Memorial Division of Neurosurgery
1150 N 35th Avenue
Suite 300
Hollywood, FL 33021
954-989-0454
About Me
I am a neurosurgeon at Memorial Neuroscience Institute where I treat patients with head trauma, and cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine deformities. I also specialize in minimally invasive spine surgery.
I became interested in medicine while taking a neurobiology class in college, when we learned about pioneering neurosurgeons. I was inspired by their ability to fix complex issues with the human nervous system and the impact those changes can have on peoples' lives. During my medical training, I had the privilege of working with two neurosurgeons who are pioneering new techniques today: Christopher Shaffrey, who is internationally known for his surgical spine deformity techniques, and Juan Uribe, who is nationally known for performing minimally invasive spine surgery. I utilize the skills I learned from both of these skilled surgeons to maintain or reestablish the natural shape and harmony of my patients' spines.
I love many aspects of my job, but what I love most is having the ability to ease peoples' pain and help them increase their functional abilities. When I see a patient standing up straight after surgery, I know I have improved their life and wellbeing. I have been a neurosurgeon in South Florida since 2012. Before becoming a doctor, I was a professional guitar player and avid musician.
Education
Education
University Of Texas San Antonio, 2003
Internships
Rush University Medical Center, 2004, Surgery
Residency
Tulane University School Of Medicine, 2007, Neurosurgery
University Of South Florida, 2010, Neurosurgery
Fellowships
University Of South Florida, 2011, Neurosurgery
University Of Virginia Medical Center, 2011, Neurosurgery
Certifications
American Board of Neurological Surgery-Neurological Surgery
Awards, Achievements, and More
Publications
Presentations
- “Neurosurgery: An Overview,” Tulane University Medical School. New Orleans, LA, October 2006
- “Steroids and Spinal Cord Injury: A Review,” Louisiana State University Health Science Center Department of Trauma Grand Rounds. New Orleans, LA, December 2006
- “Psychosurgery,” University of South Florida Department of Neurosurgery Grand Rounds. Tampa, FL, August, 2008
- “Subsidence of PEEK lumbar interbody grafts placed via a minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach,” 4thAnnual Society Of Lateral Access Surgeons Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, April 1, 2011
- “Anterolateral Plating in the Minimally-Invasive Extreme Lateral Interbody FusionTechnique,”4th Annual Society Of Lateral Access Surgeons Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, April 1, 2011
- “Spine Navigation Surgery: Past, Present,...and Future?” University of Virginia Department of Neurosurgery Grand Rounds. Charlottesville, VA, December 21, 2011
- “Adult Degenerative Scoliosis,” Broward Health North Spine Lecture Series. Fort Lauderdale, FL, February 11, 2013
- “Traumatic Brain Injury: A Neurosurgeon’s Perspective,” Healthsouth Sunrise Rehab Hospital Health Fair. Sunrise, FL. March 22, 2013
- “Spine Surgery in the 21st Century,” Broward Health North Chamber of Commerce meeting. Fort Lauderdale, FL. July 18, 2013
- Expert Panel: “Treatment Options for Joint, Muscle & Back Pain,” NBC 6 South Florida Renew You Health Expo. Fort Lauderdale, FL, October 13, 2013
- “Intracranial Pressure Monitoring,” Broward Health North Department of Trauma Surgery Grand Rounds. Fort Lauderdale, FL. December 12, 2013
- “Interesting Neurotrauma Cases: Spine” Broward Health North Department of Trauma Surgery Grand Rounds. Fort Lauderdale, FL. May 8, 2014
- “Management of Spinal Cord Injury in the Trauma Patient” Broward Health North Department of Trauma Surgery Grand Rounds. Fort Lauderdale, FL. November 18, 2015
- “Surgical Management of Stroke” Westside Regional Medical Center Annual Stroke Symposium. Fort Lauderdale, FL. May 13, 2016
Presentation Abstracts
- Minimally Invasive Retroperitoneal Thoracic Corpectomy for Spinal
