Dr. Jackson, a partner in Orange County Neurosurgical Associates, cofounded the practice in 2007 which has locations in Laguna Hills and Mission Viejo.

Dr. Robert Jackson was born and raised in Southern California. He attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, and subsequently the University of San Diego, where he graduated magna cum laude from the honors program with a B.A. degree in chemistry and biology. While in San Diego, Dr. Jackson competitively raced bicycles at the collegiate level. He earned a medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine with honors, graduated in the top 10% of his class, and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. In 1994 he received the Baylor College of Medicine Award of Excellence in Neurosurgery, and the Award of Excellence in Surgery.

After training a decade in Houston, Texas at Baylor College of Medicine and The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Jackson returned home to Orange County, California to practice neurosurgery. Dr. Jackson is a board certified neurosurgeon, who specializes in minimally invasive surgery of the brain and spine, complex spine surgery including spinal tumor resection, spinal stabilization procedures, disc replacement of the cervical and lumbar spine and stereotactic radiosurgery for brain and spine tumors. From 2003-2013, he was honored to accept the appointment of Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of California Irvine. From 2006-2019, Dr. Jackson has served as Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center and level two trauma center, in Mission Viejo, California. Since 2019 Dr. Jackson has served as Mission Neuroscience Institute Neurosurgical Director.

Dr. Robert Jackson has also served as clinical faculty and course director for numerous spinal surgery teaching conferences and labs including courses on vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, lumbar spinal stenosis, cervical spine reconstruction, cervical fusion, anterior lumbar fusion, and cervical disc replacement. In addition to teaching techniques of spine surgery to neurological and orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Jackson is currently involved in clinical research. He has authored several peer-reviewed papers in the journals including Neurosurgery, Journal of Neurosurgery Spine, and Neuro-Oncology, and has presented at local and national neurosurgical and orthopedic meetings including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), and the North American Spine Society (NASS). Away from work he enjoys trail running, mountain biking, surfing, paddleboarding, and spending time with his wife and children.

Procedures →

Profile Details

  • Robert J. Jackson, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.N.S.
    Diplomat American Board of Neurological Surgery

  • Education

    – B.A., magna cum laude, Chemistry and Biology, University of San Diego 1986-1990
    – M.D., with Honors, Baylor College of Medicine, 1990-1994

  • Internship/Residency

    – General Surgery Internship, Baylor College of Medicine, June 1994-1995
    – Neurosurgery Residency, Baylor College of Medicine, July 1995–2000

  • Faculty Appointments

    – 2003 May -2013 June – Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery, University of California Irvine
    – 2006 – Present – Chairman, Division of Neurosurgery, Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center
    – June 2019 – current – Co-Director Mission Neuroscience Institute

  • Specialties

    Sub-Specialty
    – Minimally Invasive Surgery of the Brain and Spine
    – Complex Spine Surgery
    Additional Focuses
    – Spinal Tumor Resection
    – Spinal Stabilization Procedures
    – Disc Replacement of the Cervical and Lumbar Spine
    – Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain and Spine Tumors

  • Honors

    Orange County Neurosurgical Associates

    – Orange County Medical Association Physician of Excellence Award 2020

    – Mater Dei High School Ring of Honor Recipient 2018

    – Orange County Medical Association Physician of Excellence Award 2015

    – Orange County Medical Association Physician of Excellence Award 2014

    – Vitals Top 10 Doctor State of California 2014

    – Orange County Medical Association Physician of Excellence Award 2013

    – Orange County Medical Association Physician of Excellence Award 2012

    – Patients’ Choice Award 2008-2010, 2012-2015

    – Vitals Compassionate Doctor Recognition 2012-2014

    – Orange County Medical Association Physician of Excellence Award 2008

    – Orange County Medical Association Physician of Excellence Award 2007

    Baylor College of Medicine

    – Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

    – Award for Excellence in Neurosurgery 1994

    – Award for Excellence in Surgery 1994

    – Albert and Elizabeth Butler Scholarship 1994

    – Baylor College of Medicine Clinical Neurology Achievement Award 1993

    – Killson Educational Foundation scholarship 1992-93

    – Graduated from Basic Sciences with Honors 1992

    University of San Diego

    – American Institute of Chemist’s Award 1990

    – Silver medal and several top ten finishes in West Coast Collegiate

    – Cycling Conference races 1988-90

    – Kappa Gamma Pi National Catholic Honor Society for College Graduates 1990

    – USD Volunteer Service Award 1989

    – Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities 1989

    – Received research grant (1989) for “The Isolation, Characterization and Sequencing of the L-asparaginase Genes in Aspergillus nidulans”

    – Nominated for USA Today’s Academic All-American Team 1989

    – CRC Press Outstanding Chemistry Student Award 1987

  • Curriculum Vitae

Meet Our Staff

  • Darin Johnson, PA-C

    Darin Johnson, PA-C

  • Bio

    Medical School : Loma Linda University

    Darin Johnson grew up in California and attended Westmont College, in Santa Barbara where he graduated magna cum laude in 2001. While at Westmont he played rugby and worked as team trainer. He then attended Loma Linda University where he received his Masters degree as a Physician Assistant. He received the Faculty Award for outstanding academic and professional achievement (2004). He began working as a surgical PA in Loma Linda for three years until he moved to Orange County and has been working with the practice since 2007. Darin now functions as PA for Dr. Jackson as well as research coordinator managing multiple ongoing research trials. He enjoys playing golf, biking and spending time with his wife and two kids, Eli and Faith.

  • Lindsey Watkins, FNP-BC

    Lindsey Watkins, FNP-BC

  • Bio

    University: California State University, Long Beach

    Lindsey Watkins was born and raised in Bakersfield, California.  She graduated from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelors in Biology and a minor in chemistry.  She subsequently completed her Masters in Public Health, Masters in Nursing and a culinary degree.  During this time she was the lead research coordinator for HIV and oncology clinical trials. She also began a career in aerial acrobatics, which she continues to do today.  After a few years working as a nurse, she decided to obtain her Nurse Practitioner license and completed the program at the University of Massachusetts Boston.  Lindsey now works as an NP with Dr. Liauw and Dr. Jackson.  Outside of work she enjoys cooking, performing aerial acrobatics, and spending time with her family and two dogs.