Jason Scott Hauptman, MD, PhD

Neurosciences Center, Neurosurgery, Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Epilepsy Program, Brain Tumor Program, Cranial Base, Vascular Anomalies, Reconstructive Pelvic Medicine

On staff since September 2017

Children's Title: Interim Surgical Director, Epilepsy Surgery Program; Co-Director, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Program

Academic Title: Associate Professor

Research Center: Center for Clinical and Translational Research

"Being able to help parents and children in a time of need is our greatest reward and our greatest responsibility. I try my best to treat each family as if they were my own family, and take care of every child as if they were my own."

• Biography

  Jason S. Hauptman, MD, PhD, is a board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon and is an associate professor of neurological surgery.  He is a staff neurosurgeon at both Seattle Childrens Hospital and Harborview Medical Center.  He dedicates a significant portion of his clinical practice to the surgical management of epilepsy in children.  For the surgical management of epilepsy, he focuses on the utilization of stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) including using the ROSA Robotic System, stereotactic laser thermoablation (LITT), neuromodulation such as VNS and RNS, and open surgery such as lobectomy, hemispherectomy, and corpus callosotomy.  As a pediatric neurosurgeon, his job is to take care of children with a wide variety of neurological conditions.  His mission is to deliver the absolute best care to each and every child, and to do it with compassion and diligence.  He is also working hard to increase our understanding and approach to neurological illness through a variety of research efforts and by collaborating with incredible colleagues in the laboratory and at all stages of healthcare delivery. 

  Dr. Hauptman also has a clinical interest in the surgery of tumors involving eloquent cortex, using techniques such as fMRI/rsfMRI planning and awake functional mapping.  His research focuses on translation of novel therapeutics to the bedside, including targeted molecular therapies for epilepsy, as well as patient-oriented approaches to improve outcomes in epilspsy and pediatric neurosurgery.

  Dr. Hauptman received his undergraduate degree from Muhlenberg College.  He then received his M.D. from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now called Rutgers Medical School).  He went on to complete his neurological surgery residency at the University of California, Los Angeles under the leadership of Dr. Neil Martin.  During this time he also completed a doctoral degree in neuroscience, studying the cellular neurophysiology of epilepsy in cortical dysplasia and tuberous sclerosis.  He then went on to complete his pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh under the guidance of Dr. Ian Pollack.  He holds a certificate in clinical trials from the University of Washington.

  • Related Resources
• Patient Testimonials
  • Alexandria Tacoma Washington 05.13.23

    My daughter was born with encephalocele on the back of her head and needed to have surgery at 6 months old to correct that matter. Being able to hold my daughter today im SO incredibly thankful. Dr. Jason Hauptman did a fantastic job. The whole team made a big impact on our lives. My daughter will be 4 years old August 1st. Thank you for doing what you do. You save lives! ♡

  • Cali Spokane WA 01.16.23

    We owe everything to Dr. Hauptman, Our son was born with cortical dysplasia which resulted in him have seizures up to 20 times a day since he was just a few weeks old. When he was 11 months old his Nero and surgical team decided that the best option would be surgery. Hearing that your 1 year old baby has to have brain surgery was beyond scary. We had a meeting with Dr. Hauptman and I didn't think any one could make me feel comforted with the fact of my son having surgery but Dr. Hauptman made me feel at ease and comfortable and every exited and hopeful of our son having the surgery. He was so kind ad patient and described everything in detail and answered every question we had. On October 28th, 2022 Dr. Hauptman did a 6 hour surgery on our baby and *Knock on wood* we have not seen a seizure since! There is no one else i would have rather had or trusted with our son to do this procedure. I am crying while typing this because my entire family is just so beyond grateful for his work and the surgery he did to cure our son! When we arrived at the hospital he was funny and down to earth and felt like we were talking to a friend and he truly truly cared for our son. Any one who will meet Dr. Hauptman can tell that he truly cares about curing and helping children and it is not just a job for him but a passion! We will NEVER stop talking about the miracle he did for our son and we could never truly describe the gratitude that we have for him! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You will forever be a hero for our entire family, God Bless you

  • Karliann Bothell 03.30.21

    Dr. Hauptman performed my daughter's complicated second craniotomy after brain tumor progression. He had to make difficult decisions about how far to go in order to balance treatment with possible side effects of the surgery. I would want him again being the one to make that call! He is always personable and kind, and answers my questions thoroughly and gives me the information I want, which I appreciate. I feel that he treats my daughter like he would his own child. I am grateful for Dr. Hauptman.

