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Best Neurosurgeons in Knoxville

Written by Andrew Le, MD

Updated December 14, 2024

Introduction to Neurosurgery in Knoxville

Overview of neurosurgery as a medical specialty

Neurosurgery is a highly specialized medical field focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Neurosurgeons in Knoxville treat a wide range of conditions, from brain tumors and spine disorders to traumatic injuries and congenital abnormalities.

The field requires extensive training and expertise, as evidenced by the educational backgrounds of Knoxville's neurosurgeons, such as Dr. Stephen Lowe from Northeast Ohio Medical University and Dr. Carter Gerard from the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Importance of choosing the right neurosurgeon

Selecting an appropriate neurosurgeon is a significant decision that can greatly influence a patient's treatment outcome and overall health.

Knoxville offers a range of highly qualified neurosurgeons, with many boasting impressive ratings. For instance, Dr. Stephen Lowe and Dr. Carter Gerard both maintain a 4.9-star rating from patient reviews.

When choosing a neurosurgeon in Knoxville, patients should consider factors such as the surgeon's education, certifications, hospital affiliations, and patient reviews. For example, Dr. James Killeffer, with a 4.8-star rating from 59 reviews, is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including the University of Tennessee Medical Center and Parkwest Medical Center.


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List of Neurosurgeons in Knoxville

AI

Dr. Arthur Kliefoth III

5.0

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 524-9400

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Wash-Barnes Hospital (Residency Hospital, 1978)

Mallinckrodt Inst Rad-St Lo (Fellowship Hospital, 1978)

Naval Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 1973)

Naval Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1971)

University of Texas Medical Branch (Medical School, 1970)

English

Neurosurgery

WJ

Dr. William Tyler Jr

5.0

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 522-5496

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Tennessee College of Medicine (Medical School, 1967)

English

Neurosurgery

CG

Dr. Carter Gerard

4.9

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 524-1869

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Louisville School of Medicine (Medical School)

English

University of Tennessee Medical Center

Parkwest Medical Center

Neurosurgery

SL

Dr. Stephen Lowe

4.9

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 792-1414

Northeast Ohio Medical University (Medical School)

English

University of Tennessee Medical Center

Neurosurgery

JK

Dr. James Killeffer

4.8

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 524-1869

American Board of Neurological Surgery

West Virginia University (Medical School, 1994)

English

University of Tennessee Medical Center

Parkwest Medical Center

Tennova Healthcare North Knoxville Medical Center

Neurosurgery

JR

Dr. Joel Ragland

4.7

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 694-0577

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine (Medical School, 1988)

English

Parkwest Medical Center

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Dr. Christopher Gallati

Dr. Christopher Gallati

4.5

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 524-1869

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry (Residency Hospital)

Mercer University School of Medicine (Medical School)

Westminster College (Undergraduate School)

University Of Rochester Simon School Of Business ()

English

University of Tennessee Medical Center

Tennova Healthcare North Knoxville Medical Center

Blount Memorial Hospital

Neurosurgery

Oncology

Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery

Neurological Skull Base Surgery

Neurological Spine Surgery

Neurological Trauma Surgery

Neurovascular Surgery

Minimally Invasive Neurological Spine Surgery

RB

Dr. Richard Boyer

4.3

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 524-1869

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio Long School of Medicine (Medical School, 1992)

English

University of Tennessee Medical Center

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge

Tennova Healthcare North Knoxville Medical Center

Neurosurgery

WJ

Dr. William Snyder Jr

4.3

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 524-1869

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Indiana State University (Medical School, 1994)

English

University of Tennessee Medical Center

Tennova Healthcare North Knoxville Medical Center

Blount Memorial Hospital

Neurosurgery

JY

Dr. Jonathan York

4.2

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 524-1869

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Swedish Medical Center- Cherry Hill Campus (Fellowship Hospital, 2017)

University of Cincinnati Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 2016)

Wake Forest School of Medicine (Medical School, 2010)

University of Tennessee (Undergraduate School, 2006)

English

University of Tennessee Medical Center

Parkwest Medical Center

Roane Medical Center

Neurosurgery

WR

Dr. William Reid

4.2

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 541-2835

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University Sw (Residency Hospital)

Parkland Memorial Hospital (Internship Hospital)

University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix (Medical School, 1971)

English

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Dr. Jeffrey Albea

Dr. Jeffrey Albea

4.1

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 541-2835

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Vanderbilt University (Medical School, 2005)

English

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

JS

Dr. Jennifer Savage

4.0

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 524-1869

American Board of Neurological Surgery

English

University of Tennessee Medical Center

Neurosurgery

TA

Dr. Todd Abel

3.9

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 524-1869

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Indiana University Medical Center Homecare (Residency Hospital)

