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Home > CA Providers > Neurosurgeons

Dr. William R. Taylor, MD

(William Taylor, MD)

(246 Ratings)

Specializes in: Neurosurgery and General Practice

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine

Professional interests include: minimally invasive spine surgery, hydrocephalus, spine problems, and more.

9350 Campus Point Drive
San Diego, CA 92037

(619) 543-5540

Dr. William R. Taylor, MD is a neurosurgeon in San Diego, CA specializing in neurosurgery and general practice. He graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. William R. Taylor, MD is affiliated with UC San Diego Health and UC San Diego Health.

Office Locations

9350 Campus Point Drive
San Diego, CA 92037

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4250 First Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103

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Some issues Dr. William R. Taylor, MD can help you with:

Hydrocephalus

Normally, the brain is bathed in a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid cushions and nurtures the brain cells as it flows around and through the brain. Sometimes, cerebrospinal fluid does not get reabsorbed into the body properly, or a blockage in the brain can stop it from flowing. This causes a buildup of pressure called hydrocephalus. This condition affects a wide range of people, but it is much more prevalent among infants and older adults. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as headaches and blurred vision, and eventually may cause brain damage.

Hydrocephalus is most often treated with an implanted device called a shunt. A shunt is a long, thin tube that is used to drain excess fluid. One end is placed within the brain. The tube runs under the skin, along the neck behind the ear, and to another part of the body where the fluid can be reabsorbed. Most often this is the abdomen, but the chest or other areas can also be used. Shunts have a valve that allows doctors to monitor and control the pressure within the brain. Insertion of a shunt is a surgical procedure that takes one to two hours. Incisions are made in the head and the abdomen, and the shunt is threaded into place before the openings are stitched closed.

In cases where hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage, a procedure called endoscopic third ventriculostomy, or ETV, may be performed. During this procedure, a surgeon makes a dime-sized hole in the skull and uses a thin tube with a camera on the end (called an endoscope) to see inside the brain. The surgeon punctures a hole in the floor of the third ventricle, a fluid-filled space within the brain. The hole provides an opening for cerebrospinal fluid to flow around the blockage, normalizing pressure. The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour and patients can often go home the following day. ETV can provide a permanent and safe alternative to a shunt, but it is only useful for patients whose hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, using a tiny opening to get inside the body instead of making a large cut. It uses small tools attached to a thin robotic arm, which is controlled by the surgeon. Robotic surgery may be referred to by the specific kind of robot that is used. The most advanced robot currently in use is called the da Vinci, and surgery using it is sometimes called da Vinci surgery.

There are many benefits to robotic surgery, both for the patient and the surgeon. Robotic surgery allows for more precise movements and increased control during very delicate surgical procedures. This makes performing surgery accurately much easier for surgeons and reduces fatigue. The smaller 'hand' of the robot can enter the body via a much smaller opening, which reduces the risk of infection and scarring and leads to a faster recovery. The robotic hands also contain tiny moveable cameras among their tools, giving surgeons a much closer view of the procedure than would be possible with traditional surgery.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“SAN DIEGO - Bill Taylor has an unglamorous job of taping ankles, wrapping knees and massaging muscles, but to his patients, he's known as "Movie Star" and "Mr....”—"He's a Star in Training : Taylor Tries to Keep the Sockers Rolling", Los Angeles Times, December 2024

“We asked Dr. William Taylor, a neurosurgeon at UC San Diego Health System, to explain the nature of degenerative scoliosis and how some patients can stand taller, faster.”—"Minimally invasive surgery the kindest cut of all", The San Diego Union-Tribune, May 2013

“The article "UCSD neurosurgeon fined over research payments" (Watchdog, Jan. 20) is misleading and prejudicial about Dr. William Taylor.”—"Letters: business climate, water rates, SDSU and UCSD", The San Diego Union-Tribune, January 2011

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	98

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. William R. Taylor, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in San Diego, CA during 2013 were spinal procedures, nerve procedures, decompression surgery and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	14
decompression surgery	18
doctor visit	252
minimally invasive procedures	14
nerve procedures	18
spinal procedures	32

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD.

**Gender**
Male	88
Female	99

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	148
Black	0
Hispanic	22
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	78
From 75 to 84	70
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD in 2013

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	20
Dementia	0
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. William R. Taylor, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in San Diego, CA during 2014 were spinal procedures, nerve procedures, decompression surgery and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	11
decompression surgery	25
doctor visit	249
minimally invasive procedures	11
nerve procedures	25
spinal procedures	47

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD.

**Gender**
Male	98
Female	102

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	168
Black	0
Hispanic	13
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	98
From 75 to 84	68
85 and over	11
Less than 65	23

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD in 2014

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	16
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	27
Dementia	0
Cancer	16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. William R. Taylor, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in San Diego, CA during 2015 were nerve procedures, decompression surgery and spinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery	19
doctor visit	237
nerve procedures	19
spinal procedures	19

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD.

**Gender**
Male	174
Female	222

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	318
Black	0
Hispanic	36
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	180
From 75 to 84	118
85 and over	32
Less than 65	66

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD in 2015

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	15
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	25
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. William R. Taylor, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in San Diego, CA during 2016 were nerve procedures, decompression surgery and spinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery	16
doctor visit	240
nerve procedures	16
spinal procedures	16

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD.