  • Terra Orange,CA 06.03.20

    From the bottom of my heart there is truly no doctor I’ve ever been more thankful for than Dr. Jason Hauptman. Dr Hauptman saved my daughter Nova’s life before she was even born. After our daughter Nova was born, Dr Hauptman performed two brain surgeries on her and made it as easy if a process as possible. My story is too long and too emotional to write still but with all my love and every ounce of thankfulness that I have I recommend and appreciate Dr Hauptman. Terra and Nova

  • Rachelle Arlington 04.23.20

    Dr. Hauptman is unlike any other neurosurgeon we've ever seen... and we have seen MANY. He is so incredibly knowledgeable and processes complex situations from all angles. He looks for and considers likely solutions others may overlook. He stepped in and changed the trajectory of ours and our daughters life after she had undergone 15 brain surgeries in just her first year of life. Now she is finally able to focus on growing and learning and experiencing life and joy. Dr. Hauptman is truly one of a kind. Our sweet Kepler will know one day just how amazing this particular neurosurgeon is! That's a promise. Thank you doctor Hauptman from the bottom of our hearts.

  • Melissa Centralia, WA 09.18.18

    Dr Hauptman gave our daughter amazing care, he is a great surgeon! Our 8 month old daughter had a complicated tethered cord repair with unexpected complications. He explained everything to us thoroughly and walked us through the process of getting her spine healed. His attention to detail and patient approach helped him discover an underlying Hydrocephalus condition, which we are very thankful that it was found out sooner rather than later! Dr Hauptman and his care team are the best-- we are so thankful and would recommend him to anyone!

  • Silvia Norwalk,CA 01.15.18

    Our 15yr old son suffered a brain bleed in 2016 due to a ruptured AVM, Dr. Hauptman who was at the time with Kaiser Permanete Hollywood, cared for our son Jhaylen, with compassion and friendliness, always making him and us feel comfortable and at ease even through difficult decisions, and was always honest with diagnosis. we highly recommend Dr. Hauptman, it was very sad as worrisome to see him leave, we are so thankful for physicians like him, he truly was a sent angel

  • Miller-Wakeham WA 11.17.17

    Dr H- This time last year you were in surgery with Eli. It's crazy that it's been a year. Today he went to school, had pizza for lunch, went to PT, teased his sisters a bit, watched TV, ran around, and just got to be a kid. He's living, breathing, and healthy and we're just so grateful. Thank you. For all you've done for our family. If anyone asks Eli about his scar he says "I worked hard for my scar, it saved me. Dr. Hauptman helped me." You're still a household name here and we miss you. We know you're still doing amazing things! Hope you and your family are well. We're forever thankful for you.

  • Rashall Palmdale, Ca 10.19.17

    Dr Hauptman is an AMAZING person, in addition to being an awesome surgeon. He cared for our son who suffered from a Bilateral Grade IV brain bleed. Our son lost over 80% of his brain during a traumatic early birth (23 weeks) and was in the hospital most of the first 14 months of his life. Dr Hauptman was always careful and only performed surgeries that he felt necessary to help him. While realistic and honest with us about his medical opinions, his humanity didn’t crush our faith and hope that things would miraculously happen for our son. Jaxon has done better than anyone could’ve hoped for. During his extended stay Dr Hauptman was a frequent visitor to his room, even just to pinch his cheeks and say hello, during his rounds, even if he wasn’t on his schedule. He truly took care of our whole family and not just our son. We love Dr. Hauptman’s approach and passion for what he does. His father’s heart, helps to him keep his oath of doing no harm and only what is necessary for the good of the patient. Thank you Dr Hauptman for all you did for our family. Los Angeles definitely lost an amazing human being. Washington take care of him or we will ask for him back!

