Doctors Who Treat Spinal Tumors

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 Och Spine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical 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.

A highly trained team of spinal neurosurgeons, cerebrovascular neurosurgeons, interventional neuroradiologists, and radiosurgeons are available to treat spinal tumors:

Roger Härtl, M.D., named as one of the top 50 spine surgeons in the United States, is the Hansen-MacDonald Professor of Neurological Surgery and Director of Spinal Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, as well as the founder and director of Och Spine at NewYork-Presbyterian at the Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Comprehensive Spine Care. 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. (Read more about Dr. Härtl.)

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. (Read more about Dr. Pannullo.)

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. (Read more about Dr. Ramakrishna.)

Caitlin Hoffman, M.D., is a board-certified neurosurgeon who specializes in pediatric neurosurgery. She has completed fellowship training in pediatric neurosurgery and has performed extensive research on the molecular mechanisms of progression of brain tumors, specifically medulloblastoma. More about Dr. Hoffman

Dr. Michael Virk is a widely published neurosurgeon with specialty training in minimally invasive and complex surgery for a wide variety of spine conditions. In addition to spinal tumors, his specialties include scoliosis, trauma, degenerative disease, radiculopathy, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis. Dr. Virk uses state-of-the-art minimally invasive techniques with intraoperative, computer-assisted navigation as well as spinal endoscopy. He also uses fundamental, open surgical strategies in patients who will benefit most from these. (Read more about Dr. Virk)

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Our Care Team

  • Hansen-MacDonald Professor of Neurological Surgery
  • Director of Spinal Surgery
Phone: 212-746-2152
  • Orthopedic Surgeon
  • Director, Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Phone: 212-746-1164
  • Clinical Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
  • Attending Neurosurgeon
Phone: 888-922-2257
  • Director, Neurosurgical Radiosurgery
  • Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
  • Robert G. Schwager, MD ’67 Education Scholar, Cornell University
Phone: 212-746-2438
  • Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery, Spinal Surgery
  • Co-Director, Spinal Deformity and Scoliosis Program
Phone: 212-746-2260
  • Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery 
Phone: (888) 922-2257
  • Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
Phone: 646-962-3388
  • Chief of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens
  • Co-director, Weill Cornell Medicine CSF Leak Program
Phone: (718) 670-1837
  • Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery, Spine Surgery
Phone: 718-670-1837 (Queens) / 888-922-2257 (Manhattan)
  • Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
Phone: 866-426-7787 (Manhattan) / 646-967-2020 (Brooklyn)
  • Vice Chair for Academic Affairs
  • Professor of Neurological Surgery, Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Associate Residency Director
Phone: 212-746-2363
  • Victor and Tara Menezes Clinical Scholar in Neuroscience
  • Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery in Pediatrics
Phone: 212-746-2363
  • Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
Phone: (718) 670-1837
  • Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery, Spine Surgery
Phone: 718-780-3070

Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery 525 East 68 Street, Box 99 New York, NY 10065 Phone: 866-426-7787