About Dr. Alen A. Nourian
Alen A. Nourian, MD received his bachelor’s degree with honors in pre-med, economics and education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He graduated from UCLA in the top one percent of his class. From there, Dr. Nourian attended medical school at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. He graduated with honors and was awarded Alpha Omega Alpha, a top honor society medical school award given only to the top 10% of graduates.
Following medical school, Dr. Nourian moved to New York City where he completed his orthopedic surgery internship and residency training at the Downstate Medical Center. During residency, Dr. Nourian was the chief resident of the orthopedic department. He then returned to Southern California to pursue a one-year fellowship in spine surgery at the San Diego Center of Spinal Disorder in San Diego. There, he specialized in the management of spinal disorders in adults and children.
Dr. Nourian has lectured both nationally and internationally about his research on spinal disorders and treatments for both anterior and lateral spinal fusion. He has been published in multiple journals and has written several book chapters. Upon completion of his fellowship training, he joined the doctors of Ventura Orthopedics in the Simi Valley location until 2020, and currently oversees his own orthopedic spine surgery and general orthopedics practice, with offices in Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, North Hollywood, West Covina, and Rancho Cucamonga.
Dr. Nourian enjoys playing basketball, football, cycling, traveling, paddle boarding and family activities.
Education
University of California, LA
Undergraduate Degree
September 2000-June 2005
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
- Overall GPA: 3.94
- Summa Cum Laude
- College Honors
- Golden Key National Honor Society President
University of Southern California
July 2005-May 2009
Medical Doctor
- Senior AOA
- Step 1 score: 243
Downstate Medical Center
Brooklyn, NY
July 2009-June 2014
Chief Resident
- Member of the graduate Medical Education Council
San Diego Center of Spinal Disorder
August 2014-July 2015
Orthopedic Spine Fellowship Surgeon
Work Experience
Ventura Orthopedics
Simi Valley, CA
Orthopedic Spine Attending
September 2015-2020
US HealthWorks/Concentra
Oxnard, CA
Orthopedic Spine Attending
January 2018-present
Simi Valley Hospital
Simi Valley, CA
Director of Orthopedic Spine
Septemtber2017-present
Cedars-Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital
Marina Del Rey, CA
Spine Surgeon
Septemtber2017-present
Languages Spoken
English
Spanish
Farsi
Persian
Publications
Nourian, AA and Eastlack, R.
Nourian, AA and Akbarnia, BA.
Alen Nourian and Aristo Vojdani.
Alen Nourian and Aristo Vojdani.
Research Experience
SUNY Downstate Department of Orthopedics
Brooklyn, NY
Researcher Assistant – January 2012-May 2014
I am currently investigating the anatomy of the Lumbar Plexus and Psoas Muscle using MRI on scoliotic curves with respect to the surgical approach for lateral transpsoas interbody fusion
SUNY Downstate Department of Orthopedics
Brooklyn, NY
Researcher Assistant – March 2011 – May 2012
Abstract: Rasquinha V., Nourian A., Maheshwari A.,; Are ‘Smart Phone’ cameras safe for intraoperative photography in Orthopedic Surgery?
Department of Neurosurgery at USC
Los Angeles, CA
Researcher Assistant – January 2006-April 2007
Poster Presented: Orning J., Nourian A., Zhou B., Zee C., Oh B., Giannotta S., (2007, April). A Lower Admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Score Corresponds to an Increased Likelihood of Marshall Classification Progression. Poster presented at: American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting; Washington, DC
Immunoscience Laboratory
Los Angeles, CA
Researcher Assistant – January 2003-May 2005
- Conducting research on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Autism through advanced immunology and microbiology lab techniques involving expansive test samples to determine genetic and environmental links to the disease.
- Directed by Dr. Aristo Vojdani.
- Publication: Alen Nourian and Aristo Vojdani. “Heat Shock Protein and Gliadin Peptide Promote Development of Peptidase Antibodies in Children with Autism and Patients with Autoimmune Disease.” Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, May 2004, p. 515-524, Vol. 11, No. 3
- Publication: Alen Nourian and Aristo Vojdani. “Immune Response to Dietary Proteins, Gliadin and Cerebellar Peptides in Children with Autism”. Nutritional Neuroscience,
4.9 STARS
4.8 STARS
5 STARS
Dr. Alen Nourian takes his Spine Practice Solo
Volunteer & Leadership Experience
Federation Tutoring Program
Los Angeles, CA
Director – September 2000-May 2005
- Community based non-profit weekly tutoring program for disadvantaged foreign students. Tutor in subjects of math, English, writing, reading comprehension and various specialized subjects, as needed, for students in grades 1-12. Tutoring is conducted every Saturday from 12-3 PM.
- Recognized tutoring program through UCLA Department of Education and UCLA Medical School.
- Currently over 65 tutees and 25 tutors
UCLA Education Department
Westwood, CA
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant – January 2001-June 2003
- Helped remove student’s academic limitations and enhance their abilities by creating tailored instruction.
- Selected by Education Department faculty to assist a group of 45 students to help with higher learning skills.
- Trained and instructed students on how to be an effective tutor, by discussing issues about education and leadership, encourage self-empowerment, to act as positive role models, optimal learning, and elevating self-esteem among the tutees.
Golden Key International Honour Society
Westwood, CA
President and Social Chair Executive Board Member – January 2001-June 2003
- In addition to recognizing and encouraging scholastic achievement, Golden Key also utilizes a student organization to implement service projects and to reach out to the student body.
- In my Executive Board position, I would set up different social activities to help have members to get to know their UCLA Executive Board Members.
- My duties as President are to organize, plan and work to ensure the continuation and overall success of the UCLA chapter. I also call meetings of the officers and manage the planning and implementation of the induction ceremony and reception.
- Headed by Associate Dean of students, Dean Joan Nelson.
American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
President – September 2006-September 2007
The American Medical Student Association is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. With more than 68,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents, and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training and to advancing the profession of medicine.
Surgical Student Interest Group
Los Angeles, CA
Co-Leader – September 2006-September 2007
- SSIG (Surgical Student Interest Group) is a student-run organization designed to provide activities and greater exposure for medical students interested in surgery as a future career.
- We provided students with lectures, shadowing opportunities, surgical workshops, mentoring and research opportunities.
Medical Scholars Program
Academic Tutor – August 2006-April 2007
This program selected second year medical students who excelled in certain subjects to provide academic help to first year medical students. As a second year medical student I was chosen to tutor first year medical students in the areas of epidemiology and gross anatomy.
Professional Affiliations
Dr. Nourian is affiliated with American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, California Medical Association, North American Spine Society, Ventura County Medical Association.
