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Best Neurosurgeons in St. Petersburg

Written by Andrew Le, MD

Updated December 14, 2024

Introduction to Neurosurgery in St. Petersburg

Definition and scope of neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is a highly specialized medical field that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Neurosurgical procedures can range from minimally invasive techniques to complex surgeries, addressing conditions such as brain tumors, spinal disorders, and cerebrovascular diseases.

Selecting a qualified neurosurgeon is a significant decision that can greatly impact a patient's outcomes and quality of life. It requires careful consideration of the surgeon's expertise, experience, and track record in performing specific procedures.

Overview of neurosurgery options in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, Florida, offers a range of neurosurgical services, with at least 15 neurosurgeons practicing in the area according to the provided data. This gives patients a variety of options when seeking neurosurgical care.

Several notable medical facilities in St. Petersburg provide neurosurgical services, including HCA Florida Northside Hospital, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, and Mayo Clinic in Florida. These institutions offer state-of-the-art equipment and comprehensive care for neurosurgical patients.


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List of Neurosurgeons in St. Petersburg

Dr. Kurt Jaeckle

Dr. Kurt Jaeckle

5.0

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(904) 914-5419

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Vanderbilt University|Memorial Sloan Kettering Center (Fellowship Hospital)

Vanderbilt University Hospital (Residency Hospital)

Vanderbilt University Hospital (Internship Hospital)

Indiana University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1977)

English

Mayo Clinic In Florida

Neurology

Medical Oncology

Neurosurgery

AB

Dr. Adam Befeler

5.0

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Cook County Hospital (Residency Hospital, 1992)

Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (Medical School, 1985)

English

HCA Florida Northside Hospital

Neurosurgery

GJ

Dr. Gerald Tuite Jr

5.0

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(727) 767-8181

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Northwestern University (Medical School, 1988)

English

Johns Hopkins All Children''s Hospital

Neurosurgery

Dr. Rabih Tawk

Dr. Rabih Tawk

4.8

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Arabic

Phone

(904) 659-7405

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Staten Island University Hospital (Residency Hospital)

Lebanese University School of Medicine (Medical School, 2000)

English

Arabic

Mayo Clinic In Florida

Neurosurgery

Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery

Neurological Skull Base Surgery

Dr. Kirk Jobe

Dr. Kirk Jobe

4.7

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Rush Medical College (Residency Hospital, 2005)

Wayne State University School of Medicine (Internship Hospital, 1999)

Wayne State University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1998)

English

HCA Florida Northside Hospital

Neurosurgery

CC

Dr. Carolyn Carey

4.1

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(727) 767-8181

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Temple University (Medical School, 1983)

English

Johns Hopkins All Children''s Hospital

Neurosurgery

LR

Dr. Luis Rodriguez

4.1

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(727) 767-8181

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Michigan Hospitals (Residency Hospital, 2004)

Primary Childrens Medical Center (Fellowship Hospital, 2004)

University of Michigan Hospitals (Internship Hospital, 1997)

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN / MEDICAL CENTER (Medical School, 1996)

English

Spanish

Tampa General Hospital

Johns Hopkins All Children''s Hospital

Neurosurgery

GJ

Dr. George Jallo

4.1

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Arabic

Phone

(727) 767-8181

American Board of Neurological Surgery

UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX / NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CAMPUS (Medical School, 1991)

English

Arabic

Tampa General Hospital

Johns Hopkins All Children''s Hospital

Lewis County General Hospital

Neurosurgery

Dr. Harold Colbassani

Dr. Harold Colbassani

4.0

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(727) 298-6121

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Emory University Memorial Hospitals (Residency Hospital, 1988)

Grady Memorial Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1983)

Fairfield University (Undergraduate School, 1978)

English

Morton Plant Hospital

Neurosurgery

Dr. Cedric Shorter

Dr. Cedric Shorter

3.9

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Louisiana State University (Medical School, 2005)

English

HCA Florida Northside Hospital

Neurosurgery

Dr. Thomas Stengel

Dr. Thomas Stengel

3.7

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(727) 553-7550

University of Wisconsin|University of Wisconsin / Madison (Internship Hospital, 1992)

Medical College of Wisconsin (Medical School, 1991)

Medical College of Wisconsin (Residency Hospital, 1991)

English

St. Anthony''s Hospital

Bayfront Health Saint Petersburg

HCA Florida Northside Hospital

Neurosurgery

TS

Dr. Theodore Spinks

3.6

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(512) 298-3901

American Board of Neurological Surgery

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

Weill Cornell Medical College (Undergraduate School, 1995)

English

Morton Plant North Bay Hospital

Lee Memorial Hospital

Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola

Neurosurgery

Pediatric Neurosurgery

Pediatric Neurology

MS

Dr. Matthew Smyth

3.4

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(727) 767-8181

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of California at Berkeley (Medical School, 1996)

