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Best Neurosurgeons in Birmingham

Written by Andrew Le, MD

Updated November 14, 2024

Introduction to Neurosurgery in Birmingham

Overview of neurosurgery as a medical specialty

Neurosurgery is a highly specialized medical field focusing on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.

This complex specialty requires extensive training and expertise to address conditions ranging from brain tumors and aneurysms to spinal disorders and traumatic injuries.

Patients with neurological conditions often require the advanced care that only skilled neurosurgeons can provide, making it an essential component of comprehensive healthcare.

Birmingham's role in neurosurgical care

Birmingham, Alabama, has established itself as a significant hub for neurosurgical care, hosting several renowned medical institutions.

The city boasts a number of highly qualified neurosurgeons, many of whom are affiliated with prestigious hospitals such as UAB Hospital, Children's of Alabama, and Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham.

With over 50 neurosurgeons practicing in the area, Birmingham offers patients access to a wide range of subspecialties and expertise within the field of neurosurgery.


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List of Neurosurgeons in Birmingham

Dr. Gustavo Chagoya

Dr. Gustavo Chagoya

5.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(630) 527-7730

English

Spanish

Elmhurst Hospital-Main Campus

Edward Hospital-Main Campus

Neurology

Neurosurgery

AS

Dr. Arsalaan Salehani

5.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(470) 977-5277

English

Neurology

Neurosurgery

BG

Dr. Barton Guthrie

5.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-4011

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Medical School, 1980)

English

Helen Keller Hospital

Mobile Infirmary

Neurosurgery

EL

Dr. Elizabeth Liptrap

5.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-3411

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Maryland School of Medicine (Medical School)

English

East Alabama Medical Center

HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital

Walker Baptist Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Dr. Matthew Erwood

Dr. Matthew Erwood

5.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 933-8981

American Board of Neurological Surgery

English

Ascension St. Vincent's Chilton

Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham

Saint Vincent's Saint Clair

Neurosurgery

Dr. Ichiro Nakano

Dr. Ichiro Nakano

5.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-3411

English

Neurosurgery

PS

Dr. Philip Schmalz

5.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 731-9701

English

Anderson Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

MB

Dr. Melandee Brown

5.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(559) 353-6277

American Board of Neurological Surgery

TEACHERS COLLEGE AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (Medical School, 2002)

English

Valley Children's Hospital

Neurosurgery

RM

Dr. Richard Morawetz

5.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-3411

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Duke University (Medical School, 1969)

English

Neurosurgery

JM

Dr. Joshua Menendez

4.8

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 933-8981

American Board of Neurological Surgery

English

Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham

Cullman Regional Medical Center

Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

JM

Dr. James Dowell Markert

4.8

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-7171

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Michigan Hospitals (Residency Hospital, 1995)

University of Michigan Hospitals (Internship Hospital, 1989)

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (Medical School, 1988)

English

Southeast Health Medical Center

Huntsville Hospital

Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola

Neurosurgery

Dr. Prashant Kelkar

Dr. Prashant Kelkar

4.7

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(248) 569-7745

American Osteopathic Board of Surgery

Saint John Providence Hospital (Fellowship Hospital)

Swedish Hospital Medical Center (Fellowship Hospital)

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Fellowship Hospital)

Providence Hospital (Residency Hospital)

Midwestern University (Medical School, 2007)

English

Ascension Providence Hospital-Southfield Campus

Ascension Saint John Hospital

Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Warren Campus

Neurosurgery

Neuroendovascular Surgery

Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery

Neurological Skull Base Surgery

Minimally Invasive Neurological Spine Surgery

MC

Dr. Melissa Chambers

4.7

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-3411

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Medical School, 1995)

English

UAB Medical West Main Campus

Neurosurgery

MH

Dr. Mark Hadley

4.6

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-1439

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of California Davis Medical Center (Medical School, 1983)

English

Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham

East Alabama Medical Center

Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Dr. Winston Capel

Dr. Winston Capel

4.6

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University Md|University of Maryland (Fellowship Hospital, 1998)

University Ms School Med/U Ms Med Center|University Ms School Med/U Ms Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 1997)

