Department of Neurosurgery

Background

I specialize in complex spine surgery, including adult spinal deformity, revision spine surgery, spinal reconstruction, spine tumors, and injuries involving the brain, spine, and spinal cord. Many of the patients I care for come to me with problems that are technically complex, emotionally overwhelming, or have already required one or more prior surgeries. Helping patients understand their condition, regain confidence, and move toward a better quality of life is one of the most meaningful parts of my work.

Some of the greatest joy I have as a surgeon comes from helping patients with spinal deformity or advanced degenerative disease stand upright, walk more comfortably, and return to parts of life they may not have experienced for years. In working with my patients, the goal is not simply to correct an X-ray or complete an operation. The goal is to help them move through the world with less pain, more independence, and a renewed sense of possibility.

I am often asked to evaluate patients with especially challenging spinal problems, including cases where prior treatments have failed or where surgery has been felt to be too complex or too high risk. I take that responsibility seriously. These situations require careful judgment, honest conversations, and a willingness to think deeply about what is truly best for the patient.

For many spinal conditions, surgery is only one of several possible options. I believe strongly that surgery should be offered only when it is truly the right solution, when the goals are clear, and when the expected benefits justify the risks. When surgery is appropriate, my goal is to combine careful planning, modern technology, and meticulous technique to achieve the safest and most durable result possible.

My clinical interests include adult spinal deformity, complex spinal reconstruction, revision spine surgery, spinal oncology, and craniospinal trauma. I also have a particular interest in using artificial intelligence, machine learning, clinical trials, and advanced data science to improve how we evaluate outcomes, predict risk, and guide decision-making in spine surgery.

I attended Washington University in St. Louis for college and completed medical school at the University of Maryland School of Medicine through the NIH-funded Medical Scientist Training Program, earning both my MD and PhD. I then completed residency training in Neurosurgery at NYU Langone Health, followed by fellowship training in Complex Spinal Surgery at Brown University Health.

My research has included basic science, translational research, clinical outcomes, and data-driven approaches to improving patient care. I have authored numerous peer-reviewed and award-winning publications and have been recognized as a Doximity Top 10% Most Cited Clinician and Op-Med Author. My scholarship is also represented among the top 5% of references used within DoxGPT’s curated clinical knowledge base.

At the center of everything I do is a simple principle: the patient comes first. My team and I aim to provide care that is thoughtful, honest, individualized, and compassionate. Whether a patient needs surgery, a second opinion, or help understanding a difficult diagnosis, my goal is to make sure they feel heard, informed, and cared for.

College: 

Washington University in St. Louis

Medical School: 

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Residency:

NYU Langone Health, Department of Neurosurgery

Fellowship:

Complex Spinal Surgery, Brown University Health, Department of Neurosurgery

Clinical Interests: 

Adult Spinal Deformity, Revision Spine Surgery, Complex Spinal Reconstruction, Spinal Oncology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Clinical Trials

Publications:

PUBMED