The Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) awarded the title of “Doctor with the Fastest Medical PhD Graduation” to neurosurgeon Dr. dr. Mardjono Tjahjadi, Sp.BS (K), Subsp.N.Vas., PhD, FICS—commonly known as Dr. Joy—who practices at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri.
At the MURI award ceremony held at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri on Wednesday (April 16), several professors and senior academics congratulated Dr. Joy. 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. Dr. Satyanegara, Sp.BS (K), a renowned neurosurgery professor in Indonesia.
Dr. Joy completed his PhD in medicine at the University of Helsinki, Finland, in just 18 months and 12 days. This achievement broke the previous MURI record held by Dr. Yanuar Ardani, who graduated in 21 months and 19 days.
The University of Helsinki is currently ranked number one in Finland and 117th in the world.
During his PhD studies in Finland, Dr. Joy specialized in cerebral vascular disorders, specifically brain aneurysms, which can lead to strokes or even death. Statistically, Finland has one of the highest rates of brain aneurysms in the world, which was one of the factors that motivated Dr. Joy to pursue his studies there.
At the same university, he also undertook clinical fellowships in microsurgery and brain vascular surgery.
Dr. Joy gained invaluable experience during his PhD, learning directly from world-renowned neurosurgeons and participating in cutting-edge research on aneurysms and brain tumors.
In addition to his education in Finland, Dr. Joy also pursued neurointerventional clinical and research training in cerebral catheterization (also known as brain DSA procedures) for vascular brain diseases at Seoul University Hospital in South Korea.
Thanks to his extensive knowledge, skills, and experience, Dr. Joy is known as one of the leading neurosurgeons, having treated over 1,000 patients with brain tumors, performed DSA procedures, and managed brain aneurysms.
His contributions to the field of brain aneurysms in Indonesia are substantial. He authored two editions of the book “Understanding Brain Aneurysms”, which has helped many patients, medical students, and healthcare professionals better understand the condition. He also serves as a full-time lecturer teaching physiology and neurosurgery.
As one of Indonesia’s foremost brain and tumor surgeons, Dr. Joy is a pioneer and promoter of Awake Brain Surgery, a procedure where brain surgery is performed while the patient is conscious. This method helps preserve motor, cognitive, and language functions. Remarkably, patients undergoing Awake Brain Surgery do not require ICU care after the operation.
See also: Awake Brain Surgery Experience with Dr. Joy
He is also actively performing DSA procedures to address brain blood blockages, as well as Microsurgical Clipping & Coiling techniques to treat brain aneurysms—bulging blood vessels in the brain that can cause strokes or death.
Dr. Joy can also perform Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Surgery (EETS), a minimally invasive procedure to remove brain tumors through the nose, avoiding the need to open the skull.
Some of the brain conditions Dr. Joy treats include brain aneurysms, brain tumors/cancer, ruptured brain vessels, brain hemorrhages, meningiomas, schwannomas, and adenomas.
Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri’s Comprehensive Neurology Center
Mandaya Puri Hospital houses a comprehensive neurology center capable of treating rare neurological disorders.
Within this center is a dedicated brain and aneurysm unit led by Dr. Joy and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including Digital PET CT Scans, LINAC ELEKTA VERSA HD Radiotherapy, intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), brain robotic neuronavigation surgery, IQon Spectral CT Scans, and the MR Ingenia Ambition 10—tools that greatly improve brain surgery success rates.
Beyond advanced technology, the neurology center at Mandaya has a team of 13 specialist and sub-specialist doctors who handle a wide range of neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, pinched nerves, myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and spinal muscular atrophy.
The center has also partnered with several global laboratories to conduct Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) for mapping human DNA.
Furthermore, Mandaya Puri offers blood-modifying therapy using an apheresis machine to treat autoimmune neurological disorders like myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
During the MURI award event, Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri also introduced a brain check-up package for MRI and MRA scans priced at IDR 3.8 million, which includes a consultation with Dr. Joy.
Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri hopes that Dr. Joy’s achievements as a distinguished Indonesian professional will boost public confidence in seeking medical treatment domestically, highlighting that Indonesia’s healthcare standards, technologies, and medical expertise are already world-class and globally competitive.
