Dr. Ashish Patel has been selected as a 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking his first year receiving this distinguished honor. The recognition places him among an elite group of physicians, as only 7 percent of the nation's licensed doctors achieve this designation annually for their specialties within their regions. As a spine and scoliosis surgeon with over 15 years of experience in orthopedics and spine surgery, Dr. Patel serves as Chairman of the Department of Spine Surgery at Duly Health and Care, one of the nation's largest independent, multi-specialty, physician-led medical groups.
His clinical practice focuses on treating patients with neck, lower back, and spinal deformity issues using advanced technologies including surgical robotics, advanced neuromonitoring, and minimally invasive techniques such as spinal endoscopic procedures. Dr. Patel's surgical approach emphasizes motion preservation, which he achieves by performing disc replacement whenever possible. This philosophy aligns with his commitment to patient education, believing that well-informed patients are better equipped to participate in shared decision-making about their care. His dedication to advancing spinal surgery techniques was recently recognized when he won the award for '2025 Best Paper' at the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Castle Connolly selection process involves peer nominations and rigorous evaluation by the physician-led research team. Top Doctors are chosen based on criteria including medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Physicians cannot pay to be selected, ensuring the integrity of the recognition process. Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at https://www.castleconnolly.com and in various print and online partner publications.
Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Patel has demonstrated commitment to global health initiatives, providing care to underserved populations in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and Ghana. His educational background includes an orthopedic surgery residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he served as Academic/Administrative Chief Resident, followed by a clinical spine surgery fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, where he was a Co-Chief Administrative Fellow. Prior to his formal orthopedic training, Dr. Patel dedicated three years to spine research at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases.
Dr. Patel expressed appreciation for the recognition, stating that peer acknowledgment represents a significant professional honor. The Castle Connolly Top Doctor designation serves as validation of his clinical expertise and commitment to advancing spinal surgery through innovative techniques and comprehensive patient care. This recognition matters because it highlights the importance of specialized expertise in spinal surgery, particularly as back and neck problems affect millions of Americans annually. The implications of this announcement extend to patient confidence in selecting qualified specialists, the promotion of minimally invasive surgical approaches that reduce recovery times, and the validation of physician-led recognition systems that maintain high standards through peer review rather than financial influence.
