Bernard A. Rawlins, MD
Bernard Rawlins, MD, is a board certified orthopedic spine surgeon with a comprehensive 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.
Patient Stories
Appointments
Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
Departments
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
Castle Connolly Top Doctors in New York Metro Area, 2008-2021
New York Magazine Top Doctors, 2013, 2016, 2019-2021
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
Scoliosis Research Society
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Orthopaedic Research Society
North American Spine Society
National Board of Medical Examiners
Languages
English
Insurance Information
Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have questions regarding your insurance coverage. You may have coverage subject to the availability of 'out-of-network' benefits.
Patient ratings for Dr. Rawlins
Industry Relationships
One of the goals of HSS is to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and related disciplines for the benefit of patients. Physicians at HSS may collaborate with outside companies for education, research and medical advances. HSS supports this collaboration in order to foster medical breakthroughs; however HSS also believes that these collaborations must be disclosed.
As part of the disclosure process, this website lists physician collaborations with outside companies. The disclosures are provided by information provided by the physician and other sources and are updated regularly. Further information may be available on individual company websites.
As of November 22, 2019, Dr. Rawlins reported no relationships with healthcare industry.
By disclosing the collaborations of HSS physicians with industry on this website, HSS and its physicians make this information available to their patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest Policy does not permit physicians to collect royalties on products developed by him/her that are used on patients at HSS.
Videos
Executive chef Chris Siversen is pain free after two successful surgeries
Dr. Rawlins in the News
Education
Residency
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Orthopedic Surgery, New York
Fellowship
Certification
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
American Board of Spine Surgery
State Licensure
Patient Education by Dr. Rawlins on HSS.edu
Blog Posts by Dr. Rawlins
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
Directions to The Pavilion
My office is located at The Pavilion, 541 East 71st St. The main entrance to The Pavilion is on the north side of 71st Street underneath the sky bridge that connects the main hospital to the Belaire Building.
Please see directions from other HSS locations:
- From the Main Hospital (535 East 70th St):
Enter the Hospital lobby and take the West elevators to the 2nd Floor. Upon exiting the elevator, turn right and continue down the hallway and over the sky bridge. Once across the sky bridge, you will see a set of elevators on your left. Take the elevator to my office.- From the Belaire Building Main Entrance (525 East 71st St):
Enter the Belaire lobby and take the front elevators to the 2nd Floor. Upon exiting the elevator, turn left and follow the hallway around until you see another set of elevators on your right. Take the elevator to my office.- From the Belaire Building 72nd Street Entrance (524 East 72nd St):
Enter the Belaire building and walk down the stairs. Follow the hallway around, past the first set of elevators on your left. Continue down the hall and past the windows until you see another set of elevators on your right. Take the elevator to my office.
Videos and Animations
Videos
Spine Care Institute at Hospital for Special Surgery
Fox News Profile: Dr. Bernard Rawlins
Spine Animations