  Recommend Jason Scott Hauptman, MD, PhD
• Publications

  Other Publications

  • Boop S, Barkley A, Emerson S, Prolo LM, Goldstein H, Ojemann JG, Hauptman JS
    Robot-assisted stereoelectroencephalography in young children: technical challenges and considerations.
    34716458 Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, 2021 Oct 30
  • Shurtleff HA, Roberts EA, Young CC, Barry D, Warner MH, Saneto RP, Buckley R, Firman T, Poliakov AV, Ellenbogen RG, Hauptman JS, Ojemann JG, Marashly A
    Pediatric hemispherectomy outcome: Adaptive functioning, intelligence, and memory.
    34537627 Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 2021 Sep 16 : 124108298
  • Yengo-Kahn AM, Wellons JC, Hankinson TC, Hauptman JS, Jackson EM, Jensen H, Krieger MD, Kulkarni AV, Limbrick DD, McDonald PJ, Naftel RP, Pindrik JA, Pollack IF, Reeder R, Riva-Cambrin J, Rozzelle CJ, Tamber MS, Whitehead WE, Kestle JRW, Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network.
    Treatment strategies for hydrocephalus related to Dandy-Walker syndrome: evaluating procedure selection and success within the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network.
    33930865 Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics, 2021 Apr 30 : 1-9
  • Bonfield CM, Shannon CN, Reeder RW, Browd S, Drake J, Hauptman JS, Kulkarni AV, Limbrick DD, McDonald PJ, Naftel R, Pollack IF, Riva-Cambrin J, Rozzelle C, Tamber MS, Whitehead WE, Kestle JRW, Wellons JC, Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN).
    Hydrocephalus treatment in patients with craniosynostosis: an analysis from the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network prospective registry.
    33794488 Neurosurgical focus, 2021 April : 50(4)E11
  • Sen RD, Lee A, Browd SR, Ellenbogen RG, Hauptman JS
    Issues of consent and assent in pediatric neurosurgery.
    33068156 Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, 2021 Jan. : 37(1)33-37
  • Whitlock KB, Pope CE, Hodor P, Hoffman LR, Limbrick DL Jr, McDonald PJ, Hauptman JS, Ojemann JG, Simon TD, Cerebrospinal FLuId MicroBiota in Shunts Study (CLIMB) Group.
    Characterization of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) microbiota from patients with CSF shunt infection and reinfection using high throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNAgenes.
    33406142 PloS one, 2021 : 16(1)e0244643 PMCID:PMC7787469
  • Goldstein HE, Hauptman JS
    The Putative Role of mTOR Inhibitors in Non-tuberous Sclerosis Complex-Related Epilepsy.
    33643212 Frontiers in neurology, 2021 : 12639319 PMCID:PMC7907183
  • Hauptman JS, Kestle J, Riva-Cambrin J, Kulkarni AV, Browd SR, Rozzelle CJ, Whitehead WE, Naftel RP, Pindrik J, Limbrick DD, Drake J, Wellons JC, Tamber MS, Shannon CN, Simon TD, Pollack IF, McDonald PJ, Krieger MD, Chu J, Hankinson TC, Jackson EM, Alvey JS, Reeder RW, Holubkov R, Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network.
    Predictors of fast and ultrafast shunt failure in pediatric hydrocephalus: a Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network study.
    33338993 Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics, 2020 Dec 18 : 1-10
  • Bass DI, Lee A, Browd SR, Ellenbogen RG, Hauptman JS
    Medicolegal issues in abusive head trauma for the pediatric neurosurgeon.
    33130608 Neurosurgical focus, 2020 Nov. : 49(5)E23
  • Jeon TY, Poliakov AV, Friedman SD, Bozarth XL, Novotny EJ, Hauptman JS, Moon SH, Shaw DWW