Metastasis: Case Report. Presented at the Poster Session of the 60th Annual Meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. San Francisco, CA. October 16-21, 2010 Cardona RF, Burkett C, Baaj AA, Vale FL, Smith DA, Uribe JS - Use of Titanium Expandable Vertebral Cages in Cervical Corpectomy: a case series. Presented at the Poster Session of the 27th Annual Meeting of the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves. Phoenix, AZ. March 9, 2011. Burkett CJ, Uribe JS
- Use of three-dimensional computed tomography and image guidance during occipital condyle screw placement and occipitocervical instrumentation: A Technical Note. Presented at the Poster Session of the 27th Annual Meeting of the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves. Phoenix, AZ. March 9, 2011. Burkett CJ, Le TV, Ramos E, Uribe JS
Subsidence of PEEK lumbar interbody grafts placed via a minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach. Presented at the 4thAnnual Society Of Lateral Access Surgeons Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. March 31-April 2, 2011. Burkett CJ, Murray G, Dakwar E, Baaj AA, Vale F, Smith DA, Uribe JS - Complications of the Minimally-Invasive Lateral Retropleural Thoracic Approach. Presented at the 4th Annual Society Of Lateral Access Surgeons Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. March 31-April 2, 2011. Baaj AA, Burkett CJ, Dakwar E, Murray G, Ramos E, Greenberg MS, Uribe JS
- The anatomic relationship of the diaphragm to the thoracolumbar junction during the minimally invasive lateral approach. Presented at the 4th Annual Society Of Lateral Access Surgeons Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. March 31-April 2, 2011. Dakwar E, Burkett CJ, Baaj AA, Murray G, Uribe JS
- Safety of revision surgery using the same surgical corridor in the minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach. Presented at the 4th Annual Society Of Lateral Access Surgeons Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. March 31 -April 2, 2011. Dakwar E, Burkett CJ, Baaj AA, Smith DA, Uribe JS
- L4/5 XLIF. Is there a safe zone? Presented at the 4th Annual Society Of Lateral Access Surgeons Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. March 31-April 2, 2011. Dakwar E, Burkett CJ, Baaj AA, Murray G, Uribe JS
- Outcomes in Magerl types B and C spine fractures treated by mini-open anterolateral corpectomy and plating without supplemental posterior fixation. Presented at the 4th Annual Society Of Lateral Access Surgeons Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. March 31-April 2, 2011. Dakwar E, Burkett CJ, Baaj AA, Smith DA, Uribe JS
- Anterolateral Plating in the Minimally-Invasive Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion Technique. Presented at the 4thAnnual Society Of Lateral Access Surgeons Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. March 31-April 2, 2011. Baaj AA, Dakwar E, Burkett CJ, Murray G, Smith DA, Vale FL, Uribe JS
- Subsidence of PEEK lumbar interbody grafts placed via a minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach. Presented at the 18th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques. Copenhagen, Denmark. July 13-16, 2011. Burkett CJ, Murray G, Dakwar E, Baaj AA, Vale F, Smith DA, Uribe JS
- The anatomic relationship of the diaphragm to the thoracolumbar junction during the minimally invasive lateral approach. Presented at the 18th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques. Copenhagen, Denmark. July 13-16, 2011. Dakwar E, Burkett CJ, Baaj AA, Murray G, Uribe JS
- L4/5 XLIF. Is there a safe zone? Presented at the 18th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques. Copenhagen, Denmark. July 13-16, 2011. Dakwar E, Burkett CJ, Baaj AA, Murray G, Uribe JS
- Anterolateral Plating in the Minimally-Invasive Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion Technique. Presented at the 18th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques. Copenhagen, Denmark. July 13-16, 2011. Baaj AA, Dakwar E, Burkett CJ, Murray G, Smith DA, Vale FL, Uribe
Awards
- Best Research Abstract
The anatomic relationship of the diaphragm to the thoracolumbar junction during the minimally invasive lateral approach. 4th Annual Society Of Lateral Access Surgeons Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. April 2, 2011. Dakwar E, Burkett CJ, Baaj AA, Murray G, Uribe JS