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US CCI and AAI surgical directory
18 documented surgeons and programs identified in 8 states. Other states were not independently verified in the audit. CCI is craniocervical instability; AAI is atlantoaxial instability, the same kind of problem one joint lower, between C1 and C2.
Important notes, in the compilers' words: this is a research-audited directory, not a complete national list; inclusion does not guarantee current scheduling or insurance participation; some listings are adult-focused and others pediatric-focused, so verify the population treated; many surgeons treat upper-cervical disorders, but only documented CCI, AAI or craniocervical program evidence was included. The physicians listed have not been consulted about this page and may not evaluate the hypermobility-type CCI discussed in the guide. Listing here is not an endorsement by the National Foundation for ME/CFS Research, and nothing on this page is medical advice. Fusion surgery is irreversible and carries serious risks; see the risks page for what the surgeons' own series report, and the surgery section of the CCI guide for the questions to ask any surgeon.
Maryland
- Fraser C. Henderson Sr., MDMetropolitan Neurosurgery GroupUpper Marlboro
Published CCI outcomes research; older papers list Silver Spring affiliation.
New York
- Paolo A. Bolognese, MDCenter for Neuro-EDS & Craniospinal DisordersOceanside
- Jeffrey Greenfield, MD, PhDNewYork-Presbyterian / Weill CornellNew York City
- Roger Härtl, MDNewYork-Presbyterian / Weill CornellNew York City
- Dan Riew, MDNewYork-Presbyterian / Weill CornellNew York City
- Michael Virk, MD, PhDNewYork-Presbyterian / Weill CornellNew York City
- Ibrahim Hussain, MDNewYork-Presbyterian / Weill CornellNew York City
Weill Cornell lists these physicians as doctors who treat craniocervical junction disorders.
South Carolina
- Sunil J. Patel, MDMUSC HealthCharleston area
Documented EDS spine expertise; coauthor on published CCI literature.
North Carolina
- Deb A. Bhowmick, MDDuke Spine CenterDurham
Adult complex spine surgeon focused on pathology of the craniocervical junction.
Pennsylvania
- Alexander Tucker, MDChildren's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia / King of Prussia
- Patrick J. Cahill, MDChildren's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia
Pediatric craniocervical junction and cervical instability expertise.
Missouri
- Camilo Molina, MDWashington University in St. LouisAdult care
- Wilson Zachary Ray, MD, MBAWashington University in St. LouisAdult care
- Sean D. McEvoy, MDWashington University in St. LouisPediatric care
- Jennifer M. Strahle, MDWashington University in St. LouisPediatric care
Washington University has a dedicated Atlantoaxial Instability Team.
California
- Cormac Maher, MDStanford Medicine Children's HealthPalo Alto
- Kelly Mahaney, MDStanford Medicine Children's HealthPalo Alto
Stanford pediatric spine team lists craniovertebral junction abnormalities and congenital spinal conditions.
Rhode Island
- Petra M. Klinge, MD, PhDBrown University Health / Rhode Island HospitalProvidence
Connective tissue, Chiari, tethered cord, and associated spinal fluid disorders.
Reported by patients, not audited
Names raised in comments on the group's post, as patient reports. They were not part of the audit and have not been checked by the compilers or by us; verify before contacting.
- Dr. Virojanapa, OhioReported to perform CCI and AAI fusions.
- Dr. Patricia Sullivan, Rhode IslandNamed by a commenter as seeing CCI patients in Providence.
Corrections and additions
To correct or add a listing, contact the Upper Cervical Instability Awareness group. Corrections to this page: lukas@nationalmecfs.org.