English

University of Tennessee Medical Center

Tennova Healthcare North Knoxville Medical Center

Blount Memorial Hospital

Neurosurgery

DH

Dr. David Hauge

3.8

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 694-0577

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Med College Ga (Residency Hospital, 1987)

West Virginia University (Medical School, 1984)

West Virginia University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1984)

English

Parkwest Medical Center

Starr Regional Medical Center Athens

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

JM

Dr. Joshua Miller

3.4

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 331-2835

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Medical School, 2000)

English

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

KS

Dr. Kent Sauter

3.4

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 524-1869

American Board of Neurological Surgery

West Virginia University (Medical School, 1995)

English

University of Tennessee Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Dr. Paul Peterson

Dr. Paul Peterson

3.4

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 541-4321

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University Rochester School Med/Strong Mem Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1991)

Wayne State University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1990)

English

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

Dr. Joel Norman

Dr. Joel Norman

3.3

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 541-2835

American Board of Neurological Surgery

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY / CHANDLER MEDICAL CENTER (Medical School, 2005)

English

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Neurosurgery

SN

Dr. Stephen Natelson

N/A

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 525-2601

American Board of Neurological Surgery

University of Rochester (Medical School, 1997)

English

Neurosurgery

RV

Dr. Roger Vieth

N/A

Knoxville, TN

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(865) 673-5000

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Duke University (Medical School, 1959)

English

Neurosurgery

Finding a Neurosurgeon in Knoxville

Overview of the neurosurgery landscape in Knoxville

Number of practicing neurosurgeons

  • Based on the provided data, there are at least 20 neurosurgeons practicing in Knoxville

Major medical centers and hospitals

  • University of Tennessee Medical Center
  • Parkwest Medical Center
  • Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center
  • Tennova Healthcare North Knoxville Medical Center

Factors to consider when selecting a neurosurgeon

Board certification

  • Many listed neurosurgeons are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery

Patient ratings and reviews

  • Star ratings range from 3.3 to 5.0, with varying numbers of reviews

Hospital affiliations

  • Consider the reputation and location of affiliated hospitals

Educational background

  • Review the medical schools and residency programs attended by the surgeons

Resources for locating neurosurgeons

Online directories and rating platforms

  • Healthgrades.com provides detailed information on neurosurgeons in Knoxville

Hospital websites

  • Check the websites of major Knoxville hospitals for their neurosurgery departments

Referrals from primary care physicians

  • Consult with your primary care doctor for personalized recommendations

Top-Ranked Neurosurgeons in Knoxville

Dr. Stephen Lowe

Education and Certifications

  • Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
  • Board Certifications: Information not available

Hospital Affiliations

  • University of Tennessee Medical Center

Patient Satisfaction

  • Star Rating: 4.9 out of 5
  • Number of Reviews: 26

Contact Information

  • Phone: (843) 792-1414

Dr. Carter Gerard

Education and Certifications

  • Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
  • Board Certified: American Board of Neurological Surgery

Hospital Affiliations

  • University of Tennessee Medical Center
  • Parkwest Medical Center

Patient Satisfaction

  • Star Rating: 4.9 out of 5
  • Number of Reviews: 13

Contact Information

  • Phone: (865) 524-1869

Dr. James Killeffer

Education and Certifications

  • Medical School: West Virginia University (1994)
  • Board Certified: American Board of Neurological Surgery

Hospital Affiliations

  • University of Tennessee Medical Center
  • Parkwest Medical Center
  • Tennova Healthcare North Knoxville Medical Center

Patient Satisfaction

  • Star Rating: 4.8 out of 5
  • Number of Reviews: 59

Contact Information

  • Phone: (865) 524-1869

Additional Considerations for Choosing a Neurosurgeon in Knoxville

Subspecialties within neurosurgery

Importance of matching surgeon expertise to specific conditions

  • Review the neurosurgeon's areas of focus
  • Consider specialists for complex or rare conditions

Examples of subspecialties in Knoxville

  • Dr. Christopher Gallati: Cerebrovascular, Skull Base, Spine, Trauma, and Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Other subspecialties available in Knoxville

Experience and credentials

Board certifications

  • Most top-rated neurosurgeons in Knoxville are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery
  • Importance of board certification in ensuring quality care

Education and training

  • Review educational background of potential surgeons
  • Consider additional fellowships or specialized training

Hospital affiliations

Major neurosurgery centers in Knoxville

  • University of Tennessee Medical Center
  • Parkwest Medical Center
  • Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Importance of hospital quality and resources

  • Advanced equipment and facilities
  • Comprehensive care teams

Patient reviews and ratings

Interpreting online ratings

  • Consider the number of reviews along with the rating
  • Look for patterns in patient feedback

Balancing ratings with other factors

  • Use ratings as one part of the decision-making process
  • Combine with personal consultations and professional recommendations