Overview
I specialize in the surgical management of all complex cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spinal diseases by using minimally invasive as well as standard approaches for arthritis or degenerative disease, deformity, tumors, and trauma. I have a special interest in the treatment of thoracolumbar deformities, occipital-cervical problems, and in helping patients with complex spinal issues from previously unsuccessful surgery or recurrent disease.I listen to my patients to understand their symptoms and experiences so I can provide them with the information and education they need to manage their disease. I make sure my patients understand their treatment options, and what will work best for their individual condition. I treat all my patients with care and concern – just as I would treat my family. I am available to address my patients' concerns before and after surgery. I aim to improve surgical outcomes for my patients and care of all spine patients with active research evaluating clinical and radiological results after spine surgery with multiple prospective databases. I am particularly interested in prevention of spinal deformity, infections, complications, and recurrent spinal disease. Also, I study whether patient specific variables including pelvic/sacral anatomy and sagittal spinal balance predict complications from spine surgery.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Neurosurgery
·
2018 - Present
Neurosurgery,
Neurosurgery
Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery
·
2018 - Present
Orthopaedic Surgery,
Clinical Science Departments
Recent Publications
Are There Differences in 2-Year Outcomes Between Two-Level Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion Versus Single-Level Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion to Treat Cervical Myelopathy? A Quality Outcomes Database Study.
Journal Article Neurosurgery · November 1, 2025 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There has been limited assessment between anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in the treatment of cervical spondylotic mye ... Full text Open Access Link to item CiteBig Data in Neurosurgery: A Guideline on Data Structures, Machine Learning Models, and Ethical Considerations.
Journal Article Oper Neurosurg · August 25, 2025 Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping neurosurgery, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance diagnostics, personalize treatment, and predict outcomes. At the heart of this transformation is the ability to effectively harness big data (BD) within ... Full text Link to item CiteA comparative study on the effect of age on Neck Disability Index improvement at 24 months after surgical intervention for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a Quality Outcomes Database study.
Journal Article J Neurosurg Spine · August 1, 2025 OBJECTIVE: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is often accompanied by neck pain, which, along with more recognized neurological deficits like motor and sensory changes, significantly impacts patients' quality of life. The authors examined whether age in ... Full text Open Access Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Human Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by NuVasive, Inc. · 2020 - 2020Peri-Operative Geriatric Co-care Reduces Complications and Improves Outcomes: A Single Institutional Prospective Cohort Study
FellowshipMentor · Awarded by AANS/CNS Section of Neurotrauma and Critical Care · 2015 - 2017View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of Arizona ·
2001
M.D.