Daniel Rafie, MD

Board Certified in Neurology and Traumatic Brain Injury Medicine 
Fellowship Trained in Sports Neurology
Specializing in Headache, Concussion, and Interventional Spine Procedures 

Daniel Rafie is a physician specializing in Sports Neurology and Traumatic Brain Injury. He completed his medical schooling at the American University of the Caribbean and his Neurology residency training at Hackensack – JFK Medical Center in New Jersey. He then went on to complete a 2-year Sports Neurology and Traumatic Brain Injury fellowship at the prestigious UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT program. During this fellowship, he gained expertise in the assessment and management of traumatic brain injury and the performance of interventional spine procedures in order to comprehensively treat post-traumatic patients and athletes. He has also gained proficiency in the optimization of brain health and athletic neurological performance through non-invasive modalities.

Dr. Rafie has particular interest in developing interventions to aid in concussion recovery, enhance overall brain health, and optimize athlete’s neurological performance. He continues to be involved in research with UCLA, including his investigation of Cannabidiol (CBD) as an aid to improve concussion recovery. He is also the current host of the UCLA BrainSPORT Podcast, where he discusses topics related to brain injury, brain health, and brain performance with topic experts and elite athletes.

Education

2016

American University Caribbean School of Medicine Medical Degree

Cupecoy, St. Maarteen

Board Certification and Licensure

• Board Certified in Neurology
• NIHSS Certified
• CPR-AED/BLS Certified

Professional Training

2020-2022	UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program Sports Neurology/Traumatic Brain Injury Fellowship	Los Angeles, CA
2022	UCLA Goldberg Migraine Clinic Outpatient Headache Management	Los Angeles, CA
2021	UCLA Spine Center Interventional Spine Medicine Rotation	Los Angeles, CA
2016-2020	Hackensack Meridian - John F. Kennedy Medical Center Adult Neurology Residency Program	Edison, NJ

Professional Experience

2022-Present	The Spine and Orthopedic Center Neurologist, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Post-Traumatic Headache Specialist	Santa Barbara, CA
2020-2022	UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program – David Geffin School of Medicine Clinical Instructor and Fellow Sports Neurology and Traumatic Brain Injury	LA, CA

Research Experience

Ongoing	Review on the Potential for Cannabidiol (CBD) use in Acute-Subacute Concussion, Ongoing
Ongoing	Retrospective Analysis of Cannabidiol (CBD) Use in a UCLA BrainSPORT Traumatic Brain Injury Cohort, Ongoing
2021	“Age Dependent Changes in Cerebral Hemodynamics After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.” Abstract accepted to: The 38th Annual National Neurotrauma Symposium; July 11–14, 2021; Virtual Conference
2020	Retrospective“Herpes Encephalitis Presenting as New Onset Status Epilepticus with MRI Suggestive of Acute Stroke.” Poster presented at: American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting; December 2020; Seattle, WA
2019	Case Report Published in the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease – “Pure Cortical Stroke Causing Hemichorea – Hemiballismus”; 2019

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, HONORS AND AWARDS

Present	Host of the UCLA BrainSPORT Podcast
2020-2022	NBA and Los Angeles Lakers Pre-season Neurological Baseline Assessment
2022	Professional Boxing Ringside Physician Experience
2021	Sideline Physician Coverage for Venice High School Football
2020	UCLA Speech Therapy Neurology Rounds; 2020
2019	Amateur Boxing League Volunteer Ringside Physician

Attending Staff

2023

Carrillo Surgery Center

Santa Barbara,CA

Lectures, Presentations and Exhibits

2022	UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative Grand Rounds Lecture – Cannabidiol (CBD) Use in Concussion; 2022
2022	UCSD TBI Research Group Presentation – Cannabidiol (CBD) Use in Concussion; 2022
2021	UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Educational Presentation – The BrainSPORT Case Series; 2021
2020	UP2US Lunch and Learn Concussion Presentation and Q&A; 2020
2020-22	UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Journal Club Presentations; 2020, 2021, 2022
2020	UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Educational Presentation – Cannabidiol (CBD) Use in Concussion; 2020