Spinal Tumor Doctors in New York

Although spinal tumors may be suspected or even tentatively diagnosed by the person’s primary care physician, they should only be treated by an expert spinal tumor team including an experienced neurosurgeon and neuro-oncologist. Within neurosurgery, there are sub-specialists whose expertise in treating spinal tumors is unparalleled. The neurosurgeons of the Spinal Tumor Program at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center perform complex surgical procedures every week and have an international reputation for their expertise. They work closely with neuro-oncologists and other experts to achieve the best outcomes for their patients.

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Highly-Trained Team of Experts

A highly trained team of spinal neurosurgeons, cerebrovascular neurosurgeons, interventional neuroradiologists, and radiosurgeons at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center are available to treat spinal tumors:

Roger Härtl, M.D.

Roger Härtl, M.D., named as one of the top 50 spine surgeons in the United States, is co-director of the Weill Cornell Spine Center and Director of Spinal Surgery and Neurotrauma at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center. He’s also the official neurosurgeon for the New York Giants. Dr. Härtl’s clinical and research expertise is in simple and complex spine surgery and neurotrauma. Dr. Härtl believes that surgery should be a part of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, and he works very closely with other specialists in a team effort to achieve the best outcome for his patients.

Eric Elowitz, M.D.

Eric Elowitz, M.D., is a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive spinal surgery and with added training and expertise in treating spine tumors. Routinely named to national lists of top doctors, Dr. Elowitz is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care with individual attention to each patient’s unique needs. Dr. Elowitz has developed a special expertise in new procedures for various spine conditions.

Athos Patsalides, M.D.

Athos Patsalides, M.D., is board-certified in Radiology and is an assistant professor of Radiology in Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center. Dr. Patsalides specializes in the treatment of vascular diseases of the brain and spine, and is an expert in the minimally invasive procedures (kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty) used to treat patients with spinal tumors.

Ali Baaj, M.D.

Dr. Ali Baaj is a board-certified neurosurgeon who specializes in spinal surgery, with advanced training and expertise in spinal oncology and complex reconstructive surgery for spinal deformity. He is accomplished in both minimally invasive spinal surgery and open complex spine surgery, having had formal training in both orthopedic and neurosurgical spine surgery.

Samuel C. Kim, M.D.

Dr. Samuel C. Kim is a board-certified neurosurgeon who has been in practice for 10 years. Dr. Kim has expertise in complex spinal surgery, brain tumors, peripheral nerve surgery, and vascular diseases of the brain and spine — including aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, carotid occlusion, and stroke. He sees patients at our Lower Manhattan office.

Rohan Ramakrishna, M.D.

Dr. Rohan Ramakrishna is an award-winning neurosurgeon who specializes in the treatment of brain tumors and other central nervous system tumors. Dr. Ramakrishna treats patients with gliomas, metastatic disease, skull base lesions, and pituitary disorders. He employs advanced awake mapping, imaging techniques, and microsurgery to ensure maximal tumor removal and achieve the safest possible surgical outcomes.

Susan Pannullo, M.D.

Dr. Susan Pannullo, M.D., director of Clinical Neuro-oncology, is board-certified in both Neurology and Neurological Surgery and specializes in stereotactic radiosurgery. Her practice allows her access to the Gamma Knife, CyberKnife, and Brainlab iX, all of which allow non-invasive treatment of spinal tumors and other conditions of the brain and spine.

Caitlin Hoffman, M.D.

Caitlin Hoffman, M.D., is an award-winning neurosurgeon who specializes in pediatric neurosurgery as well as in adult and pediatric epilepsy surgery. She has completed fellowship training in pediatric neurosurgery and has performed extensive research on the molecular mechanisms of progression of brain tumors, specifically medulloblastoma. Dr. Hoffman’s clinical research includes venous anomalies in craniosynostosis, early surgical treatment for Rasmussen’s encephalitis, minimally invasive methods of treating hydrocephalus and intracranial cysts, and the characteristics and safety of invasive monitoring for pediatric neurovascular disorders such as AVM.

Top-Ranked Specialists

The neurosurgeons at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center are fortunate to be part of the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital team. The 2014-15 “America’s Best Hospitals” ranking in US News and World Report placed NewYork-Presbyterian as the #1 hospital in New York, and our Neurology and Neurosurgery program ranks as the #1 program in New York (and #2 nationwide). Together, the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center team is the best choice for your spine.