**Gender**
Male	106
Female	100

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	153
Black	0
Hispanic	31
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	110
From 75 to 84	54
85 and over	13
Less than 65	29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD in 2016

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	25
Dementia	6
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. William R. Taylor, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in San Diego, CA during 2017 were nerve procedures, decompression surgery and spinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery	14
doctor visit	242
nerve procedures	14
spinal procedures	14

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD.

**Gender**
Male	99
Female	91

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	137
Black	0
Hispanic	32
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	104
From 75 to 84	59
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD in 2017

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	33
Dementia	8
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. William R. Taylor, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in San Diego, CA during 2018 were nerve procedures, decompression surgery and spinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery	11
doctor visit	180
nerve procedures	11
spinal procedures	11

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD.

**Gender**
Male	92
Female	89

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	122
Black	0
Hispanic	29
Asian	0
Other	13
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	91
From 75 to 84	57
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD in 2018

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	23
Dementia	8
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	202

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD.

**Gender**
Male	92
Female	93

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	139
Black	0
Hispanic	26
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	90
From 75 to 84	64
85 and over	12
Less than 65	19

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD in 2019

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	20
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	26
Dementia	11
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. William R. Taylor, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in San Diego, CA during 2020 were nerve procedures, decompression surgery and spinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery	14
doctor visit	163
nerve procedures	14
spinal procedures	14

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD.

**Gender**
Male	79
Female	87

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	134
Black	0
Hispanic	17
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	86
From 75 to 84	47
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD in 2020

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	20
Dementia	10
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. William R. Taylor, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in San Diego, CA during 2021 were nerve procedures, decompression surgery and spinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery	16
doctor visit	143
nerve procedures	16
spinal procedures	16

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD.

**Gender**
Male	73
Female	62

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	98
Black	0
Hispanic	11
Asian	0
Other	14
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	67
From 75 to 84	44
85 and over	13
Less than 65	11

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD in 2021

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	43
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	28
Dementia	8
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	182

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD.

**Gender**
Male	82
Female	78

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	122
Black	0
Hispanic	14
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	75
From 75 to 84	54
85 and over	14
Less than 65	17

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD in 2022

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	74
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	19
Osteoperosis	23
Atrial Fibrilation	17
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	31
Dementia	0
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. William R. Taylor, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in San Diego, CA were spinal procedures, nerve procedures, decompression surgery and minimally invasive procedures.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	12
decompression surgery	16
doctor visit	198
minimally invasive procedures	12
nerve procedures	16
spinal procedures	21

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD.

**Gender**
Male	89
Female	93

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	139
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	21
Other	2

**Age**
75 to 84	57
85 and over	8
Less than 65	15
65 to 74	89

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. William R. Taylor, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and depression.

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	10
Osteoporosis	12
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	23
Atrial Fibrillation	10
Dementia	4
Cancer	11

Education & Training

Dr. William R. Taylor, MD graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine. He completed residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and has a state license in California.

Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine

Residency: Albert Einstein College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals

Board Certification: American Board of Neurological Surgery

Licensed In: California

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. William R. Taylor, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UC San Diego Health

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. William R. Taylor, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.56 out of 5 stars based on 246 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. William R. Taylor, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in San Diego, CA.

4.56

Overall Rating

(246 Ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
NUVASIVE, INC.	$4,101,903 Thoracolumbar $1,062,651	Traverse $909,572	Cervicothoracic $613,446	SpheRx $533,855	NVM5 $411,071	Other $571,308
Alphatec Spine, Inc	$2,010,738 Illico $1,715,011	Other - Miscellaneous $156,134	LLIF $22,261	LIF $17,166	Lateral $15,356	Other $84,810
DePuy Synthes Products LLC	$56,080 Spine $11,168	ANSPACH $10,074	Neurosurgery $2,407	VBA $430	VIPER $179	Other $31,822
DePuy Orthopaedics Inc.	$43,304 Spine $41,050	NAVIGATION $2,000	Cranial ReconstructionFixation $167	VIPER $87
Safewire, LLC	$33,599 $33,599
Other	$27,538 EXPEDIUM $12,520	Spine $2,266	VIPER $458	CONDUIT $455	General K2M Product Discussion $360	Other $11,479

**Types of Payments**
Royalty or License	$5,576,586
Consulting Fee	$519,642
Travel and Lodging	$98,014
Current or prospective ownership or investment interest	$33,599
Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker for a non-accredited and noncertified continuing education program	$28,250
Other	$17,072

Ownership and Interest Payments

This table describes ownership payments received by Dr. William R. Taylor, MD.

Safewire, LLC

2014

$25,000.00

Physician Covered Recipient

Common share/unit holder

Biography

Dr. William Taylor sees patients in San Diego, CA. His medical specialties are general practice and neurosurgery. These areas are among his clinical interests: concussion, minimally invasive spine surgery, and hydrocephalus. Dr. Taylor's average patient rating is 4.5 stars (out of 5). He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Taylor's medical residency was performed at a hospital affiliated with Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He is professionally affiliated with UC San Diego Health and Regents of the University of California.