My Locations

Duke Neurosurgery of Raleigh
3480 Wake Forest Rd
Suite 310
Raleigh, NC 27609-7376
Duke Raleigh Hospital
3400 Wake Forest Rd
Raleigh, NC 27609
Duke Spine Center - Clinic 1B/1C
40 Duke Medicine Cir
Clinic 1B/1C
Durham, NC 27710-4000

About Me

Learn More About Me

I have had the privilege of providing neurosurgical care at Duke Health since 1995 with the majority of that time focused on cervical spine disorders. By involving my patients in their own care through careful histories, examinations, and a thorough review of imaging studies, we are able to use that process to plan on whether conservative care or possible surgery will relieve their pain and get them back to living at their best. I have performed over 6,500 cervical spine procedures and perform approximately 350 cervical spine surgeries per year, focusing on great outcomes and short stays. 98% of patients are in the hospital less than 24 hours after surgery. I have been recognized as the top cervical spine surgeon in the country by MPIRICA Health Inc. based on my outcomes. According to ProPublica, I have the lowest complication rate in North Carolina. I hope through my extensive clinical experience to provide excellent diagnostics and, through an outstanding team, provide the very best surgical results. My belief is that by combining the technical and spiritual sides to my practice, patients have the very best outcomes and together we accomplish amazing results for them.

Current Appointments and Affiliations
Languages
English

Areas of Expertise

Training

Board Certifications
American Board of Neurological Surgery, Neurological Surgery
Residency
Neurosurgery, University of Washington Hospitals, 1987-1994
Education
MD with Honors, University of Washington, 1987
PhD, University of Washington, 1988,
MEd, University of Southern California, 2016
Fellowship
Epilepsy Surgery, Senior Fellow, University of Washington Hospitals, 1995

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

As Division Chief of Duke Global Neurosurgery, I believe in Luke 12:48, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.” Our research team of 70 members focuses on traumatic brain injury and epilepsy. Our work resulted in my receiving the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Humanitarian Award. We take neurosurgical teams to Uganda to perform free surgeries and research. As a faculty member at Duke NUS Global Health Institute, I work with neurosurgeons in Singapore/Myanmar. Educationally, I developed innovative methods for surgical trainees by applying social learning theory to competency-based surgical education with formative feedback and metacognitive skills.

Publications and Grants

Ratings and Reviews

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Learn more about our survey process. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

Patient Reviews

Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Survey and displayed in their entirety.
Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy

Insurance

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below. Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.

  • Aetna
    • Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
    • Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
    • Aetna/CVS Health
    • Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
    • Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
    • Aetna HMO
    • Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
    • Aetna Managed Choice POS
    • Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
    • Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
    • Aetna Open Choice PPO
    • Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
    • Aetna Select HMO
    • Aetna Traditional Choice
    • Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
    • Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
  • Ambetter
    • Ambetter of North Carolina
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
    • Blue Advantage
    • Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
    • Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
    • Blue Select
    • NC State Employees Health Plan
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
  • CIGNA
    • Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
    • Cigna Choice Plus
    • Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
    • Cigna Open Access
    • Cigna Open Access Plus
    • *Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
  • Duke Group Plans
    • Duke Basic
    • Duke Select
  • Experience Health
    • Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
  • First Health
  • Gateway Health Alliance
  • Halifax Physician-Hospital Organization
    • Halifax Physician-Hospital Organization plans*
    • *This plan is only accepted at Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, and Duke HomeCare & Hospice.
  • Healthgram
  • Humana
    • Humana Choice (PPO)
    • Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
    • Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
    • Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
  • MedCost
  • Medicare
    • First Medicare Direct
    • Medicare Part A
    • Medicare Part B
  • MultiPlan / Private Healthcare Systems
  • NC Medicaid
    • WellCare of North Carolina
    • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
    • NC Medicaid Direct
    • Healthy Blue
    • Carolina Complete Health
    • AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
  • OneNet PPO
  • Optima Health
    • FAMIS*
    • Optima Family Care (Medicaid HMO in VA)*
    • Optima Individual & Family (On & Off Exchange Plans)
    • Optima Plus (PPO)
    • Optima Vantage (HMO)
    • *Duke Primary Care, Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital are not participating with this plan.
  • TRICARE
    • TRICARE Prime
    • TRICARE Prime Remote
    • TRICARE Select
  • United Healthcare
    • AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
    • AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
    • AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
    • All Savers Alternate Funding
    • All Savers Fully Insured
    • United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)
    • United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
    • United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
    • United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
    • United Healthcare Option PPO
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
    • United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
    • United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
    • United Medical Resources (UMR)
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.

External Relationships

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies or institutions listed below. This information has been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.

  • Alphatech Inc
  • NuVasive, Inc.
  • Providence Medical Inc
  • Surgical Autonomy Program, Inc