    Structural MRI and tract-based spatial statistical analysis of diffusion tensor imaging in children with hemimegalencephaly.
    32651620 Neuroradiology, 2020 Nov. : 62(11)1467-1474
  • Crotty EE, Leary SES, Geyer JR, Olson JM, Millard NE, Sato AA, Ermoian RP, Cole BL, Lockwood CM, Paulson VA, Browd SR, Ellenbogen RG, Hauptman JS, Lee A, Ojemann JG, Vitanza NA
    Children with DIPG and high-grade glioma treated with temozolomide, irinotecan, and bevacizumab: the Seattle Children's Hospital experience.
    32556862 Journal of neuro-oncology, 2020 July : 148(3)607-617
  • Pindrik J, Riva-Cambrin J, Kulkarni AV, Alvey JS, Reeder RW, Pollack IF, Wellons JC, Jackson EM, Rozzelle CJ, Whitehead WE, Limbrick DD, Naftel RP, Shannon C, McDonald PJ, Tamber MS, Hankinson TC, Hauptman JS, Simon TD, Krieger MD, Holubkov R, Kestle JRW, Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network.
    Surgical resource utilization after initial treatment of infant hydrocephalus: comparing ETV, early experience of ETV with choroid plexus cauterization, and shunt insertion in the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network.
    32559741 Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics, 2020 Jun 19 : 1-9
  • Young CC, Williams JR, Feroze AH, McGrath M, Ravanpay AC, Ellenbogen RG, Ojemann JG, Hauptman JS
    Pediatric functional hemispherectomy: operative techniques and complication avoidance.
    32234987 Neurosurgical focus, 2020 Apr 1 : 48(4)E9
  • Feroze AH, McGrath M, Williams JR, Young CC, Ene CI, Buckley RT, Cole BL, Ojemann JG, Hauptman JS
    Laser interstitial thermal therapy for pediatric atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor: case report.
    31896085 Neurosurgical focus, 2020 Jan 1 : 48(1)E11
  • Bass DI, Shurtleff H, Warner M, Knott D, Poliakov A, Friedman S, Collins MJ, Lopez J, Lockrow JP, Novotny EJ, Ojemann JG, Hauptman JS
    Awake Mapping of the Auditory Cortex during Tumor Resection in an Aspiring Musical Performer: A Case Report.
    33260181 Pediatric neurosurgery, 2020 : 55(6)351-358
  • Williams JR, Young CC, Vitanza NA, McGrath M, Feroze AH, Browd SR, Hauptman JS
    Progress in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma: advocating for stereotactic biopsy in the standard of care.
    31896081 Neurosurgical focus, 2020 Jan 1 : 48(1)E4
  • Susarla SM, Hauptman J, Ettinger R, Sittler B, Ellenbogen RG
    Acellular Dermal Matrix as a Definitive Reconstructive Option for Management of a Large Myelomeningocele Defect in the Setting of Severe Lumbar Kyphosis.
    31247357 World neurosurgery, 2019 Sept. : 129363-366
  • Young CC, Ellenbogen RG, Hauptman JS
    Acute traumatic presentation of Chiari I malformation with central cord syndrome and presyrinx in an infant.
    31893154 Surgical neurology international, 2019 : 10253 PMCID:PMC6935965
  • Kuo CH, Feroze AH, Poliachik SL, Hauptman JS, Novotny EJ Jr, Ojemann JG
    Laser Ablation Therapy for Pediatric Patients with Intracranial Lesions in Eloquent Areas.
    30261370 World neurosurgery, 2019 Jan. : 121e191-e199
  • Tucker AM, Morgenstern P, Diaz D, Sedighim S, Shaul D, Sydorak R, Fedor M, Lee A, Hauptman J
    Neurosurgical management of Currarino syndrome: A case series and review of literature.
    31528408 Surgical neurology international, 2019 : 1070 PMCID:PMC6744743
  • Hauptman JS, Bollo R, Damerla R, Gibbs B, Lo C, Katz A, Greene S
    Coincident myelomeningocele and gastroschisis: report of 2 cases.
    29521606 Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics, 2018 Mar 9 : 1-4
