Osama Ahmed, MD, FAANS - Neurosurgeon

Dr. Ahmed is a board-certified neurosurgeon that founded the Brain and Spine Institute of San Antonio in 2018. The mission of the practice is to provide prompt, personalized, neurosurgical care with the most up-to-date treatment options.

He is the former medical Director of Neurosurgery at Methodist Hospital Northeast and Methodist Hospital Metropolitan. Dr. Ahmed started the neurosurgery program at Methodist Hospital Northeast, where there was no program prior to his arrival. With Dr. Ahmed’s vision and initiative, he was able to provide neurosurgical care to a community that did not have those services previously available. Dr. Ahmed’s practice focuses on treating brain and spine disorders and prides himself on achieving the best possible outcomes. Dr. Ahmed is board certified with the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. He is also an active member with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Throughout his career, Dr. Ahmed has performed over 5,000 surgeries, published over 30 articles, and presented several papers at national conferences. Dr. Ahmed’s passion of providing the best care has allowed him to bring several new treatments to San Antonio. Dr. Ahmed was the first spine surgeon in San Antonio to perform a robotic OLIF, the first to use Spine Jack for compression fractures, and the first spine surgeon to perform an OptiLIF, a minimally invasive spinal fusion technique.

Dr. Ahmed is originally from Wharton, Texas, grew up in Houston, and graduated high school from Katy, Tx. He attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied biochemistry. Dr. Ahmed went to medical school at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Tx. He did one year of neurotrauma research at Ben Taub Hospital with Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Dr. Ahmed then did his neurosurgical residency training at LSU Shreveport, where he had extensive training in both cranial and spinal surgery.

Osama Ahmed, MD, FAANS, Neurologist doctors
Toinette Garza
Toinette Garza, MSN, APRN, FNP-C - Neurosurgical Nurse Practitioner

Ms. Garza brings over 20 years of medical experience into BSISA, with the last several years in the field of neurosurgery.

Toinette Garza, MSN, APRN, FNP-C was born in Montclair, CA and moved to San Antonio at the age of nine and has lived here ever since. After graduating from high school, she always knew she wanted to play an important role in hands-on patient care and went to school to become a medical assistant. She worked as a medical assistant for 11 years before returning to school.

She graduated in 2010 from Baptist School of Health Professions with an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. She then worked as a Registered Nurse in several fields when she found her love for Neurosurgery and at the same time was introduced to her mentor, Dr. Ahmed.

She completed her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from University of Texas at Arlington in 2016. Immediately after completion of her BSN, she felt the desire to become a bigger part of her patients’ lives to be able to provide them with the best medical care possible. She completed her Masters of Science in Nursing from University of Texas at Arlington in 2018.

She has proudly been a member of BSI since its inception and continues to build upon her education. She also has obtained her Advanced Practice Nurse First Assist certification.

Ms. Garza is a proud member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners since 2018.

Kimberly Ramos, MSN, APRN, FNP-C- Neurosurgical Nurse Practitioner

Mrs. Ramos joins BSISA with over 10 years of hospital neurosurgery experience. She recently graduated from The University of Texas Health Sciences Center with her MSN in 2019. Mrs. Ramos recently became certified as a First Assist for the operating room. Mrs. Ramos is involved in all levels of patient care, office, surgery and hospital.

Kimberly Ramos, MSN, APRN, FNP-C was born and raised in San Antonio. At a young age she realized her purpose in life was to serve others through caregiving. She always knew she wanted to do something in the field of medicine and wanted to serve her community along the way. She attended a health profession magnet high school which exposed her to the medical field.

She received her Bachelor of Nursing from University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She began her nursing career as a bedside Registered Nurse on a neurosurgical unit where she found her love for neurosurgery. She advanced into the role as a Charge Nurse where she continued working for 7 years.

Mrs. Ramos knew she wanted more autonomy within her nursing career. She returned to University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where she received her Master of Science in Nursing in the Family Nurse Practitioner track. She joined Brain and Spine Institute of San Antonio in June 2020 where she is now practicing as a Neurosurgery Nurse Practitioner. She recently received her certification as a Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA), which allows her to assist in the operating room and create a full circle of neurosurgical patient care.

Ms. Ramos is a proud member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners since 2019.

