Our Team

Said Elshihabi MD, FAANS, neurosurgeon and founder of Legacy Brain & Spine, is a board-certified neurosurgeon with an emphasis in the management of surgical and non-surgical spinal disorders, as well as brain trauma and tumors. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center and pursued a neurosurgery residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He has been practicing in Georgia since 2007, and is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, as well as the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners. Dr. Elshihabi has a passion for guiding patients on their brain and spine journey, priding himself on informing his patients about their conditions, and utilizing ALL educational tools at his disposal to ease the anxiety associated with their disease. He firmly believes in being an advocate for his patients and their families, and utilizing a comprehensive team approach in disease management.

Dr. Jerry L Walters, II – currently board eligible – is a native of Jackson, Mississippi and a graduate of Tougaloo College and Brown University Medical School. While attending Brown University Medical School and under the mentorship of Dr. Rees Cosgrove, he decided to pursue a career in Neurosurgery. He went on to complete his residency training at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where he received extensive training in both open and minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Walters has authored several publications in peer-reviewed journals on topics ranging from spinal tumors, various techniques in spinal surgery, and developed a novel technique for improving the biocompatibility and bio-integration of metal implants. Dr. Walters is actively treating Legacy Brain & Spine patients at our Tucker and Riverdale locations. He is a promoter of conservative therapy when appropriate and seeks to exhaust non-invasive treatment options until surgical intervention is warranted. He believes restoration of function and elimination of pain are the primary surgical objectives. He treats various ailments of the brain including traumatic brain injury, infection, and brain tumors. He is a strong advocate for a customized, personalized medical treatment plan, and seeks to partner with each patient to develop the best treatment approach for their specific condition. Outside of his career as a neurosurgeon, he enjoys hiking, giving back to the community and learning new things. He is a big fan of sports and a lover of History. Dr. Walters is a member of several professional organizations including the American Association of Neurological Surgery and the Congress of Neurological Surgery.

Dr. Marcus L Stephens II, an Albany, Georgia native, is a graduate of Hampton University and Meharry Medical College.  He completed his residency training in neurosurgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas.  He studied heavily under globally recognized skull base neurosurgeon and chairman of the department, JD Day and spent hundreds of hours developing his surgical technique in the Yasargil Microneurosurgery Laboratory.  After completing his chief resident year at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, he completed a fellowship in open cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgery under former Congress of Neurological Surgeons President and Chairman of Neurosurgery at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio, Nicholas Bambakidis. Dr. Stephens has authored several manuscripts in peer reviewed journals and takes a particular interest in tumors of the cranial base including meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, and vestibular schwannomas.  He treats a wide range of complex brain disorders including trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistulas, gliomas, brain metastases, and traumatic brain injuries.  He also treats traumatic and degenerative disorders of the spine with modern, minimally-invasive, techniques.  Dr. Stephens believes in ensuring that patients and their families are fully educated on their neurosurgical care and providing the best possible, personalized, treatment plan for each individual patient. “I believe in treating people, not images. Although developing neurosurgical treatment plans can often be challenging, my guiding principle is always treating my patients like my own family.”

Dr. Arsalaan Salehani – currently board eligible – moved to the United States at a young age eventually settling in South Carolina long term with his parents and younger sister. He attended Wofford College where he was an Honors Graduate, received the Biology Department Award, and the Outstanding Citizen Award along with being inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society. He then moved to Atlanta, GA to complete medical school at Emory University. While at Emory, he served on various curriculum and advisory committees and was selected to be one of two Emory medical students selected to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Organization of Student Representatives. He then moved to Birmingham, AL for neurosurgery residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). While there, he was elected as a resident representative to the Faculty-Resident Liaison Committee and was awarded the Outstanding Consultant of the Year Award. Under the mentorship of UAB Neurosurgery faculty, Dr. Salehani developed a keen interest in both brain and spine disease as well as clinical research. He currently has close to 40 peer-reviewed publications on a wide range of neurosurgical pathologies. During residency, he received extensive training in both traditional open spine techniques as well as newer minimally invasive techniques incorporating spinal navigation. He is looking forward to personalizing his approach for each patient, with the goal of improving their quality of life to the best of his ability. He believes in open and honest communication with his patients, taking the time to listen to their concerns and thoroughly explaining their diagnoses and treatment options. Outside of neurosurgery, Dr. Salehani enjoys exercising, playing basketball, watching sports, and exploring Atlanta with his wife and family.

Richard Gullick, MD, was born in Memphis, TN. He grew up in a military family at military bases around the US and Germany. He attended medical school at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine in Bethesda, MD followed by residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. After residency he was stationed in Hawaii, Texas, and Iraq. He and his family moved to Atlanta in 2008. Dr. Gullick has particular interest in minimally invasive cranial and spinal surgery. Patient education is a critical component of his approach to medicine. He feels strongly that greater patient understanding of the relevant medical issues and treatment options can greatly ease fear, anxiety and make for a smoother recovery. Outside of his clinical practice he enjoys reading, hiking, cooking and generally tinkering around his “farm” ala Jeremy Clarkson. He rarely has a dull moment with friends, family, farm and one supremely indifferent Akita.