NEUROSURGEON
Rima Sestokas Rindler, MD, FAANS
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Dr. Rima Rindler specialize in?
Skull base and brain tumor surgery, cerebrovascular conditions, and complex spine care, with fellowship training at the Mayo Clinic.
Where does Dr. Rindler see patients?
At Sierra Neurosurgery Group’s Reno, Sparks, and Carson City, Nevada offices. She’s on call for neurosurgical trauma emergencies at Renown Regional Medical Center.
Do I need to travel outside Nevada for brain or skull base surgery?
No. Dr. Rindler brings Mayo Clinic-trained skull base and brain tumor expertise directly to Northern Nevada, so patients can get world-class care close to home.
Dr. Rima Sestokas Rindler is a board-certified neurosurgeon at Sierra Neurosurgery Group, treating patients throughout Reno, Sparks, and Carson City, Nevada. Fellowship-trained at the Mayo Clinic and residency-trained at Emory University, she specializes in brain tumors, skull base surgery, cerebrovascular conditions, and complex spine care. She brings the caliber of training found at the nation’s top academic medical centers directly to Northern Nevada.
World-Class Neurosurgery, Close to Home
Dr. Rindler’s path to neurosurgery ran through some of the most respected medical institutions in the country:
- Bachelor’s degree — Duke University
- MD — Boston University School of Medicine
- Neurosurgical residency — Emory University
- Fellowship in Neurosurgical Skull Base Oncology — Mayo Clinic
- Board Certified — American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS), 2025
- Fellow — American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS)
That fellowship at Mayo Clinic is one of the most competitive, sought-after skull base training programs in the country. Patients in Northern Nevada now have direct access to that same level of expertise, without leaving the region.
Conditions & Procedures Dr. Rindler Treats
- Brain tumors, including complex skull base tumors
- Brain aneurysms and cerebrovascular conditions
- Degenerative and complex spine disease
- Spinal fractures and trauma
- Hydrocephalus
- Facial pain and facial spasms (including trigeminal neuralgia)
- Neck and back pain
- Minimally invasive spine surgery
Why Patients Across Reno, Sparks & Carson City Choose Dr. Rindler
- Thoroughness — reviews imaging, test results, and referring physician notes before an appointment
- Clear communication — explains complex diagnoses in language patients and families actually understand
- Collaborative decision-making — involves patients directly in treatment planning
- Responsive to urgency — recognized for moving quickly on time-sensitive cases
- Available when it matters most — on call for neurosurgical emergencies at Renown Regional Medical Center, Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, and Northern Nevada Medical Center
You Don’t Have to Leave Northern Nevada for Elite Neurosurgical Care
A brain tumor or complex spine diagnosis often comes with an assumption: that real expertise means traveling to San Francisco, Salt Lake City, or beyond. Dr. Rindler trained at the same institutions that produce those out-of-state specialists and chose to bring that training here. Patients throughout Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and the surrounding region can get fellowship-level, Mayo Clinic-trained neurosurgical care close to their support system, without the added stress, cost, and logistics of traveling out of state during an already difficult time.
Meet Dr. Rindler
Raised by a physician and a clinical neurophysiologist, Dr. Rindler grew up fascinated by the brain. In fact, she initially considered psychiatry before discovering her passion for surgery and neuroanatomy. As a woman in a historically male-dominated field, she brings both technical precision and genuine empathy to every patient relationship. Outside the clinic, she enjoys outdoor recreation, running, and time with her family.
Dr. Rindler Specialties
General neurosurgery including trauma, degenerative spine disease, spinal fractures, hydrocephalus, brain tumors, trigeminal neuralgia, brain aneurysms, and more.
- Brain & Skull Base Tumors – Expert care for benign and malignant tumors.
- Skull Base Surgery – Minimally invasive techniques for deep brain conditions.
- Targeted Radiosurgery – Non-surgical, pinpoint radiation therapy.
- Complete Cranial Care – Precision treatment for the brain, pituitary gland, nerves, and sinuses.
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Neck & Back Pain Comprehensive relief for spinal discomfort and injuries.
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Facial Pain & Spasms Targeted treatments for complex facial nerve conditions.
