Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adult 18-65
- Older Adult 65+
Languages
- English
Gender
MaleAffiliations
- Cooper University Hospital
About Ajith J Thomas
Professional Statement
Dr. Thomas, a neurosurgeon specialized in open and endovascular treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, joined Cooper University Health Care as Chief and Chair of Neurosurgery from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, where he was an Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Brain Aneurysm Institute. Dr. Thomas earned his MD degree from Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. After a year of surgery internship at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, he completed neurosurgery residency training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He then went on to complete a neuroendovascular fellowship at University of Pittsburgh and subsequently was recruited to BIDMC as Chief of Cerebrovascular Surgery in 2007.
During his tenure at BIDMC, he was instrumental in starting and consolidating the medical center's Harvard Medical School-affiliated neurosurgery residency and also served as Director of the Neurointerventional training program. He has trained numerous neurosurgeons who have gone on to become national and international physician leaders.
With more than 300 publications in peer-reviewed literature, his research spans the entire field of cerebrovascular neurosurgery, having also materialized in a US patent for a safe cranial drill for which he was awarded the GM Freudenstein Award. Specifically, he spearheaded the wide adoption of middle meningeal artery embolization, a minimally invasive method of treating chronic subdural hematomas of the brain and contributed to the expanded indications for flow diverter treatment of brain aneurysms. His research of dural AV fistulas of the brain resulted in the widely adopted Thomas classification of carotid cavernous fistulae He has been an invited lecturer both nationally and internationally. He is a member of the editorial board of PLOS One and serves as associate editor for Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology.
In the basic sciences arena, Dr. Thomas' work around the role of early endothelial cells in maintaining a healthy neurovascular niche and in supporting brain development was featured on the cover page of Brain Research. This area of research promises wide implications in our understanding of neurodegenerative disorders and their treatment.
At Cooper, Dr. Thomas has been tasked with building an exceptional neurosurgery department that will build on the existing foundation of competent and compassionate care by further developing all three pillars of excellence in clinical care, education, and research. His clinical practice will continue to focus on cerebrovascular disorders, trigeminal neuralgia, hydrocephalus, and Chiari malformation.
Title
Chairman and Chief, Department of Neurosurgery
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University Titles
Professor of Neurological Surgery
Awards and Honors
Best Resident Paper of the Year, Michigan Association of Neurosurgeons - 1998
Excellence in Medical Device Design Award, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - 2011
Freudenstein/General Motors Young Investigator Award:
Paul M. Loschak, Kechao Xiao, Hao Pei, Samuel B. Kesner, Ajith J. Thomas, Conor J. Walsh, "Assured Safety Drill with Bi-Stable Bit Retraction Mechanism," American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Mechanism and Robotics Conference 2013
Philadelphia Magazine "Top Docs" - 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Professional Memberships
Congress of Neurological SurgeonsAmerican Association of Neurological SurgeonsJoint Cerebrovascular Section, AANS/CNSEditorial Positions
PLOS One, Editorial Board
Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology, Guest Editor
Ad hoc Reviewer: - Journal of Neuroimaging - Indian Journal of Medical Research - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry - Stroke - Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery - Journal of Trauma - American Journal of Neuroradiology - Asian Journal of Neurosurgery - Neurosurgery - PLOS One - World Neurosurgery - Histology and Histopathology - Operative Neurosurgery - Brain Research - BMC Cancer
Departments
Neurosurgery
Surgery
Programs & Centers
Cooper and Inspira Neuroscience
Practice Groups
Cooper University Physicians
Video
Locations
- 3 Cooper Plaza, Sheridan Pavilion, Suite 104, Camden, NJ 08103
- Get Directions
- phone: 856-968-8695
- fax: 856-968-8697
- 2339 Route 70 West, 4th Floor, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
- Get Directions
- phone: 856-546-8525
- fax: 856-546-8527
Clinical Interests
Brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistulas, cavernous malformations, stroke, carotid stenosis, trigeminal neuralgia, Moyamoya disease, hydrocephalus, Chiari malformationEducation and Training
Education
- Fellowship: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology, 2007
- Fellowship: Henry Ford Hospital, Neurological Surgery, 2001
- Internship: Mayo Clinic, General Surgery, 1995
- Internship: University of North Dakota/Sanford Health, Internal Medicine, 1994
- Internship: Christian Medical College, Rotating, 1991
- Medical School: Christian Medical College, 1989
Board Certifications
- Neurological Surgery: American Board of Neurological Surgery, 2006
Insurance
- Aetna Better Health Medicaid HMO
- Aetna Dental Health
- Aetna First Health (Coventry)
- Aetna HMO/PPO/POS
- Aetna Medicare
- Aetna Quality Health
- Aetna Whole Health
- Aetna Workers Comp
- AmeriHealth Comp Services (Workers Comp)
- AmeriHealth HMO/PPO/POS
- AmeriHealth Medicare
- AmeriHealth Value Network
- Braven Health Medicare
- Cigna Evernorth Behavioral Health
- Cigna HMO/PPO/POS
- Cigna Medicare
- Cigna One Health
