About

Tom Yao, M.D., has advanced clinical training in neurosurgery, having completed an endovascular neurosurgery fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., before joining Norton Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Yao earned his medical degree as well as completed an internship in general surgery and a residency in neurological surgery at Vanderbilt. Dr. Yao has been voted by his peers as one of Louisville Magazine's Top Docs for 2019.

Locations



Expertise

Education

  • Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

    Medical Education, Doctor of Medicine, 2002

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Internship, General Surgery, 2003

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Residency, Neurological Surgery, 2009


Age Groups Seen

Age Groups Seen
Pediatrics, Teenagers, Adults
Languages
English
Gender
Male

Reviews

5.00 out of 5 5.0 of 5 stars — 93 Ratings, 39 Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

provider listened carefully 5.00 out of 5 (5.0)
provider gave easy to understand instruction 5.00 out of 5 (5.0)
provider knew important medical history 5.00 out of 5 (5.0)
provider showed concern 4.90 out of 5 (4.9)
provider spent enough time with you 5.00 out of 5 (5.0)
provider rating 5.00 out of 5 (5.0)
provider explained things clearly 5.00 out of 5 (5.0)
likelihood of recommending this provider 4.90 out of 5 (4.9)
provider included you in decisions 4.90 out of 5 (4.9)
provider showed respect for what you said 5.00 out of 5 (5.0)
provider discussed treatment options 4.80 out of 5 (4.8)

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 06/18/2026

Dr Yao always discusses options and gives me his opinion but takes my preference into consideration

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 06/13/2026

Dr. Tom Yao is the absolute BEST!

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 05/23/2026

Excellent

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 05/02/2026

My wife and I think so much of Dr. Yao. He took time to answer all of our questions. He explained everything in a way that we could easily understand. He explained my procedure, what was going on with my carotid artery and my brain, and how my medicines worked and why they were necessary. I left my appointment feeling educated about what had happened during my stroke my surgery and what I can expect in my future. Also, Dr. Yao is a kind person.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 04/25/2026

Nothing but golden words for Tom Yao. Top tier in every category.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 04/06/2026

Dr. Yao did an amazing job. He made me feel at ease and even drew a diagram on a sheet of paper to explain to me a dissection of an artery to explain why a stroke occurs.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 03/12/2026

Dr Yao is the most compassionate and intelligent physician I have ever encountered!

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 02/21/2026

I highly recommend this office!

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 01/24/2026

Very concerned about my health and is being pro-active in my treatment.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 12/18/2025

Very impressed, was there 20mins before appt, took me in right away, only waited mins for doctor. Dr knew my case, explained well.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 12/11/2025

Dr. Yao is excellent!

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 12/06/2025

Great doctor

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 11/20/2025

Very helpful

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 11/20/2025

He is an excellent Dr.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 11/16/2025

I'm feel very blessed to have Dr. Yao overseeing my care.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 11/10/2025

I was actually seen before the actual time of my scheduled appointment.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 10/25/2025

He is excellent, professional, and explains medical terms I can easily understand

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 10/20/2025

Dr. Yao is the most amazing doctor. He always makes me very comfortable and he always knows about my health...

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 10/18/2025

Dr. Yoa is a very impressive doctor. He was extremely informative and friendly. A patient feels like they're in excellent hands when they leave their appointment.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 10/14/2025

Dr Yao is a very good neurologist. I trust him completely with my care of my aneurism

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 10/04/2025

Dr Yao is an excellent communicator. I have every confidence he is providing the best care for me

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 10/02/2025

He is cery kind and explains everything in a manner that I can understand.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 09/28/2025

He is so very open to listening to our questions regarding [...] healthcare & one of the finest Doctors we have ever known!!!

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 09/25/2025

Excellent job of explaining health issues. Apologized for the delay.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 09/22/2025

Dr. Yao is the best possible neurosurgeon. We value his opinion. He is straightforward, concise and clear with all the information re the issue(s).

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 09/07/2025

Explained all my test in detail. Listened to my concerns. Made me feel comfortable.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 09/07/2025

Love dr Yao

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 09/06/2025

I was very pleased with Dr Yao. I was referred to him after having a TIA, by my vascular doctor. I had been told many positive things about him and read reviews, all of which matched my impressions on that first visit. He's very knowledgeable and able to explain things in terms a non-medical person can understand.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 08/23/2025

Dr.Yao and staff always pleasant and ready to help.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 08/22/2025

The staff was excellent.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 08/21/2025

He is Awesome

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 08/21/2025

Dr. Yao is one of the best doctors I ever had: calm, sensitive, unrushed, and thorough

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 08/18/2025

Everything was great. Great doctor great staff

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 08/16/2025

Dr Yao is a very kind, knowledgeable, and thorough physician. I'm grateful for his excellent care

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 08/14/2025

Great doctor answered all questions

4.00 out of 5 4.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 08/14/2025

I had just been released from the hospital the day before and I really wasn't sure why I was there. But the staff was great. They provided a wheelchair to help me get and back to the car.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 08/10/2025

He is an asset to your group.

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 08/08/2025

Dr Yao and his staff are amazing!!!!!

5.00 out of 5 5.0 out of 5

Reviewed on 08/03/2025

Dr. Yao, is amazing.


Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Aetna Better Health
  • Aetna Medicare Advantage
  • Ambetter from MHS
  • Ambetter from WellCare of Kentucky
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Kentucky Medicaid
  • Anthem MediBlue HMO/PPO
  • Anthem Pathway
  • Anthem Pathway Transition
  • CareSource Indiana Medicaid
  • CareSource Marketplace Kentucky and Indiana
  • Cigna
  • CorVel
  • Coventry
  • Encore
  • Essence
  • First Health Group Corp. (First Health)
  • UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Institute
  • HealthSmart
  • Hosparus
  • Humana Medicare
  • Humana Medicaid
  • Indiana Medicaid
  • Indiana Medicare
  • Indiana Health Network
  • Kentucky Medicaid
  • Kentucky Medicare
  • MDwise
  • MHS
  • Molina Healthcare
  • MultiPlan
  • Passport Health Plan Kentucky MCO
  • Passport Marketplace
  • Provider Net/OMCA
  • Sagamore
  • Signature Advantage
  • SIHO
  • TRICARE Humana Military
  • United Healthcare
  • United Healthcare Community Plan Indiana and Kentucky
  • United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
  • Veterans Affairs (VA)
  • WellCare
  • WellCare of Kentucky Medicaid (Kentucky MCO)
  • WellCare Medicare
  • Wellpath
  • Workers’ Compensation
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