Rosalind Franklin University Chicago Medical School (Medical School, 1991)

University Mississippi Medical Center|University of Mississippi School of Medicine (Internship Hospital, 1991)

English

Brookwood Baptist Medical Center

Shelby Baptist Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Orthopedic Spine Surgery

Neurological Spine Reconstructive Surgery

CI

Dr. Charles Clark III

4.6

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 212-6000

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Medical School, 1975)

English

Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham

Neurosurgery

Dr. James Johnston

Dr. James Johnston

4.6

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English, French

Phone

(205) 638-9653

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Washington University, St Louis (Fellowship Hospital, 2010)

Washington University School of Medicine (Medical School, 2002)

Washington and Lee University (Undergraduate School, 1995)

English

French

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay

Children's Of Alabama

Russell Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Dr. Robert Robinson

Dr. Robert Robinson

4.5

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 250-6805

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Alabama Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1994)

University of Colorado At Denver (Medical School, 1993)

Colorado State University (Undergraduate School, 1989)

English

Grandview Medical Center

Highlands Medical Center

Neurosurgery

PP

Dr. Patrick Pritchard

4.5

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-3411

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Georgetown University School of Dentistry (Medical School, 1993)

English

DCH Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Dr. Kristen Riley

Dr. Kristen Riley

4.4

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-3411

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Great Ormond Street Hospital (Fellowship Hospital, 2004)

UAB Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1999)

English

Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast

Baptist Medical Center East

Helen Keller Hospital

Neurosurgery

CH

Dr. Carter Harsh

4.4

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 933-8981

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Medical School, 1985)

English

Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham

Ascension St. Vincent's Blount

Saint Vincent's Saint Clair

Neurosurgery

Dr. Scott Soleau

Dr. Scott Soleau

4.4

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(225) 769-2200

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Medical College of Wisconsin (Fellowship Hospital, 2005)

Neurosurgical Spine-Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Neurosurgery, Milwaukee, WI (Fellowship Hospital, 2005)

Pediatric Neurosurgery-University of Alabama Birmingham Children's Hospital of Alabama, Birmingham, AL (Fellowship Hospital, 2004)

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Fellowship Hospital, 2004)

University of Utah Department of Neurosurgery, SLC, UT (Residency Hospital, 2003)

University of Utah (Internship Hospital, 1998)

University of Utah, SLC, UT (Internship Hospital, 1998)

University of Virginia Health Sciences Center (Medical School, 1997)

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (Medical School, 1997)

English

Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital

Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center

Lane Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Neurological Spine Reconstructive Surgery

Neurological Spine Surgery

Minimally Invasive Neurological Spine Surgery

MO

Dr. Mamerhi Okor

4.4

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-5038

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Emory University School of Medicine (Medical School, 2001)

English

Fayette Medical Center

Crenshaw Community Hospital

Huntsville Hospital

Neurosurgery

PC

Dr. Paul Clark

4.3

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 933-8981

English

Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham

Neurosurgery

Dr. Swaid Swaid

Dr. Swaid Swaid

4.3

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 949-1800

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Private Practice - Solo ()

University of Alabama Hospital (Residency Hospital, 1981)

University Calif (Internship Hospital, 1977)

University of California San Diego Medical Center (Internship Hospital, 1977)

University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine (Medical School, 1976)

Harding University (Undergraduate School, 1973)

English

Grandview Medical Center

Brookwood Baptist Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Dr. Thomas Staner Jr

Dr. Thomas Staner Jr

4.2

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 991-4400

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (Medical School, 1969)

English

AdventHealth Redmond

Neurology

Neurosurgery

JB

Dr. Jeffrey Blount

4.2

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 638-9653

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University Toronto/Hosp For Sick Chldrn (Fellowship Hospital, 2000)

University MN (Residency Hospital, 1996)

University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry (Medical School, 1989)

English

Huntsville Hospital

Andalusia Health

Children's Of Alabama

Neurosurgery

PM

Dr. Philip Maher

4.1

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 933-8981

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Medical School, 1998)

English

Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham

Cullman Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

TN

Dr. Tuan Nguyen

4.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 877-1000

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Texas A&M University / Main Campus (Medical School, 2003)

