Dr. dr. Mardjono Tjahjadi, Sp.BS (K), Subsp.N.Vas., PhD, FICS—affectionately known as Dr. Joy—achieved the MURI record for being the “Fastest Graduate in a Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences” (University of Helsinki, Finland, 18 months and 12 days). The previous record was held by Dr. Yanuar Ardani, who completed his PhD in medicine in 21 months and 19 days.
The MURI award ceremony took place at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri on Wednesday (April 16), attended by prominent figures in Indonesian neurosurgery. Among them were Prof. Dr. Ahmad Faried, PhD, Sp.BS (K), FICS, Head of the Neurosurgery Study Program at the Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University (Unpad), and Prof. Dr. Satyanegara, Sp.BS, a senior professor in the field.
In Finland, Dr. Joy pursued his PhD specializing in brain aneurysms, and also completed clinical fellowships in microsurgery and cerebrovascular surgery. Finland is among the countries with the highest number of brain aneurysm cases—one of the main reasons Dr. Joy chose to study there.
The University of Helsinki, the oldest university in Finland, currently ranks #1 in Finland and #117 globally.
During his doctoral studies, Dr. Joy had the privilege of learning directly from world-renowned neurosurgeons. He also actively participated in cutting-edge research on aneurysms and brain tumors.
Dr. Joy practices at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri as a Neurosurgeon Subspecializing in Brain Blood Vessels. He has also built a patient community of hundreds of brain tumor, stroke, and aneurysm survivors, providing them with a space to share experiences and access accurate medical information.
He is the author of two editions of the book “Understanding Brain Aneurysms”, which has been widely used by patients, medical students, and healthcare professionals. In addition, Dr. Joy is a full-time lecturer in physiology and neurosurgery.
Beyond Finland, Dr. Joy also pursued education in neurointerventional clinical and research in brain catheterization for cerebrovascular diseases at Seoul University Hospital, South Korea.
Dr. Joy is skilled in treating various brain conditions. In addition to his microsurgical expertise in removing brain tumors, he performs:
- Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) for treating brain blood blockages,
- Microsurgical Clipping & Coiling for brain aneurysms,
- Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Surgery (EETS) to remove brain tumors through the nose—without opening the skull.
One of the few PhD graduates in medicine from Finland, Dr. Joy is also a pioneer and promoter of Awake Brain Surgery—a procedure performed while the patient is conscious, helping preserve motor, cognitive, and language functions. Post-surgery, patients often don’t need to be admitted to the ICU.
See also: Awake Brain Surgery Method Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri | Dr. Joy
Dr. Joy is capable of handling a wide range of brain conditions, including:
- Brain aneurysms
- Brain tumors/cancer
- Ruptured brain vessels
- Brain hemorrhages
- Meningioma
- Schwannoma
- Adenoma
His expertise, especially in brain neurosurgery, is a major asset for Indonesians suffering from brain aneurysms or tumors.
Mandaya Hospital’s Comprehensive Nerve Center
Beyond experienced neurologists, Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri also features a comprehensive neuroscience center capable of treating rare disorders.
The center, led by Dr. Joy, includes a Brain & Aneurysm Center equipped with cutting-edge technology such as:
- Digital PET CT Scan
- LINAC ELEKTA VERSA HD Radiotherapy
- Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM)
- Neuronavigation Robotic Brain Surgery
- IQon Spectral CT Scan
- MR Ingenia Ambition 10—enhancing surgical success rates.
Mandaya’s Neuroscience Center includes 13 specialists and subspecialists, covering disorders like:
- Alzheimer’s
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s
- Pinched nerves
- Myasthenia gravis
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- ALS
- Spinal muscular atrophy
Additionally, the center collaborates with global labs for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) to analyze human DNA.
To treat autoimmune neurological disorders like myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barré, Mandaya provides apheresis therapy—a treatment that modifies blood components.
During the MURI award event, Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri also launched a special brain screening package (MRI and consultation with Dr. Joy) for IDR 3.8 million.
Dr. Joy’s remarkable achievement is expected to boost public trust in Indonesia’s healthcare system, proving that medical education, service, and technology in the country are world-class and globally competitive.
