Bernard A. Rawlins, MD

Spine Surgery

About Dr. Rawlins

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 University 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.

Profile Video

Departments

Orthopedic Surgery
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

Patient Stories

Videos

Patient ratings for Dr. Rawlins

Learn more about our patient ratings.

Insurance

Please call our office if you have questions regarding your insurance coverage. If you have out-of-network benefits, then your insurance may reimburse you for a portion of your office visit. We will work with you and your insurance to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Financial assistance may be available for patients in need.

Credentials

Appointments

Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

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

Certification

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
American Board of Spine Surgery

Awards

Castle Connolly Top Doctors in New York Metro Area, 2008-2022
New York Magazine Top Doctors, 2013, 2016, 2019-2022
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

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

State Licensure

Languages

English

For My Patients

Directions to The Pavilion

My office is located at The Pavilion, 541 East 71st Street. 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.

Patient Information

New Pediatric Patient Questionnaire (pdf)

New Patient Information Form (pdf)

Oswestry Disability Index for Back Pain (pdf)

Your Pathway to Recovery: A Patient's Guide to Spine Surgery

HSS Rehabilitation Network

Videos and Animations

Videos

Spine Care Institute at Hospital for Special Surgery

Fox News Profile: Dr. Bernard Rawlins

Spine Animations

Directions and HSS Visitor Information

Directions to HSS

Visitor Information

Publications by Dr. Rawlins

Patient Education

Blog Posts

Selected Journal Articles

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

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

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.

Dr. Rawlins in the News

Book Online