English

Brookwood Baptist Medical Center

Neurosurgery

WH

Dr. Walter Haynes

3.7

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 250-6805

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Carraway Methodist Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 1994)

University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine (Medical School, 1992)

Vanderbilt University (Undergraduate School, 1985)

English

Grandview Medical Center

Neurosurgery

MH

Dr. Mark Harrigan

3.6

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 996-2536

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Washington (Medical School, 1995)

English

Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital

Thomas Hospital

Riverview Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Dr. James Fleming

Dr. James Fleming

3.5

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(614) 533-5500

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Residency Hospital, 2012)

University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine (Residency Hospital, 2012)

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (Medical School, 2005)

English

Dublin Methodist Hospital

Riverside Methodist Hospital

Grady Memorial Hospital

Neurosurgery

EI

Dr. Enoch Morris III

3.5

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 986-5200

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Medical School, 1982)

English

Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham

Neurosurgery

BF

Dr. Benjamin Fulmer

3.2

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 986-5200

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Medical School, 1993)

English

Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham

Saint Vincent's Saint Clair

Neurosurgery

Orthopedic Spine Surgery

SI

Dr. Samuel Bowen II

3.1

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 986-5200

American Board of Neurological Surgery

North Carolina Baptist Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1994)

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Medical School, 1993)

Auburn University (Undergraduate School, 1989)

English

Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham

Ascension St. Vincent's Blount

Coosa Valley Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Orthopedic Spine Surgery

Dr. Andrew Romeo

Dr. Andrew Romeo

3.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-3411

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine (Fellowship Hospital)

University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine (Residency Hospital)

University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine (Medical School)

English

AdventHealth Littleton

AdventHealth Castle Rock

AdventHealth Parker

Neurosurgery

Brain Aneurysms

Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery

CR

Dr. Curtis Rozzelle

3.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 939-9653

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Wake Forest University (Medical School, 1995)

English

Huntsville Hospital

Children's Of Alabama

Russell Medical Center

Neurosurgery

RJ

Dr. Robert Johnson Jr

3.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 787-8676

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Medical School, 1982)

English

Princeton Baptist Medical Center

Neurosurgery

WO

Dr. Walter Oakes

3.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 638-9100

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Duke University (Medical School, 1972)

English

Neurosurgery

RC

Dr. Resit Cezayirli

2.7

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 787-8676

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Medical School, 1980)

English

Princeton Baptist Medical Center

Neurosurgery

GF

Dr. Gerhard Friehs

1.7

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English, German

Phone

(205) 996-2536

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA / ANCHORAGE CAMPUS (Medical School, 1988)

English

German

Neurosurgery

CI

Dr. Carl Nechtman III

1.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 933-8981

University of South Alabama Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine (Medical School, 2015)

English

Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham

Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

CC

Dr. Chad Claus

1.0

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-4011

English

Neurosurgery

AR

Dr. Ashfaq Razzaq

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 731-9701

Aga Khan Medical College (Medical School, 1994)

English

Orthopedic Surgery

Neurosurgery

JP

Dr. Jonathan Pindrik

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(614) 722-4823

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (Medical School, 2007)

English

Mercer County Community Hospital

Doctors Hospital

Kettering Health Greene Memorial

Neurosurgery

LR

Dr. Lauren Rotman

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(814) 877-5330

CASE WESTERN RESERVE CARE SYSTEM (Medical School, 2014)

English

Mobile Infirmary

Neurosurgery

ZW

Dr. Zachary Wright

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 638-9653

American Board of Neurological Surgery

TEACHERS COLLEGE AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (Medical School, 2010)

English

Valley Children's Hospital

Neurosurgery

MH

Dr. Marshall Holland

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-9879

English

OHSU Hospital-Marquam Hill Campus

Neurosurgery

JB

Dr. Jessica Bentley

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-3411

Augusta University Medical College of Georgia (Medical School, 2010)

English

Neurosurgery

BR

Dr. Brandon Rocque

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 638-9653

American Board of Neurological Surgery

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE (Medical School, 2005)