Kimberly Ramos
Ryan Ahr, PA-C

Ryan Ahr, PA-C, brings more than 20 years of experience as a Physician Assistant with an extensive background in neurosurgery. A San Antonio native, Ryan has returned to his hometown to continue delivering compassionate, evidence-based, and up-to-date neurosurgical care to the community he proudly calls home.

Prior to his medical career, Ryan served in the United States Army as a combat medic, with deployments supporting missions in Somalia and Haiti. His military service helped shape the discipline, resilience, and patient-first mindset that continue to guide his practice today.

Ryan received his Physician Assistant education and training from the University of Washington. He has dedicated his career to helping patients navigate complex spinal and neurological conditions, with a strong focus on patient education, trust, and individualized treatment plans designed to improve quality of life.

Known for his approachable style and commitment to excellence, Ryan works closely with patients and families from consultation through recovery, striving to provide outstanding care at every step of the journey.

PA Layan Jaber

Layan was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, where she developed a strong connection to her community and a love for learning. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio, then moved to Dallas to pursue her Physician Assistant education at West Coast University. After graduating, she came back to San Antonio to begin her career and give back to the place that shaped her. Outside of work, she enjoys being adventurous outdoors and traveling or spending time with her cat, Obi.

Layan Jaber
Sonrie Pickens - Electromyographer

Sonrie Pickens earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the Army-Baylor Physical Therapy Program in 2009 and is a board-certified Clinical Electrophysiologic Specialist.  With over 16 years of experience in outpatient orthopedics, she expanded her expertise to include Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies in 2017.  She is dedicated to providing each patient with a comprehensive and positive experience.  Outside the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, baking and staying active.

Erica Kearbey, AGACNP-BC

Erica Faye Kearbey is a Texas native originally from El Paso with a background that blends social insight and clinical expertise. She earned her first degree in Sociology from Baylor University in 2017 before pursuing nursing at Marian University in Nashville, Tennessee. Erica spent five years working as an ICU nurse in San Antonio and El Paso, building a strong foundation in critical care and a passion for patient-centered medicine. In 2024, she completed her master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner at UTEP so that she could continue her commitment to serving her home community. She then returned to San Antonio to begin her next chapter in practice. Outside of work, Erica enjoys getting lost in a good book, watching great cinema, and spending time with her 12-year-old pug, Bella.

Dr. Jude - Neurosurgeon

Dr. Jude has numerous years of experience within the medical field. He has been board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery since 2014 and has maintained active licensure with the Indiana and Texas Medical Boards. Dr. Jude commenced his career in private practice at the Indianapolis Neurosurgery Group in 2007 before joining Neurosurgical Associates of San Antonio, where he  contributed significantly from 2008 to 2024. Then from 2024 to present he has been with the Legent Physicians Group.

Dr. Jude’s influence extends beyond clinical practice into medical administration and research. He served as the Medical Director of the Gamma Knife Department at the Methodist Hospital System in San Antonio from 2012 to 2023, and since 2013 has assisted with outpatient stereotactic radiosurgery treatments at the START Center using the Varian Edge, demonstrating his commitment to advancing neurosurgical treatments. Additionally, he held the position of Medical Director in the Neurosurgery Department at HealthSouth RIOSA, focusing on acute rehabilitation. He has also been the Clinical Service Chief of Neurosurgery Methodist Hospital 2017 to 2023. Furthermore, Dr. Jude is affiliated with various leading hospitals including, both the Methodist Hospital System and the Baptist Health System as well as the Legent Hospital System.

He embarked on his academic journey with a Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona State University, followed by further undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School. He began his postgraduate training with a preliminary surgery internship at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio followed by a specialization in neurosurgery during residencies at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Indiana University School of Medicine.

Dr. Jude’s contributions to neurosurgery are complemented by his commitment to academic and professional societies. He is an active member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Texas Medical Association, and Bexar County Medical Society. Throughout his career, Dr. Jude has engaged in impactful research, notably in CNS regeneration and neurosurgical techniques, presenting his findings at national conferences. 

Recognized for his academic achievements, Dr. Jude has been honored with multiple awards, including the Mark Gichert Memorial Award for outstanding medical students and the Jose Biller Teaching Award for his dedication to neurosurgical education.  

We are thrilled to have Dr. Jude as one of our surgeons ready to care for you.

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(210) 625-4733