Bernard A. Rawlins, MD

Bernard Rawlins, MD, is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon with a comprehensive spine practice that spans the entire gamut of spinal disorders from cervical (neck) spine to scoliosis in both the adult and pediatric population. He graduated from the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science with both bachelors and masters degrees in applied mechanics. He received his doctor of medicine degree from Cornell University Medical School, and then completed his orthopaedic residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. He received specialized fellowship training in spine surgery at the world renowned Minnesota Spine Center.

His research interests include spine biomechanics, gene-mediated spine fusion, and innovative surgical techniques. Dr. Rawlins is an active member of the leading national societies including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Cervical Spine Research Society, Scoliosis Research Society, American Board of Spine Surgery, and the Orthopaedic Research Society.

Dr. Rawlins has published and lectured extensively on spine surgery. He is an active participant in Cornell University Medical School and provides important educational instruction to fellows, residents, and medical students. He regularly donates his time in the teaching and education of spine surgery in West Africa.

Dr. Rawlins has an interest in sports related injuries and currently serves as the spine consultant for the New York Knicks basketball team, the New York Mets baseball team, and the Iona College Athletics Department.

With a background in engineering in addition to his medical degree, Dr. Rawlins is highly knowledgeable of the latest advances in surgical implants and techniques. His expertise has led to the development of numerous patents used in complex spine surgery.

Appointments

Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College

Specialty

Orthopedic Surgery

Subspecialty

Scoliosis
Spine

Special Expertise

Adult and pediatric Scoliosis and Kyphosis surgery including multiplanar revision deformity surgery
Minimally invasive spine surgery techniques
Cervical spine trauma spondylosis and disc surgery
Athletic spine injuries
Spinal fractures
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolysis
Cervical (neck) herniations
Lumbar (low back) herniations
Spinal Stenosis

Awards

Nancy Kane Bischoff Mentor Award - Hospital for Special Surgery
New Investigation Award - Orthopaedic Research Society
Basic Science Award - Cervical Spine Research Society Paper
Hibbs Basic Science Award - Scoliosis Research Society Paper
Louis A. Goldstein Award - Scoliosis Research Society Poster
Young Investigator Award - Orthopaedic Research Society Paper
Orren D. Baab Award for Orthopaedic Excellence - Columbia University
Honor Society - Columbia University School of Engineering

Affiliations

Cervical Spine Research Society
Scoliosis Research Society
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons   
Orthopaedic Research Society 
North American Spine Society
National Board of Medical Examiners

Specialized Centers

• Spine Care Institute
  

Education

MD, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York

Residency

St Luke's - Roosevelt Hospital, General Surgery, New York
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Orthopedic Surgery, New York

Fellowship

Minnesota Spine Center, Spine Surgery, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Certification

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
American Board of Spine Surgery

State Licensure

New York, New Jersey, Connecticut  

Bernard A. Rawlins, MD has contributed to the following articles on HSS.edu:

Selected Publications

Zhu W, Boachie-Adjei O, Rawlins BA, Frenkel B, Boskey AL, Ivashkiv LB, Blobel CP: A Novel Regulatory Role of Stromal-derived Factor-1 Signaling in Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal C2C12 Cells. J. Biol. Chem. 282(26):18676-18685, 2007.

Peelle MW, Rawlins BA, Frelinghuysen P: A Novel Source of Cancellous Autograft for ACDF Surgery: The Manubrium. J Spinal Disord Tech. 20:36-41, 2007.

Hidaka C, Goshi K, Rawlins BA, Boachie-Adjei, Crystal RG: Enhancement of Spine Fusion Using Combined Gene Therapy and Tissue Engineering BMP-7-expressing Bone Marrow Cells and Allograft Bone. Spine. 28(18): p2049-2057, 2003.

Gu WY, Mao XG, Rawlins BA, Iatrides JC, Foster RJ, Sun DN, Weidenbaum M, Mow VC: Streaming Potential of Human Lumbar Annulus Fibrosus is Anisotropic and Affected by Disc Degeneration. J Biomechanics. 32:1177-1182, 1999.

Rawlins BA, Winter RB, Lonstein JE, Denis F, Kubic PT, Wheeler WB, Ozolins AL:  Reconstructive Spine Surgery in Pediatric Patients with Major Loss in Vital Capacity. J.  Ped Ortho. 16: 284-292, 1996.

For more publications, please see the PubMed listing.  

Research Description

Dr. Rawlins performs research on the mechanics of the intervertebral disc and the design of instrumentation used for spine surgery. He has written numerous scientific articles and chapters on spine surgery.

Clinical Trials

• Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells