "Optogenetics: background and concepts for neurosurgery." Neurosurgery, 2011; 69(1):1-3.
Lin SC, Huck JH, Roberts JD, Macklin WB, Somogyi P, Bergles DE, "Climbing fiber innervation of NG2-expressing glia in the mammalian cerebellum." Neuron, 46(5):773-85 (2005).
Witten IB*, Lin SC*, Brodsky M*, Diester I, Anikeeva P, Prakash R, Gradinaru V, Ramakrishnan C, Deisseroth KA, Cholinergic interneurons control local circuit activity and cocaine conditioning. Science 2010; 330(6011):1677-1681. (*Co-first authors)
Honors
- Washingtonian Top Doctors, Washingtonian, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Bethesda Magazine Top Doctors, Bethesda Magazine, 2021, 2022, 2023
- Castle Connolly Top Doctors, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- America's Most Honored Doctors, The American Registry, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- The Michael J. Stanton MD Award for Outstanding Service, Suburban Hospital, 2019
- Best Consulting Physician, Johns Hopkins Medicine: Clinical Excellence Award, 2018
- Living The Hopkins Mission Honoree, Johns Hopkins Medicine 125th Anniversary, 2018
- America's Top Surgeons, Consumers' Research Council of America, 2017, 2018
- Service Excellence Award, Suburban Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2013
Memberships
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons,
Fellow
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons,
Member
Additional Training
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Maryland)
Ph.D.
(2005) - Stanford University (Stanford, CA),
Fellowship
(2010)
Locations
- Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center — Bethesda
- 10215 Fernwood Road, Suite 412, Bethesda, MD 20817
- phone: 301-896-6069
- fax: 301-896-8802
Expertise
Education
Stanford University School of Medicine
Residency, Neurosurgery, 2012Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Graduate School, Neuroscience, PhD, 2005National Taiwan University Hospital
Residency, Surgery, 2000National Taiwan University School of Medicine
Medical Education, MD, 1997Board Certifications
Neurological Surgery
American Board of Neurological Surgery, 2016Neurological Surgery
American Board of Neurological Surgery, 2016Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Humana
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- UnitedHealthcare
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
196 ratings, 64 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/20/2025
This was my initial visit with the provider. He was respectful and personable in manner. Apologized for delay in visit. Easy to talk to, listened to me and explained plan of care. I had an adverse reaction to a drug he prescribed, sent him a message and received a prompt response although it was after office hours and on a weekend.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/12/2025
Very knowledgeable and patience doctor that explained everything to me
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/5/2025
Excellent doctor/visit.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/30/2025
Dr Lin was pleasant and helpful. He asked good questions and made good suggestions. I appreciate that he apologized for the delay in the start of the appointment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/28/2025
Excellent.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/28/2025
Good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/22/2025
Well informed, teaches his patients about their conditions and provides pros and cons about treatment options and he has excellent bedside manners. He is real and a very nice and well mannered person.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/17/2025
Dr. Lin is not only an exceptional and skilled surgeon, he is also extremely kind.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/17/2025
I thought my provider was extremely competent. He was thoughtful and explained the options fairly well. He had an engaging personality and had great communication skills.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2025
Dr. Lin is very professional, thorough and most of all empathetic to your concerns. Came here for a 2nd opinion and to help me make a sound decision with proceeding forward with surgery. He made it very easy for me to share my concerns and to choose him to be under his care. I am looking forward to my next steps.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2025
Dr. Lin was very compassionate and kind listening carefully and acknowledging the pain that I am in. He made a plan to discover the cause of the pain and it felt great knowing that he was going to help me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2025
Dr. Shih-Chun Lin is a very nice doctor. Gave me immediate confidence that I am in good hands under his care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2024
Very informative allowing me to make a decision at this point. Might change down the road Personable, and answered my questions in term I could understand.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/18/2024
Good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/18/2024
Dr Lin is professional, courteous, and understandable in the context of explaining things in a way that was accessible to me. Very impressive and I very much appreciate his honesty.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/12/2024
My doctor is very pleased to hear and talk his excellent doctor and on the point . That alone calms my nervousness.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/11/2024
Outstanding doctor
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/5/2024
He's the best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/4/2024
Very attentive, explaining well my condition, listening to my concerns and providing advice on next steps
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/31/2024
I have been seen by several neurologists over the years and Dr. Lin is absolutely the best.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/24/2024
Very gentle and careful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/23/2024
Dr Lin as a Neurosurgeon is exceptional. Entrusting my Cervical Spine area to a surgeon is about as scary as any procedure other than brain surgery. Yet I feel very confident and grateful about the 3 procedures I had to have in 3 months time (2 in a single day).
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/17/2024
Doctor Lin reviewed all my info prior to consult discussion. He thoroughly explained his impressions and listened to me. Together we made decisions on follow up care. I was impressed by his knowledge, concern, compassion and thoroughness. Have chosen him as my future care provider.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/17/2024
Dr. Lin is very personable and a good listener. He answered all my questions and I am so thankful that he is my neurosurgeon. I'm so relieved and hopeful after visits with him.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/9/2024
Very thorough, detailed oriented, explains things well, very professional
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/9/2024
Excellent bed side manner, and give the patient his full attention
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/3/2024
Dr. Lin listened intently, was very well informed, explained my condition and options thoroughly and clearly, and never seemed in a rush to leave. He asked repeatedly if I had any more questions, which made me feel like he was interested and engaged.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/3/2024
I was very pleased with Dr. Lin's attentiveness and clarity. He listened carefully and responded to my concerns.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/2/2024
Welcoming, very knowledgeable and professional and reassuring.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/26/2024
Love this doctor
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/26/2024
Very good.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/25/2024
To this day the medical service seems very good to me
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/12/2024
Very easy to talk with and caring about my medical issues
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/12/2024
Dr. Lin is very helpful and knowledgeable. He saw what my problem was and spent a good deal of time talking with me regarding my options. I felt very confident after speaking with him and left with a deeper understanding of what is going on in my spine.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/5/2024
He is exceptional in every way possible. Very human and compassionate and I trust him completely
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/4/2024
Dr. Lin showed concern and was easy to talk to. He was thorough in his examination of me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/4/2024
Very nice and knowledgeable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/29/2024
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/28/2024
Caring
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/28/2024
Conscientious warm encouraging
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/28/2024
Dr. Lin is a highly competent surgeon is very personable and I found him very easy to work with. Highly recommend.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/22/2024
Dr Lin explained my condition to me and allayed any concerns I had.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/14/2024
My provider had talked & discussed with me explaining to me about what was going on with my C-Spine & L-Spine very thorough & straight to the point.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/8/2024
Excellent!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/23/2024
Dr. Lin was warm and friendly. He answered my questions in easy-to-understand terms.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/19/2024
I had a posterior Cervical surgery due to compression on the spine. I had always assumed I would never have considered such a procedure. What changed my mind was the unequivocally strong confidence my Neurologist, Dr [ ] , displayed in recommending Dr Lin to me for this urgent surgery. Other medical professionals I stumbled across, in the process of planning the procedure at Suburban Hospital, also spoke glowingly about Dr Lin and his credentials!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/3/2024
Dr Lin explains things very clearly for a nonmedical person.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/3/2024
Dr is excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/28/2024
Dr. Lin was very knowledgeable, listened well to my concerns and answered all my questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/26/2024
Very knowledgeable about my condition
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/14/2024
He is kind, professional and very knowledgeable.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/10/2024
Dr.LIn listened,was attentive was answered all my questions.I have confidence in Dr.Lin.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/29/2024
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/20/2024
Dr Lin is very thorough and good at explaining things. I never feel rushed with him. He also responds to messages in MyChart in an expeditious manner.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/13/2024
HE'S WONDERFUL !!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/8/2024
Informative of my option.attentive and professional . Made me comfortable to ask questions if need be. Spent time with me without feeling rushed.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/1/2024
The provider came in to apologize for the wait first & then to give me back my disks before we started to talk. I feel he look at me as a patient and not a number & heard my pleas for the pain I have been going through in the various areas of my body. The provider made some very good decisions to get some further images done in order to help rule out anything else if needed after further talking. I Look forward to working further with this provider.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/29/2024
Doctor Lin went out of his way to ask about my problems in my own words despite the considerable documentation I brought with me. It was clear that he wanted to hear the story/symptoms. I found him to be pleasant, patient, intelligent and fact-seeking. He is someone I would have confidence in.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/22/2024
Very professional and left me feeling good about my progress.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/22/2024
Dr Lin is very knowledgeable and kind. He has good judgement and bedside manner.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/22/2024
Great
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/12/2024
Great
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/12/2024
He is excellent. He listened was responsive and knowledgeable. He also did not rush.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/3/2024
Great Physican