  • Chiarelli PA, Hauptman JS, Browd SR
    Machine Learning and the Prediction of Hydrocephalus: Can Quantitative Image Analysis Assist the Clinician?
    29255848 JAMA pediatrics, 2018 Feb 1 : 172(2)116-118
  • Ivan Y, Hauptman J, Marin JR
    Abdominal Cerebrospinal Fluid Pseudocyst Diagnosed by Point-of-Care Ultrasound.
    27253360 Pediatric emergency care, 2016 June : 32(6)408-9
  • Ivan Y, Hauptman J, Marin JR
    Abdominal Cerebrospinal Fluid Pseudocyst Diagnosed by Point-of-Care Ultrasound.
    27253360 Pediatric emergency care, 2016 June : 32(6)408-9
  • Kim W, Chivukula S, Hauptman J, Pouratian N
    Diffusion Tensor Imaging-Based Thalamic Segmentation in Deep Brain Stimulation for Chronic Pain Conditions.
    27537848 Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, 2016 : 94(4)225-234 PMCID:PMC5083182
  • Kim W, Chivukula S, Hauptman J, Pouratian N
    Diffusion Tensor Imaging-Based Thalamic Segmentation in Deep Brain Stimulation for Chronic Pain Conditions.
    27537848 Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, 2016 : 94(4)225-234 PMCID:PMC5083182
  • Gandhoke GS, Hauptman JS, Salvetti DJ, Weiner GM, Panigrahy A, Yilmaz S, Pollack IF
    Transosseous cerebrospinal fluid fistula 14 years after Chiari decompression: presentation and management.
    25978535 Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics, 2015 Aug. : 16(2)146-9
  • Gandhoke GS, Hauptman JS, Salvetti DJ, Weiner GM, Panigrahy A, Yilmaz S, Pollack IF
    Transosseous cerebrospinal fluid fistula 14 years after Chiari decompression: presentation and management.
    25978535 Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics, 2015 Aug. : 16(2)146-9
  • Hauptman JS, Dadour A, Oh T, Baca CB, Vickrey BG, Vassar S, Sankar R, Salamon N, Vinters HV, Mathern GW
    Time to pediatric epilepsy surgery is longer and developmental outcomes lower for government compared with private insurance.
    23615092 Neurosurgery, 2013 July : 73(1)152-7
  • Baca CB, Vickrey BG, Vassar S, Hauptman JS, Dadour A, Oh T, Salamon N, Vinters HV, Sankar R, Mathern GW
    Time to pediatric epilepsy surgery is related to disease severity and nonclinical factors.
    23468549 Neurology, 2013 Mar 26 : 80(13)1231-9 PMCID:PMC3691779
  • Hauptman JS, Dadour A, Oh T, Baca CB, Vickrey BG, Vassar SD, Sankar R, Salamon N, Vinters HV, Mathern GW
    Sociodemographic changes over 25 years of pediatric epilepsy surgery at UCLA.
    23331214 Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics, 2013 March : 11(3)250-5 PMCID:PMC3832187
  • Lall RR, Lall RR, Hauptman JS, Munoz C, Cybulski GR, Koski T, Ganju A, Fessler RG, Smith ZA
    Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in spine surgery: indications, efficacy, and role of the preoperative checklist.
    23116090 Neurosurgical focus, 2012 Nov. : 33(5)E10
  • Hauptman JS, Pedram K, Sison CA, Sankar R, Salamon N, Vinters HV, Mathern GW
    Pediatric epilepsy surgery: long-term 5-year seizure remission and medication use.
    22895408 Neurosurgery, 2012 Nov. : 71(5)985-93
  • Hauptman JS, Mathern GW
    Surgical treatment of epilepsy associated with cortical dysplasia: 2012 update.
    22946727 Epilepsia, 2012 Sept. : 53 Suppl 498-104
  • Hauptman JS, Salamon N, Mathern GW
    Neuroimaging in the definition and organization of the epilepsies: we're not there yet.
    22765501 Epilepsia, 2012 July : 53 Suppl 222-7 PMCID:PMC3397398
  • Hauptman JS, Barkhoudarian G, Safaee M, Gorgulho A, Tenn S, Agazaryan N, Selch M, De Salles AA