English

Children's Of Alabama

Cullman Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

PL

Dr. Paige Lundy

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

English

University of Kansas Hospital

Neurosurgery

AI

Adeel Ilyas

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-3546

English

Neurosurgery

FH

Dr. Faizal Haji

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 638-9474

English

Neurosurgery

PF

Dr. Paul Foreman

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(321) 841-7550

American Board of Neurological Surgery

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA / HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER (Medical School, 2011)

English

Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

HS

Dr. Hamdi Sukkarieh

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(601) 984-6525

American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine (Medical School, 2008)

English

Mississippi Baptist Medical Center

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Pascagoula Hospital

Neurosurgery

PC

Dr. Patrick Chan

N/A

Birmingham, AL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(205) 934-7170

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine And Dentistry (Medical School, 1994)

English

Neurosurgery

Choosing a Neurosurgeon in Birmingham

Factors to consider when selecting a neurosurgeon

Board certification and qualifications

  • American Board of Neurological Surgery certification
  • Educational background and training

Experience and specialization

  • Years of practice
  • Specific areas of expertise within neurosurgery

Hospital affiliations

  • Quality of affiliated medical centers
  • Access to advanced medical facilities

Patient reviews and ratings

  • Overall star rating on platforms like Healthgrades
  • Number of patient reviews

Resources for researching neurosurgeons

Online platforms

  • Healthgrades profiles and ratings
  • Other medical review websites

Professional recommendations

  • Referrals from primary care physicians
  • Consultations with local medical societies

Hospital directories

  • Lists of neurosurgeons affiliated with major Birmingham hospitals
  • Hospital-specific quality metrics for neurosurgery departments

Top-Ranked Neurosurgeons in Birmingham

Dr. Matthew Erwood

Qualifications and Experience

  • Board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery
  • Associated with multiple hospitals in the Birmingham area

Patient Satisfaction

  • 5.0 star rating based on 9 patient reviews
  • Highly regarded for neurosurgical expertise

Contact Information

  • Phone: (205) 933-8981
  • Affiliated with Ascension St. Vincent's hospitals

Dr. Joshua Menendez

Qualifications and Experience

  • Board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery
  • Practices at multiple hospitals in Alabama

Patient Satisfaction

  • 4.8 star rating based on 60 patient reviews
  • Known for comprehensive neurosurgical care

Contact Information

  • Phone: (205) 933-8981
  • Affiliated with Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham and other regional hospitals

Dr. James Dowell Markert

Qualifications and Experience

  • Board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery
  • Educated at prestigious institutions including Columbia University

Patient Satisfaction

  • 4.8 star rating based on 17 patient reviews
  • Respected for neurosurgical expertise

Contact Information

  • Phone: (205) 934-7171
  • Affiliated with multiple hospitals across Alabama and Florida

Dr. Mark Hadley

Qualifications and Experience

  • Board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery
  • Graduated from University of California Davis Medical Center

Patient Satisfaction

  • 4.6 star rating based on 144 patient reviews
  • Highly experienced in neurosurgical procedures

Contact Information

  • Phone: (205) 934-1439
  • Affiliated with Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham and other regional hospitals

Additional Considerations for Neurosurgical Care in Birmingham

Importance of Seeking Second Opinions

Benefits of multiple expert perspectives

  • Enhances decision-making process
  • Provides reassurance or alternative options

How to approach seeking a second opinion

  • Discuss with your primary neurosurgeon
  • Utilize Birmingham's diverse neurosurgical expertise

Understanding Treatment Options and Surgical Procedures

Common neurosurgical procedures in Birmingham

  • Brain tumor resection
  • Spine surgery
  • Cerebrovascular interventions

Emerging technologies and techniques

  • Minimally invasive procedures
  • Advanced imaging technologies

Preparing for Neurosurgical Consultations

Information to gather beforehand

  • Medical history and records
  • List of current medications
  • Imaging results

Questions to ask your neurosurgeon

  • Treatment options and success rates
  • Potential risks and complications
  • Recovery expectations

Post-operative Care and Follow-up

Birmingham's post-operative care facilities

  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Home health care services

Long-term follow-up considerations

  • Scheduling regular check-ups
  • Monitoring for potential complications