John Wainwright, MD, MS.

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Highly Trained Neurosurgeon Brings Expertise in Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery to Leading Health Network

A fellowship-trained neurosurgeon specializing in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery, Dr. Wainwright is a member of the esteemed team of medical professionals at Westchester Medical Center. His practice focuses on the comprehensive surgical management of adult spinal disorders, including degenerative conditions, disc disease, spinal deformity, spine tumors, and spinal cord injuries. His commitment to a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach distinguishes him in neurosurgery. 

“I believe in a dynamic approach to spine care,” he stated. “It’s essential to get to know my patients personally so I can tailor my treatment plans to their individual needs, expectations, and lifestyles.”

In his practice, Dr. Wainwright strongly advocates exhausting all possible avenues for non-surgical treatments before considering surgery. He employs traditional open techniques and cutting-edge minimally invasive procedures when surgical intervention is necessary. His expertise includes complex spine and spinal deformity, minimally-invasive spine surgery, motion-preserving spine procedures, robot-assisted spine procedures, and endoscopic spine surgery.

Emphasizing the importance of long-term follow-up care, he ensures that each patient receives ongoing support even after they leave the operating room. He employs a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to achieve optimal treatment outcomes, coordinating both non-surgical interventions and surgical options as needed. His ultimate goal is to restore as much function as possible so that his patients can return to leading full and satisfying lives.

Education-wise, Dr. Wainwright completed his medical degree at New York Medical College, where he was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and received the  Department of Neurosurgery Award. He completed his residency training in Neurological Surgery at Westchester Medical Center, earning multiple awards for his research contributions, including the esteemed Mayfield Basic Science Award from the  AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the  Spine.

Following his residency, he pursued a fellowship in Complex Spine Surgery and Spinal Disorders at Thomas Jefferson University, where he worked alongside leading spinal neurosurgeons and orthopedic specialists from the renowned Rothman Orthopedics group. His research interests include therapeutics for enhancing recovery after spinal cord injury, optimizing clinical outcomes after spine surgery, and developing opioid-sparing anesthetic techniques. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and has presented at national meetings, further establishing his reputation in the field.

Continuously advancing his efforts, Dr. Wainwright is a member of several local, national, and international neurosurgical and spine societies, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, AO Spine, the Cervical Spine Research Society, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the Lumbar Spine Research Society, the New York Society of Neurosurgery, the North American Spine Society, and the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Notably, he is among a select few U.S. spine surgeons who have been awarded the AO Spine Global Spine Diploma, recognizing his expertise in spine care.

In addition to his clinical work, he is a dedicated educator. He mentors neurosurgery residents and medical students in the operating room and clinic. He is developing a multidisciplinary spine education curriculum with the Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Anesthesia and Pain Management, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

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