    Challenges in linear accelerator radiotherapy for chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base: focus on complications.
    22137019 International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics, 2012 Jun 1 : 83(2)542-51
  • Cepeda C, André VM, Hauptman JS, Yamazaki I, Huynh MN, Chang JW, Chen JY, Fisher RS, Vinters HV, Levine MS, Mathern GW
    Enhanced GABAergic network and receptor function in pediatric cortical dysplasia Type IIB compared with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.
    21889982 Neurobiology of disease, 2012 Jan. : 45(1)310-21 PMCID:PMC3225687
  • Everson R, Hauptman JS
    From the bench to the bedside: Brain-machine interfaces in spinal cord injury, the blood-brain barrier, and neurodegeneration, using the hippocampus to improve cognition, metabolism, and epilepsy, and understanding axonal death.
    23087824 Surgical neurology international, 2012 : 3108 PMCID:PMC3475876
  • Chow DS, Hauptman JS, Wong TT, Gonzalez NR, Martin NA, Lignelli AA, Itagaki MW
    Changes in stroke research productivity: A global perspective.
    22439118 Surgical neurology international, 2012 : 327 PMCID:PMC3307235
  • Hauptman JS, Mathern GW
    Epilepsy neurosurgery in children.
    22939072 Handbook of clinical neurology, 2012 : 108881-95
  • Hauptman JS, Mathern GW
    Vagal nerve stimulation for pharmacoresistant epilepsy in children.
    23230532 Surgical neurology international, 2012 : 3(Suppl 4)S269-74 PMCID:PMC3514916
  • Hauptman JS, Chow DS, Martin NA, Itagaki MW
    Research productivity in neurosurgery: trends in globalization, scientific focus, and funding.
    21962030 Journal of neurosurgery, 2011 Dec. : 115(6)1262-72
  • Hauptman JS, Moftakhar P, Dadour A, Malkasian D, Martin NA
    Advances in the biology of cerebral cavernous malformations.
    20975979 Surgical neurology international, 2010 Oct 11 : 163 PMCID:PMC2958334
  • Cepeda C, André VM, Yamazaki I, Hauptman JS, Chen JY, Vinters HV, Mathern GW, Levine MS
    Comparative study of cellular and synaptic abnormalities in brain tissue samples from pediatric tuberous sclerosis complex and cortical dysplasia type II.
    20618424 Epilepsia, 2010 July : 51 Suppl 3160-5 PMCID:PMC2909023
  • He W, Hauptman J, Pasupuleti L, Setton A, Farrow MG, Kasper L, Karimi R, Gandhi CD, Catrambone JE, Prestigiacomo CJ
    True posterior communicating artery aneurysms: are they more prone to rupture? A biomorphometric analysis.
    19747044 Journal of neurosurgery, 2010 March : 112(3)611-5
  • Lerner JT, Salamon N, Hauptman JS, Velasco TR, Hemb M, Wu JY, Sankar R, Donald Shields W, Engel J Jr, Fried I, Cepeda C, Andre VM, Levine MS, Miyata H, Yong WH, Vinters HV, Mathern GW
    Assessment and surgical outcomes for mild type I and severe type II cortical dysplasia: a critical review and the UCLA experience.
    19175385 Epilepsia, 2009 June : 50(6)1310-35
  • Moftakhar P, Hauptman JS, Malkasian D, Martin NA
    Cerebral arteriovenous malformations. Part 1: cellular and molecular biology.
    19408988 Neurosurgical focus, 2009 May : 26(5)E10
  • Moftakhar P, Hauptman JS, Malkasian D, Martin NA
    Cerebral arteriovenous malformations. Part 2: physiology.
    19408989 Neurosurgical focus, 2009 May : 26(5)E11
  • Hauptman JS, DeSalles AA, Espinoza R, Sedrak M, Ishida W
    Potential surgical targets for deep brain stimulation in treatment-resistant depression.
    18590380 Neurosurgical focus, 2008 : 25(1)E3

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