Deb Bhowmick, MD

Neurosurgeons at UNC NeurosurgeryAppointments:

New Patients/Referrals: (919) 445-2410
Returns/Follow-up Appointments: (984) 974-4210

Dr. Deb A. Bhowmick is a neurosurgeon specializing in complex spinal surgery. He is an Associate Professor and Section Chief of Spinal Neurosurgery in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He completed a fellowship in spinal surgery at the Cleveland Clinic under the direction of Dr. