Newsweek Names Barrow Spine Surgeons Among America’s Best
Newsweek has named Juan Uribe, MD, and Jay Turner, MD, PhD, of Barrow Neurological Institute in its 2024 list of “America’s Best Spine Surgeons.”
The media company compiled the list of 150 spine surgeons in partnership with the data firm Statista, Inc., using a combination of Medicare data and state-specific survey results from experts in the field.
“It comes as no surprise that Juan Uribe and Jay Turner were selected by Newsweek as ‘America’s Best Spine Surgeons,’” said Barrow President and CEO Michael T. Lawton, MD. “These two leaders in their field were included in this elite group of 150 surgeons nationwide based on patient outcomes, quality scores, and surveys by their peers.”
Juan Uribe, MD
Dr. Uribe serves as Chief of the Division of Spinal Disorders, Vice Chair of Neurosurgery, and the Volker K.H. Sonntag Chair of Spine Research at Barrow. He is internationally renowned for his contributions to refining and expanding the use of minimally invasive techniques to treat complex spinal conditions. His surgical repertoire includes more than 1,850 minimally invasive XLIF spine procedures, more than 150 minimally invasive thoracic disc surgeries, and cases on every inhabited continent.
Dr. Uribe leads the Sonntag Spine Center at Barrow, which aims to advance the treatment of spinal conditions through collaborative research, trailblazing innovation, and global education. Additionally, he has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and 50 book chapters.
In another recent testament to Dr. Uribe’s esteemed reputation in the spine surgery community, his peers have elected him to serve as President and Chair of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves.
“I am deeply honored and thrilled to receive this award from Newsweek and to be included among this distinguished group of spine surgeons alongside Dr. Turner,” Dr. Uribe said.
Jay Turner, MD, PhD
Dr. Turner treats the full spectrum of neurosurgical spine disorders, from routine degenerative conditions to more complex conditions such as spinal deformities and spinal tumors. He is highly regarded for his expertise in performing complex spinal reconstructions.
Embodying the innovative culture at Barrow, Dr. Turner strives to improve patient outcomes not only through his surgical expertise but also through data-driven research. He founded and serves as director and principal investigator of the Barrow Clinical Outcomes Center, where he and his team systematically collect comprehensive clinical data for analysis and reporting of patient outcomes. The Center’s database lays the foundation for several high-impact studies on improving clinical outcomes, reducing costs, applying new technologies, and improving the delivery of neurological care. Additionally, Dr. Turner has authored more than 150 publications with a focus on clinical outcomes research and spinal biomechanics.
Dr. Turner’s commitment to advancing spine surgery extends beyond his work at the Institute. He serves as an active member of the International Spine Study Group alongside Dr. Uribe, an editorial board member of the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, and an executive committee member of the AANS/CNS Spine Section. He also chairs the Spine Section’s publications committee.
“It is truly an honor to be acknowledged with this award alongside esteemed surgeons like Dr. Uribe,” Dr. Turner said. “This recognition serves as added inspiration to keep pushing boundaries and delivering exceptional care to my patients.”
Excellence in Mind, and Spine
Barrow has long been at the forefront of spinal neurosurgery—from Dr. Volker Sonntag’s revolutionary spinal instrumentation cases in the 1980s and Dr. Curtis Dickman’s pioneering work in thoracoscopic spinal surgery in the 1990s, to the recent advancements in minimally invasive and robotic spine surgeries happening today.
“The secret to our success at Barrow has always been to recruit top talent, allow them to subspecialize, and cultivate high-volume practices, and patients the world over benefit from the expertise of these two spine neurosurgeons,” Dr. Lawton said. “Congratulations, Dr. Uribe and Dr. Turner.”