English

Johns Hopkins All Children''s Hospital

Neurosurgery

Dr. Kingsley Abode-Iyamah

Dr. Kingsley Abode-Iyamah

3.3

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(904) 659-7405

American Board of Neurological Surgery

English

Mayo Clinic In Florida

Neurosurgery

Neurological Spine Surgery

Minimally Invasive Neurological Spine Surgery

SA

Dr. Syed Akbari

N/A

St. Petersburg, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(727) 767-8181

American Board of Neurological Surgery

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE (Medical School)

English

Milton S Hershey Medical Center

Johns Hopkins All Children''s Hospital

Mount Nittany Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Selecting a Neurosurgeon in St. Petersburg

Factors to consider when choosing a neurosurgeon

Board certification

  • Verify American Board of Neurological Surgery certification
  • Importance of board certification in ensuring quality care

Experience and specializations

  • Years of practice and number of procedures performed
  • Subspecialties within neurosurgery (e.g., pediatric, spine, cerebrovascular)

Patient reviews and ratings

  • Importance of star ratings and number of reviews
  • Analyzing patient feedback for insights into doctor-patient relationships

Hospital affiliations

  • Quality of affiliated hospitals in St. Petersburg
  • Accessibility and reputation of affiliated medical centers

Resources for researching neurosurgeons

Online physician directories

  • Utilizing Healthgrades and similar platforms
  • Comparing information across multiple sources

Hospital websites

  • Reviewing neurosurgery departments at local hospitals
  • Accessing additional information about surgeons' backgrounds

Referrals from primary care physicians

  • Importance of seeking recommendations from trusted healthcare providers
  • Discussing referral options with your regular doctor

Top-Ranked Neurosurgeons in St. Petersburg

Dr. Adam Befeler

Education and Certifications

  • Residency at Cook County Hospital (1992)
  • Medical School: Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (1985)
  • Board Certified by American Board of Neurological Surgery

Hospital Affiliations

  • HCA Florida Northside Hospital

Patient Ratings and Reviews

  • 5.0 star rating
  • 12 patient reviews

Dr. Gerald Tuite Jr

Education and Certifications

  • Medical School: Northwestern University (1988)
  • Board Certified by American Board of Neurological Surgery

Hospital Affiliations

  • Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

Patient Ratings and Reviews

  • 5.0 star rating
  • 8 patient reviews

Dr. Kurt Jaeckle

Education and Certifications

  • Fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Center
  • Residency and Internship at Vanderbilt University Hospital
  • Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine (1977)
  • Board Certified by American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Hospital Affiliations

  • Mayo Clinic In Florida

Patient Ratings and Reviews

  • 5.0 star rating
  • 9 patient reviews

Dr. Rabih Tawk

Education and Certifications

  • Residency at Staten Island University Hospital
  • Medical School: Lebanese University School of Medicine (2000)
  • Board Certified by American Board of Neurological Surgery

Hospital Affiliations

  • Mayo Clinic In Florida

Patient Ratings and Reviews

  • 4.8 star rating
  • 11 patient reviews

Additional Information

  • Specializes in Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery and Neurological Skull Base Surgery
  • Fluent in English and Arabic

Dr. Kirk Jobe

Education and Certifications

  • Residency at Rush Medical College (2005)
  • Internship at Wayne State University School of Medicine (1999)
  • Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine (1998)
  • Board Certified by American Board of Neurological Surgery

Hospital Affiliations

  • HCA Florida Northside Hospital

Patient Ratings and Reviews

  • 4.7 star rating
  • 57 patient reviews

Additional Considerations for Choosing a Neurosurgeon

Language preferences

Availability of multilingual neurosurgeons

  • Dr. Rabih Tawk (English, Arabic)
  • Dr. Luis Rodriguez (English, Spanish)
  • Dr. George Jallo (English, Arabic)

Importance of clear communication in medical care

  • Discuss language options during initial consultation
  • Consider translation services if necessary

Gender preferences

Options for male and female neurosurgeons

  • Majority of listed neurosurgeons are male
  • Dr. Carolyn Carey - female neurosurgeon option

Considering personal comfort in medical decisions

  • Importance of patient-doctor relationship
  • Gender preference as a factor in decision-making

Subspecialties within neurosurgery

Pediatric neurosurgery

  • Dr. Gerald Tuite Jr - affiliated with Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
  • Dr. George Jallo - affiliated with Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
  • Dr. Theodore Spinks - specializes in pediatric neurosurgery

Spine surgery

  • Dr. Kingsley Abode-Iyamah - specializes in neurological spine surgery and minimally invasive procedures

Cerebrovascular neurosurgery

  • Dr. Rabih Tawk - specializes in cerebrovascular neurosurgery and neurological skull base surgery