Andrew K. Metzger, MD, is a neurosurgeon in the Department of Neurosurgery at Barrow Neurological Institute. He is board certified in neurosurgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Dr. Metzger’s expertise includes the use of minimally invasive spine surgery, cervical artificial disc replacement, and robotic spine surgery to treat degenerative spinal disorders. He also specializes in deep brain stimulation... Read More

David Wilson, MD, is a neurosurgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute. He is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Dr. Wilson’s expertise includes the treatment of cranial tumors using minimally invasive cranial techniques. He also specializes in the treatment of spinal tumors and degenerative spinal disorders, including disc herniation, myelopathy, and stenosis. He is a fellow of the... Read More

Michael Lawton, MD, is the President and CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute and the Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery. He is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Dr. Lawton’s neurosurgical expertise includes cerebrovascular disorders (aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, cavernous malformations, and stroke) and skull base tumors. He has experience in treating more than 4,000 brain aneurysms, 800... Read More

An honors student at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, Kris Smith, MD, went on to graduate first in his class at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine receiving the outstanding student award in neuroscience, basic science research, and psychiatry. He completed a general surgery internship at the Phoenix Integrated Surgical Residency Program at Banner University Medical Center... Read More

F. David Barranco, MD, received his bachelor of arts degree with honors from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He received his doctorate of medicine with highest honors from the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. Afterward, he completed both a general surgery internship and neurosurgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he also... Read More

Jay Turner, MD, PhD, received his BS in biology at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, and doctorate of medicine and PhD in physiology at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. Dr. Turner joined Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix as a neurosurgeon after completing his neurosurgery residency at Barrow. During... Read More

Francisco Ponce, MD, grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and earned his undergraduate degree in physics at Harvard University in Boston. After attending graduate school at Oxford University in the United Kingdom, he went on to complete medical school at the University of Chicago. He completed his residency in neurological surgery at Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health... Read More

Kaith Almefty, MD, received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and his MD from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. He graduated with honors from both universities. Dr. Almefty received several awards in medical school for his academic achievements and his character. Dr. Almefty became a resident at Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity... Read More

Even in this time of uncertainty, Mayo Clinic is a place for hope and healing — and we're delivering the care you need. Mayo Clinic follows carefully designed, rigorously enforced safety precautions for anyone who needs face-to-face care. We're safely treating all patients, both in person and through virtual visits, in adherence with federal and state executive orders and guidance.... Read More

Juan Uribe, MD, is Chief of the Division of Spinal Disorders, Volker K. H. Sonntag Chair of Spine Research, and Vice Chairman of Neurosurgery at Barrow Neurological Institute. He is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He was named President and Chair of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of Spine and the Peripheral Nerves in 2024. Dr.... Read More

Chandan Krishna, M.D., is a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic's campus in, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. His clinical focus and interest includes the Mayo Clinic spine program and the Mayo Clinic Brain Tumor program, as well as endovascular and cerebrovascular diseases; spinal cord and nerve root decompression; spine and spinal cord tumors; spinal reconstruction; instrumentation and fusion; cervical and lumbar degenerative disease; nerve... Read More

Bernard R. Bendok, M.D., is a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic's campus in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona and serves as the chair for the Department of Neurosurgery. Dr. Bendok's clinical focus and interest includes: minimally invasive surgery; brain arteriovenous malformations; brain aneurysms; brain tumors; skull base tumors; meningioma's; cavernomas; moyamoya disease and brain bypass surgery; carotid stenosis, stenting, and endarterectomy; and spinal cord... Read More

Your back is, literally and figuratively speaking, the center of your body. Given this, even the most minor of back pains can impact nearly every aspect of your life. At Barrow Neurological Institute, our spine surgeons and back pain specialists understand how debilitating this type of pain can be. That’s why we aim to give you or your loved one... Read More