Richard Vela is a board-certified physician assistant (PA) with robust training and deep roots within the community of Southern California. Richard received his undergraduate bachelor’s degree at Thomas Edison State University in Biology. Richard went on to receive his master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Northeastern University and a recipient of the prestigious Dean's Scholarship. Established in 1971, Northeastern University ranks consistently among the top institutions in the education and training of physician assistants by US News and World Reports. During Richard’s clinical training, he obtained exposure at the nation’s elite hospitals in New England most notably associated with Harvard Medical School and Yale School of Medicine. Richard returned to Southern California after completing training and began working in the capacity of neurosurgery physician assistant at Orange County Neurosurgical Associates. Specifically, Richard works in collaboration with Dr. Farzad Massoudi, a board-certified neurosurgeon with decades of proved expertise and superior outcomes. PAs in Neurosurgery play an integral role in the global management of neurosurgery patients, including all aspects of pre-, intra- and post-operative care. Neurosurgery PAs perform patient histories, help with treatment plans, serve as first assistant in surgery in which they assist with all neurosurgical procedures, manage post-operative care and handle a myriad of office-related duties.