Dr. Mariel Szapiel, MD

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Transforming Lives Through Compassionate Care and Cutting-Edge Techniques

Central Florida – Mariel Szapiel, MD, a board-certified and fellowship-trained neurosurgeon, is proud to announce her private practice specializing in functional neurosurgery, where innovative techniques and compassionate care converge to enhance neurological health and improve patients’ quality of life. With a focus on treating complex neurological disorders, Dr. Szapiel employs a range of advanced procedures that modulate neural activity to alleviate symptoms and enhance daily functioning.

Dr. Szapiel’s expertise lies in functional neurosurgery, a specialized field dedicated to addressing neurological conditions through targeted interventions. She is highly skilled in the placement of deep brain stimulators for movement disorders and utilizes advanced neuromodulation techniques for conditions such as medically refractory epilepsy, including vagus nerve stimulators and responsive neurostimulation devices. Additionally, she offers pain management solutions through various stimulators and performs general neurosurgery procedures, including spinal surgeries and brain tumor removals.

Interested in the sciences since a young age, Dr. Szapiel earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico in 1999, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She continued her academic excellence by obtaining her Medical Degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in 2003, also graduating Magna Cum Laude. During her medical education, she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society, recognizing her academic achievements.

Completing her residency at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus in 2010, Dr. Szapiel became one of only two female graduates from her medical school to achieve a residency in neurological surgery in the United States. She continued her training with a year-long fellowship in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, where she gained invaluable expertise in advanced neuromodulation techniques. Her fellowship research included deep brain stimulation (often referred to as “brain pacemakers”) for movement disorders and other neurological conditions such as disability from stroke, traumatic brain injury, psychiatric disorders, and obesity. Additionally, she obtained substantial experience with other neuromodulation methods, including spinal cord and occipital nerve stimulation for pain management.

Before establishing her practice in Central Florida, Dr. Szapiel led the functional neurosurgery program at Swedish Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, the North American Neuromodulation Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. 

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Szapiel is committed to providing personalized care to her diverse patient population. Her practice embodies her dedication to improving the lives of those affected by neurological disorders, making her a valuable asset to the Central Florida community.

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