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Advanced Microsurgery Highly precise, minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Dr. Rindler Advanced Practice Providers Team
Dr. Rindler is available for appointments at these office Locations:
RENO, NV
Sierra Neurosurgery Group
5590 Kietzke Lane
Reno, NV 89511
SPARKS, NV
5070 Ion Drive Suite 200
Sparks, NV 89436
CARSON CITY, NV
1375 Vista Lane
Carson City, NV 89703
Dr. Rindler Curriculum
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Education
2021 – 2022
Neurosurgical Skull Base Oncology Fellowship, Mayo School of Graduate Medical
Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
2014 – 2021
Emory University – Residency
2009 – 2014
Boston University – MD
2005 – 2009
Duke University – BS
Additional Education
2019 – 2020
Attendee, Stryker Advance ENT and Neuro Resident Course, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendee, “A 360 Degree Perspective” Hand-On Workshop, Cranial Base Surgery Course, Atlanta, Georgia
Attendee, Pittsburgh Comprehensive Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery Course, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2020 – 2021
Attendee, “A 360 Degree Perspective” Hand-On Workshop, Cranial Base Surgery Course, Atlanta, Georgia
2021 – 2022
Course Co-Director, Upper Midwest Summer Skull Base Course, Rochester,Minnesota
Attendee, Mayo Clinic 8th Annual Endoscopic Skull Base Course with Cadaver Dissection for Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery Residents. Rochester, Minnesota
Certifications
2021
Mayo Clinic Quality Fellow: Bronze Level Certification
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
Basic Life Support
Board Certified
Board-eligible with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Awards
2008
Faculty Scholar Award Nominee, Dept. Psych. and Neuroscience – Duke University
2009
Graduation with Distinction, Dept. Psych. and Neuroscience – Duke University
Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society – Duke University
Psi Xi Psychology Honor Society – Duke University
2013
Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Medical Society – Boston University
Clinical Research Fellowship – Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
2014
Christopher G. Gaposchkin Prize Fund – Boston University
Edward L. Spatz, MD Award for Excellence in Neurosurgery – Boston University
2015
George T. Tindall, MD Resident Research Award – George T. Tindall
2016
House Staff Organization Professionalism Excellence (HOPE) Award – House Staff Organization Professionalism Excellence (HOPE) Award
Hospital Affiliations
Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center
Reno, Nevada
Renown Regional Medical Center
Reno, Nevada
Northern Nevada Medical Center
Sparks, Nevada
Medical Licensure
Nevada
Minnesota
Professional Memberships and Societies
2009 – 2014
American Medical Association – Member
Massachusetts Medical Society – Member
2012 – Present
American Association of Neurological Surgeons – Member
2014 – Present
AANS/CNS Section of Women in Neurosurgery – Member
Congress of Neurological Surgeons – Member
2019 – Present
North American Skull Base Society – Candidate Member
Research Experience
2021 – 2022
Course Co-Director, Upper Midwest Summer Skull Base Course, Rochester, Minnesota
Publications - Book Chapters
- Duhaime AC, Rindler RS. Special Considerations in Infants and Children. In: Handbook of Clinical Neurology. 2015;127:219-42. 2015.
- Mahmooth Z, Malcolm JM, Rindler RS, Ahmad FU. Cranioplasty: does timing have any effect on the degree of neurological recovery or the complication rate? Evidence for Neurosurgery: Effective Procedures and Treatment. In: Eds. Bartels RHMA, Rovers MM, Westert GP: Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2019, pp 19-40. 2019.
- Rindler RS, Vasudevan K, Erwood AM, Pradilla G. Ed. Agarwal V. Integrated Management of Complex Intracranial Lesions: Open, Endoscopic, and Keyhole Techniques. 2019. In press. In: Transcranial approach for tumor resection and anterior circulation. 2019.
- Rindler RS, Chern JC. Chapter 19 Newer Subsets: Chiari 1.5 and Chiari 0 Malformations. In: The Chiari Malformations, 2nd edition. Eds. Tubbs RS, Oskouian RJ, Turgut M and Oakes WJ. In print. 2021.
- Rindler R, Pradilla G. Subcortical surgery for open and parafascicular channel-based approaches. In: Eds. Pradilla G. Springer. In press. 2021.
- Bray D, Rindler R, Oyesiku NM. Orbitozygomatic Approaches (for Cranioorbital Tumors). In: Ed. Agarwal V. Surgery of the Orbit in Neuro-oncology. Cambridge University Press. In press. 2022.