Spine Surgeon Dr. Ashish Patel Recognized as 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor for Innovative Patient Care

The medical community has recognized Dr. Ashish Patel as a 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, placing him among an elite group representing only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians who achieve this annual designation for their specialties within their regions. This distinction carries significant implications for patient care standards and medical innovation in spinal treatment.

As Chairman of the Department of Spine Surgery at Duly Health and Care, one of the nation's largest independent, multi-specialty, physician-led medical groups, Dr. Patel brings over 15 years of orthopedic and spine surgery experience to his practice. His clinical focus on treating neck, lower back, and spinal deformity issues utilizes advanced technologies including surgical robotics, advanced neuromonitoring, and minimally invasive techniques such as spinal endoscopic procedures. This technological integration represents the evolving standard of care in spinal surgery.

Dr. Patel's surgical philosophy emphasizes motion preservation through disc replacement whenever possible, reflecting a broader shift toward treatments that maintain patient mobility and quality of life. His commitment to patient education underscores the importance of shared decision-making in healthcare, empowering patients to actively participate in their treatment plans. This approach was further validated when he received the '2025 Best Paper' award at the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada, recognizing his contributions to advancing surgical techniques.

The Castle Connolly selection process involves peer nominations and rigorous evaluation by a physician-led research team, with physicians chosen based on medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. The integrity of this recognition is maintained by prohibiting physicians from paying for selection. Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at https://www.castleconnolly.com and in various print and online partner publications, providing valuable resources for patients seeking qualified medical specialists.

Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Patel's work extends to global health initiatives, where he provides care to underserved populations in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and Ghana. This international outreach demonstrates how medical expertise can transcend geographical boundaries to address healthcare disparities. His educational background includes an orthopedic surgery residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he served as Academic/Administrative Chief Resident, followed by a clinical spine surgery fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York as Co-Chief Administrative Fellow.

Dr. Patel's three years of spine research at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases prior to his formal orthopedic training further illustrates the importance of research foundations in clinical excellence. His expression of appreciation for peer acknowledgment highlights how professional recognition serves as validation of clinical expertise and commitment to advancing spinal surgery through innovative techniques and comprehensive patient care. This recognition matters because it sets standards for medical excellence while encouraging continued innovation in patient-centered spinal treatments that benefit diverse populations worldwide.