Regan M. Shanahan, MD

Regan M. Shanahan, MD, joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery residency program in July 2026. Dr. Shanahan earned her medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and was awarded the Theodore Kurze, MD Senior Prize for Excellence in Neurological Surgery and Clinical Neurosciences in her final year. Prior to medical school, she graduated summa cum laude and with the College Prize for Excellence in Biology from Boston University with a BA in Neurobiology and secondary studies in Public Health and Political Science.

During medical school, Dr. Shanahan became heavily involved in the Department of Neurosurgery and published broadly across neurosurgical subspecialties. Dr. Shanahan pursued a focused academic and clinical interest in neurotrauma, neurocritical care, and complex spine research. She conducted research with the Neurotrauma Clinical Trials Center under the mentorship of Dr. David O. Okonkwo and Dr. Ava Puccio, contributing to work on traumatic brain injury biomarkers, neuro-ICU management strategies, and clinical outcomes. In parallel, she served as a clinical fellow in the Surreality Lab under the direction of Dr. Ted Andrews and Dr. Jake Biehl, where she worked on integrating mixed reality technologies into neurosurgical operative planning and procedures.

Notably, Dr. Shanahan founded the Longitudinal Attending-Resident-Student Mentorship Initiative (LAMI) to enhance mentorship for PittMed students interested in neurosurgery. She was a member of the national Women in Neurosurgery Medical Student Committee and served on the research subcommittee.

Dr. Shanahan’s publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine’s publication database.

Dr. Shanahan was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. Outside of neurosurgery, she enjoys cooking/baking, watching the Buffalo Bills, and exploring the local Pittsburgh food scene.