- Clover Health Medicare PPO
- Consumer Health Network Workers Comp
- Fidelis Care Medicaid HMO
- First MCO Group Health
- First MCO Workers Comp
- Galaxy Health Network Group Health
- Galaxy Health Network Workers Comp
- Guardian
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey HMO/PPO
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Omnia
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey State Benefit Plans
- Horizon NJ Health Medicaid HMO
- Horizon NJ Health NJ Family Kidcare
- Humana Medicare Advantage Medicare HMO
- Humana Medicare Advantage Medicare PPO
- Humana Military Prime
- Humana Military Standard
- Humana Military TriCare
- Independence Blue Cross Comp Services (Workers Comp)
- Independence Blue Cross IBC PPO
- Independence Blue Cross Keystone Healthplan East
- Independence Blue Cross Medicare
- Independence Blue Cross Personal Choice
- Jefferson Health Plans Medicare HMO
- Jefferson Health Plans Medicare PPO
- Liberty Mutual Auto
- Liberty Mutual Workers Comp
- Longevity Health Plan Medicare PPO I-SNP
- Magellan Behavioral Health
- MagnaCare Auto
- MagnaCare Group Health
- MagnaCare Workers Comp
- Medicaid (NJ)
- Medicare
- MultiPlan PHCS
- NJ Manufacturers Auto
- NJ Manufacturers Workers Comp
- Prime Health Services Auto/Workers Comp
- Prime Health Services Group Health
- QualCare Emblem Health
- QualCare HMO/PPO
- QualCare Workers Comp
- Railroad Medicare
- Three Rivers Contigo
- Three Rivers Devon
- United Behavioral Health Group Health
- United Behavioral Health Medicaid
- United Behavioral Health Medicare
- United Behavioral Health Optum
- United Healthcare AARP
- United Healthcare Community Plan Medicaid HMO
- United Healthcare Community Plan NJ Family Kidcare
- United Healthcare Dental
- United Healthcare Dual Complete D-SNP
- United Healthcare Group Health
- United Healthcare Medicaid
- United Healthcare Medicare
- United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
- US Family Health Plan
- VA Community Care Network
- WellCare Medicare
- Wellpoint Medicaid HMO
- Wellpoint Medicare
Ratings & Reviews
4.7 out of 5
115 ratings, 28 reviewsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- Reviewed on 12/23/2025
I like my new doctor. Very professional.
- Reviewed on 11/15/2025
Dr Thomas is an excellent provider!! !
- Reviewed on 10/18/2025
I was very pleased with the way I was treated by everyone
- Reviewed on 10/17/2025
Very helpful, positive
- Reviewed on 10/11/2025
The entire staff was terrific to work with.
- Reviewed on 9/9/2025
Everyone was fantastic!
- Reviewed on 9/5/2025
I was very late the appointment As opposed to cancelling he still seen ne.
- Reviewed on 8/27/2025
everyone was very nice and there was no waiting at any time. Felt very good with Dr. Thomas
- Reviewed on 8/2/2025
Beautiful facility, very clean and well laid out.
- Reviewed on 8/1/2025
I am so thankful for Dr Thomas and nurse Andrea
- Reviewed on 7/26/2025
From start to finish the experience was seamless and positive. The MA, nurse, and provider were very professional and thorough and made me feel very comfortable. This is the first time I actually feel like I am in good hands and have gotten the health answers that I needed.
- Reviewed on 7/22/2025
Dr. Thomas, listened attentively to my concerns/demonstrated patience in making sure I understood the procedural process to remedy one of my medical concerns! Thanks Cooper for having Dr. Thomas as one of your astute Physicians on your staff! Also, thanks for this opportunity to give feedback on my experience! !
- Reviewed on 7/18/2025
The staff was very nice to me and helpful
- Reviewed on 7/8/2025
I left feeling great because I understood what was wrong with me the doctor explained it in detail to me.
- Reviewed on 6/29/2025
Doctor very sympathetic and compassionate
- Reviewed on 6/27/2025
Felt very comfortable
- Reviewed on 6/24/2025
Dr. Ajith and his team are fabulous.
- Reviewed on 6/17/2025
I really like Dr Thomas and his assistant Andrea
- Reviewed on 5/27/2025
I found Dr. Thomas to be very knowledgeable, very thorough, very patient. I also found the RN, his assistant to be patient, answered any questions as well as the doctor, a joyful personality and I would definitely recommend anyone who is considering going to a neurosurgeon to see both of them.
- Reviewed on 5/23/2025
Thank you for your attention, it was very good.
- Reviewed on 4/7/2025
I was very pleased with Dr. Thomas care. He was very thorough in explaining my situation, my circumstances, and made sure that I had a visual to be able to see what he was basing his decisions on. And I appreciated being able to ask as many questions as I wanted to get a greater understanding of the circumstance. And what I should consider in making my decisions. So I was very, very pleased. The one area where it could have been better is we waited a long time. My appointment was at 11:20. It was maybe 11:50 when I finally did get to see Dr. Thomas. And that was because I brought it up to the receptionist that my timing was off, that I had been waiting a while. But long story
- Reviewed on 3/30/2025
Excellent doctor
- Reviewed on 3/12/2025
My family and I are very pleased with Dr Ajith Thomas and the staff they're very professional,caring,and, compassionate.My experience was excellent.
- Reviewed on 3/11/2025
Everyone is exceptionally nice that works there, but I have dealt with.
- Reviewed on 2/26/2025
Wonderful people .
- Reviewed on 2/25/2025
Been using cooper hospital since I was born there back in 1973. It has grown so much, I was impressed when I had my kids there in the 00's but what it is becoming is amazing. I don't even live nearby and I prefer to get myself to Cooper when I need care.
- Reviewed on 2/12/2025
Dr. Thomas really cares about my health and recovery from my surgery. I really appreciate his help.
- Reviewed on 2/11/2025
What I like about was that after 3 years, the doctor he knew who I was.