George J. Kaptain
MD, FAANS

Board Certified by the American board of neurological surgery

Dr. Kaptain is a conscientious, thoughtful, kind and skilled board certified neurosurgeon with more than 25 years of experience managing a busy clinical practice in clinical research and teaching. He specializes in the surgical and radiosurgical treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the brain, pituitary, skull base and spine.

Meet The Expert

Doctor's Biography

Dr. Kaptain is an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and serves as the Surgical Director of Neuro-Oncology, Skull-Base Surgery, and Radiosurgery at the John Theurer Cancer Center of Hackensack Meridian Health. He has served as site director for the neurosurgical residency and directs a fellowship in Surgical Neuro-Oncology. He has been an investigator in over 20 clinical trials for glioblastoma, placing him and his department at the forefront of brain tumor treatment.

Dedicated to enhancing patient care, Dr. Kaptain has built a multi-disciplinary team of specialists at the Hackensack University Medical Center, including neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, neuropathologists, and radiologists. His compassionate approach provides patients and their families with sound guidance for even the most complex cases.

 

I am forever grateful to Dr. Kaptain and his team. He performed a complex brain surgery on me that quite literally saved my life. His skill, precision, and expertise are second to none, but what truly sets him apart is his compassion and bedside manner. From the very first consultation, he took the time to explain everything in detail, answer all my questions, and reassure me through one of the most difficult times of my life.
Dr Kaptain has been very attentive and compassionate since I started to see him as a patient.
The most qualified and excellent professional I know. As a person, unbeatable.
Dr. Kaptain takes his time to explain and answer all questions. He has a caring and compassionate manner. Grateful to have him on my team of doctors.
Dr George Kaptain is a stellar neurosurgeon! He is a shining star. He consistently displays exceptional qualities and he is outstanding in his field. He possesses a high level of medical knowledge and skill, but also is compassionate with empathy and is admired by everyone. I had a meningioma in my frontal lobe. He waited for years to do the surgery until he felt it was time.Dr Kaptain was amazing. and the surgery went well With his impeccable skills and a heart like no other. He gave me and my Family his cell phone in case we had any questions or concerns about the surgery and proceeded to do the same after the surgery. Yes this was a wonderful experience and it could have been totally different. Dr Kaptain is a remarkable surgeon as well as a remarkable man! I highly recommend him!
Diann Bowe
I would highly recommend Dr Kaptain. He is caring and listens to you. Dr Kaptain spends time with you and doesn’t rush you out of his office.
Dr. Kaptain is truly one of a kind. From the moment I stepped into the office, I felt seen, heard, and genuinely cared for. Dr. Kaptain not only took the time to listen to my concerns but also explained everything in a way that was easy to understand and incredibly reassuring.

What sets Dr. Kaptain apart is not just medical expertise, but a deep compassion and commitment to patient care. I never felt rushed or overlooked—every appointment felt personal, thoughtful, and thorough. It’s clear that Dr. Kaptain treats patients as people, not just cases.

Thanks to Dr. Kaptain, I’ve found not just a doctor I trust, but an advocate for my health and well-being. I’m beyond grateful for the care I’ve received and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Dr. Kaptain to anyone looking for a doctor who leads with both skill and heart.
Very nice people working at the office.
Dr explains great and does take time with the patient no rush at all.
Thank you all highly recommend.
Dr Kaptain is extremely knowledgeable and takes his time to answer questions from the patient and family.
Very kind. Great bedside manner. Explained everything in detail. Felt very comfortable with him. Highly recommend.
New Jersey Brain and Spine | George J. Kaptain

Education and Fellowship

Medical School

University of Virginia

Residency

University of Virginia Department of Neurosurgery

Fellowship

Neuropathology, University of Virginia Department of Neurosurgery; Spinal Surgery, University of Virginia Department of Orthopedics; Skull-base Surgery and Neuro-oncology, Oregon Health Sciences University Department of Neurosurgery

Awards and Recognition

  • Top Doctor, New Jersey Monthly: Perennial Recipient
  • Most Compassionate Doctor, Consumer Research Council: Perennial Recipient
  • Patient Choice Award, Consumer Research Council: Perennial Recipient
  • Resident Teaching Award, University of Virginia School of Medicine: 1999-2000

Hospital Affiliations

  • Clara Maass Medical Center
  • Englewood Health
  • Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside Medical Center
  • Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center
  • Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center
  • Hackensack University Medical Center
  • Holy Name Medical Center
  • Saint Barnabas Medical Center
  • The Valley Hospital

Professional Memberships

  • Alpha Omega Alpha Society
  • American Association of Neurological Surgeons
  • American College of Surgeons
  • Congress of Neurological Surgeons
  • Pituitary Society
  • Society of Neuro-Oncology

Posts by Dr. George J. Kaptain

Radiation Therapy for Meningioma: Exploring Targeted Treatment Approaches

A meningioma is often slow growing and may require Radiation Therapy for treatment; symptoms may […]

How serious is a brain tumor

When it Comes to Brain Tumors: Caution is Key

What Are Brain Tumors? A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells inside the […]

looking at MRI for meningioma treatment

Road to Recovery: Surgical and Non-Surgical Approaches for Meningioma Treatment

What is a Meningioma? A meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges — […]

Doctor Sharing Scans

Top 3 Reasons NJBS’ Approach to Brain and Spinal Tumors Is So Effective

Among all of the diagnostic terms, “tumor” is perhaps the most difficult one to accept. […]

Brain-Cancer

John Theurer Cancer Center Treats First Patient in U.S. with Investigational New Treatment for Brain Cancer | BioSpace

This is an excerpt from an article in BioSpace on a new brain cancer treatment […]

brain-tumor-diagnosis

Neurosurgeon Offers Top Advice for Patients with a Brain Tumor Diagnosis

The shock and disbelief that patients experience upon first being told of a brain tumor […]

feb-2020-kaptain

Meet Neurosurgeon George J. Kaptain, MD, Expert in Brain, Spine and Skull-Base Tumors

When George J. Kaptain, MD, decided to become a physician, he had some big shoes […]

Dr. George Kaptain and the Society for NeuroOncology logo

Work with Toca 511 in glioblastoma presented at Society for Neuro-Oncology Meeting

Dr. Kaptain presented his work with Toca 511 in glioblastoma at the Annual Meeting of […]