A truly remarkable Monmouth County mom, Dr. Maureen Darwal lives in Rumson, NJ with her husband and daughter. Maureen is a neurosurgeon with Altair Health in Eatontown, NJ. Maureen subspecializes in endovascular neurosurgery and treats patients with aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, moyamoya disease, carotid stenosis and strokes. When she’s not busy operating or seeing her patients, Maureen loves spending time with her daughter at the park or dancing with her in the kitchen while listening to the Trolls soundtrack. Learn more below about this extremely accomplished mom’s life here in Monmouth County, including how she started her fellowship and had an 8-week-old infant at the same time!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I am originally from Ohio and my husband, Sudip Kundu, is originally from Maryland. After being set up on a blind date, we were inseparable, and he moved his law practice from Washington DC to New York while I finished residency in northern New Jersey. After finishing fellowship in Philadelphia in late June, we moved to Rumson.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
We have one daughter, Rosalind, who is a year and a half old.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I believe another calling in my life will be to provide a platform for woman to come together especially in medicine. We are stronger together and I want to build a supportive community. We should always be women for other women. How I implement these ideals is still in the works and I’m always open to suggestions… stay tuned!
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My husband is a great father and has been a tremendous help this past year and a half. He loves to read to Rosalind and completes puzzles with her. He will take her hiking if I am called into the hospital over the weekend. He loves to encourage her curiosity! He commuted from Philadelphia to New York daily for a year so he could be there for his family when I started my endovascular fellowship and Rosalind was 8 weeks old. I also can’t forget to thank my group of best friends from high school who are just a group text away with any of my first-time mom questions.
Favorite things to do with your kids?
We really enjoyed the beach this summer! We also love to walk to victory park and then go to Crazees for some ice cream. On the weekends we go for walks at Hartshorne Park and Huber Woods or take a stroll around The Grove. We sometimes head to Sickles for a ride down the tall slides followed by a warm donut, and for the colder days we enjoy a long morning of reading books in bed and watching Moana.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I am a neurosurgeon with Altair Health in Eatontown, NJ. I am fellowship trained in endovascular neurosurgery and treat patients with aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, moyamoya disease, carotid stenosis and strokes. I also take care of patients with spinal stenosis, benign and malignant brain tumors, spine trauma and hydrocephalus. My goal is to provide excellent neurosurgical care to my community, Monmouth county.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
We were truly welcomed with open arms, from our neighbors, to fellow female surgeons, Alexis Parcells, MD and Nina Jacobson, MD, as well as my Altair Health family! We feel incredibly lucky to have met such kind and helpful people so quickly. Altair Health sincerely puts their patients first and I am grateful to be part of such a dynamic and talented group of neurosurgeons.
What is your favorite restaurant in Monmouth County?
Due to the pandemic, we haven’t dined out much, but we have really enjoyed private catering for small outdoor gatherings from Nana’s Kitchen, in Middletown, provided by Chief Pat Conte.
What is your favorite activity to do with your child(ren) in Monmouth County?
Walking on the beach and playing in the sand.
What are your Mom Goals?
My hope is to emulate my own mother. I want Rosalind to feel unconditionally loved, listened to and supported as I did in childhood. If I can achieve that, then I know she will grow up to be happy and successful in whatever she chooses to pursue in life.
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