Elias Rizk, MD, PhD

Clinical Biography

Elias Rizk, MD, PhD, is a board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon and the Co-Chief for UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. He also serves as the Chief of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Clinic within the UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s. Additionally, Dr. Rizk is a professor and serves as the Division Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery for the Dell Medical School Department of Neurosurgery at The University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Rizk earned his medical degree from the American University of Beirut in Beirut, Lebanon and both his doctoral and master’s degree from Penn State University. He completed a residency in neurological surgery at Penn State University, a fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at The University of Birmingham at Alabama, and a fellowship in enfolded neurosurgery at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, Australia. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroregeneration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Rizk’s clinical interests include pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors, minimally invasive endoscopic approaches to brain tumors and hydrocephalus, congenital spinal anomalies, craniocervical abnormalities, vascular malformations, spasticity and dorsal rhizotomy, craniofacial disorders, Chiari Malformations, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies in neurosurgery. He is passionate about advancing clinical outcomes through research and education, and actively contributes to the field both nationally and internationally. His research focuses on translating scientific advances into clinical practice, and he has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and presented at global conferences. He is dedicated to mentoring future surgeons and has earned recognition as Physician and Teacher of the Year. He has also received numerous awards, including the Lockheed Martin Best Project Award, the Dr. Kenneth Shulman Award, and the Senior Society Award. He continues to drive innovation through multiple funded research initiatives in neurosurgery.

Dr. Rizk is a pediatric neurosurgeon with UT Health Austin.