Neurosurgeons in NY/NJ region

Very terrible diagnosis for my husband.  What is the best group of neurosurgeons in the area for spinal tumor, likely malignant?  I have already contacted NY Presbyterian/Weill Cornell.  Are there other recommendations? 

not JFK (edison).  I had a traumatic brain injury..couldn't even see straight and limited control of my arms and legs, doc said I could drive.  doc insisted I was faking, when I couldn't pass short term memory test, he gave me clues to use long term memory (the word was chicago, when I couldn't come up with it, he said its a windy city in Illinois ..i knew from long term memory that was chicago...but he said I passed the short term memory test....also know someone whose husband went there for a brain tumor, the care was poor...doc dismissive and uncaring....administrative staff had attitudes.  for example, another hospital was faxing med records,person sitting at desk insisted it was not her job to take them out of the fax machine and hand them to the doc.

In a Facebook post over a year ago someone recommended Michael Smith at NYU Langone and another reco'd Paul McCormick at Columbia. I don't have experience with either. It's difficult - people will say such-and-such is "terrific" or "wonderful," but that's kind of subjective. But generally I think NYP-Columbia and NYU, as well as NYP-Cornell and Mount Sinai Hospital (the one on Fifth Ave. on UES) are all highly regarded. Best wishes.

https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1003979261/michael-l-smith  

https://www.columbiaspine.org/doctor/paul-c-mccormick/

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/cameron-brennan

Brian Beyerl or anyone in this group.  Cannot say enough about them. 

FYI, the neuro hospital in this area is Overlook. 

Atlantic Neurosurgeons

My best to you. 

rhw said:
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/cameron-brennan

 Yes, Dr. Brennan ^^ or Dr. Viviane Tabar. Both at Sloan-Kettering. It is worth it to go there. 

Here's a list of the surgeons in neuro-oncology at MSKCC. Call Monday. They will ask you to send tissue slides and possibly images. After they review them, they will call you to set up appointment, usually very quickly.

https://www.mskcc.org/doctor?department%5B0%5D=3517

Beth2, I have no advice for you; am just offering my sympathy. Your situation sounds terrifying. May you find good medical care for your husband, and peace in your lives.

I hope for the best for you and your spouse. My kids are recently flown and I have less to do these days, if I can ever help you in any way. TRULY contact me if I can be of service.

Jack Knightly affiliated with Morristown and Overlook. http://www.ansdocs.com/dr_knightly.php

Jack Knightly is wonderful, as is his colleague Adam Hecht. Both are at the Atlantic Neuroscience Center based at Overlook, and both have excellent reputations both as surgeons and as human beings.

I would t mess around at Overlook with what you’ve described. You want the best- the NYC recommendations are good. If as bad as you think, consider travel to MD Anderson as well

Dear all,

Thank you all for the good wishes and recommendations.  We've also looked into Weill Cornell Neuro-surgery.  Any thoughts?  I know they overlap with MSKCC.

Beth2 said:
Dear all,
Thank you all for the good wishes and recommendations.  We've also looked into Weill Cornell Neuro-surgery.  Any thoughts?  I know they overlap with MSKCC.

 Go to a cancer center. All they do in cancer. MSKCC (NY). MD Anderson (Houston). Dana Farber (Boston). the neuro-oncology department at MSKCC is unsurpassed. 

Was diagnosed with a Brain Tumor in the winter of '16.  I initially met with about 5 surgeons at the area hospitals.  I interviewed & was really impressed by Paul Saphier from Atlantic.  He came highly recommended from both my neurologists.  But that practice is completely out of network for every insurer, and mine would not budge on coverage.

After an extensive search we found Columbia Neurosurgeons out of North Jersey.  They are affiliated with the hospital/practice in NY.  They operate out of a number of hospitals.  The surgeons that performed my surgery were WIlliam Cobb, and Anthony D'Ambrosio.  They did an excellent job of rescission, and I have minimal scarring.

BTW, I was restricted to NJ surgeons by my insurer which guided our search.

Best of Luck!