Spine Center Team

At the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Spine Center we work as a multidisciplinary team, with an emphasis on communication and coordination. Our doctors discuss and evaluate each patient’s progress on a weekly basis, and each of our spine specialists offers his or her expertise through this team approach. Each of our team members is skilled in providing the most advanced treatments in his or her area of specialization, with years of training, specialty credentials, and expertise in spine care.

The Spine Center Team

• Jessica Aidlen, MD Chief, Orthopedic Spine Surgery
• Joanne Borg-Stein, MD Chief, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Thomas Cha, MD Orthopedic Spine Surgery 
• Christine Eng, MD Physiatry
• Harold Fogel, MD Orthopedic Spine Surgery
• Mitchell Hardenbrook, MD Orthopedic Spine Surgery
• Louis G. Jenis, MD Orthopedic Spine Surgery
• Dana Kotler, MD Physiatry
• Steven Makovitch, DO Physiatry
• Alec L. Meleger, MD  Director, Interventional Spine Services; Physiatry
• Deirdre Rodericks, MD  Sports Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Daniel Tobert, MD Orthopedic Spine Surgery
• Theresa Williamson, MD  Neurosurgery
• Cara B Layman, PA-C 
• Sarah Krissoff, NP

Anesthesiologists

Anesthesiologists use spinal injections, nerve blocks, acupuncture, and other procedures to diagnose and treat spine pain.

Neurologists

Neurologists evaluate and manage pain, numbness, and weakness that involves the spinal cord or its nerve roots. Learn more about our neurology services

Neurosurgeons

Neurosurgeons perform many surgical procedures relating to spine care, such as spine fusion, treatment of spinal trauma, disc microsurgery, and others. Learn more about our neurosurgery services

Orthopedic spine surgeons

Orthopedic spine surgeons have specialized fellowship training in spine surgery and treat all conditions of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques

Physiatrists

Also known as physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, physiatrists are medical doctors with specialized training in the evaluation and nonsurgical treatment of spinal disorders

Physical therapists 

Physical therapists work with patients to develop and carry out therapeutic exercise programs, joint mobilization and manipulation, and other treatments

We also work collaboratively with other specialists at the hospital, providing a holistic approach to understanding each patient's condition.

• Psychiatrists and psychologists. They may evaluate and treat areas of stress that can cause back pain or make it worse
• Radiologists use MRIs and spine CT scans to help diagnose and treat spinal conditions
• Rheumatologists specialize in managing arthritis, which can cause spinal pain in some cases
• Endocrinologists, nutritionists, specialists in surgical weight management, thoracic surgeons, and vascular surgeons.