Dr. McCormick named as one of Castle Connolly’s Top United States and New York Doctors/Neurosurgery for 25 consecutive years.
Paul C. McCormick, MD, MPH
I have dedicated my career to studying and treating conditions that affect the spine. It is a source of great privilege for me to use spinal neurosurgery techniques to relieve pain, restore function, and improve the quality of life for my patients.
MEET
DR. McCORMICK
- Galen Professor of Neurological Surgery at College of Physicians and Surgeons
- Director, Spine Hospital at the Neurological Institute of New York
- Co-Surgeon in Chief, Och/NYP Spine Hospital
Dr. McCormick is the Gallen Professor of Neurological Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is also the Director of The Spine Hospital at The Neurological Institute of New York and an attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/ Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
His clinical and research interests focus exclusively on the evaluation, surgical management, and outcomes assessment of patients with disorders of the spine and spinal cord. He is a world-renowned spinal neurosurgeon and recognized expert in the surgical management of spinal disorders including spinal cord tumors, vascular malformations, herniated cervical and lumbar discs, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, microsurgery, arthroplasty, and spinal stabilization and fusion for traumatic and degenerative spinal instability and deformity.
His clinical and research interests focus exclusively on the evaluation, surgical management, and outcomes assessment of patients with disorders of the spine and spinal cord. He is a world-renowned spinal neurosurgeon and recognized expert in the surgical management of spinal disorders including spinal cord tumors, vascular malformations, herniated cervical and lumbar discs, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, microsurgery, arthroplasty, and spinal stabilization and fusion for traumatic and degenerative spinal instability and deformity.
Spine Expertise
Conditions
Find a comprehensive list of neurological spine conditions with detailed information that includes symptoms, diagnosis strategies, and Dr. McCormick’s treatment options.
Treatments
Here you will find list of treatments for the common conditions including their symptoms, causes and procedures preparation process
Dr. Paul McCormick treats even the most complex cases involving the spine, spinal cord, and spinal nerves. Specific areas of expertise include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal instability needing fusion, trauma, spinal cord tumors, malformations, and other conditions.
Dr. Paul McCormick treats even the most complex cases involving the spine, spinal cord, and spinal nerves. Specific areas of expertise include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal instability needing fusion, trauma, spinal cord tumors, malformations, and other conditions.
Education & Certification
BOARD CERTIFIED
American Board of Neurological Surgery
MEDICAL SCHOOL
College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, M.D.
1982
RESIDENCY TRAINING
Columbia University Neurological Institute of New York
FELLOWSHIP TRAINING
Spinal Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
MASTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
Honors, Awards & Leadership
Academic Excellence Award (First in class), Mailman School of Public Health, 2000
Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Neuropoint Alliance (NPA)
Chairman, AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine
America’s Top Doctors for Cancer
Ivy League Football Association
Award for Professional Achievement
Elsberg Lecture Award Winner 2024
Executive Committee & Vice President, Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
Joint Spine Section Meritorious Service Award, 2009
Director, Vice Chair, American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS)
Top Doctors: New York Metro Area
Meritorious Award – AANS/CNS Joint Spine Section, 2018
Columbia University Board of Visitors – 2015-2021
President & Executive Committee, American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
Castle Connolly’s America’s Top Doctors
25 Consecutive Years
John Jay Award, Columbia College, 2007
Named New York Top Doctor by New York Magazine for the 21st straight year
Dean’s Advisory Council – Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Recent News
Neurosurgery 11/6/25: Use of Expert Panel for Symptomatic Patients with Grade I Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Dr. McCormick participated as both a member of the expert panel as well as a co-author of recently published randomized study on the treatment of grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis. This condition commonly occurs in adult patients and is subject to numerous types...
CNS October 11-15 2025
Dr. McCormick was invited to present his experience on the evaluation and microsurgical management of intramedullary spinal cord tumors. Dr. McCormick described his techniques and illustrated on video the safe and complete microsurgical resection of both an...
HEAR FROM DR. McCORMICK'S PATIENTS
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[Dr. McCormick] was really awesome and generous. He really invests in you... He really cares for each individual’s well being.
Jake Greenberg
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“Dr. McCormick is at a top institution in the country. The respect of that position caught my attention,” says Tom.
Tom Holliday
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“We just started crying,” says Craig. “It was the first non-scary meeting we'd had. [Dr. McCormick] made us feel so much better."
Craig Livoti
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“I thought to myself, ‘If I don’t do something about this, I’m going to be in big trouble.’ ” says Candace
Candace Moose
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“I don’t even have the right words. For the first time, I feel amazing. I have my life back.”
Taylor Joseph
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“I came to get some exercises to keep my back strong. Evan was wonderful, kind and compassionate.”
Sara Gilbert Nadler-Goldstein
It all starts from trust, and that trust comes from confidence, and that confidence comes from knowing your doctor has the experience.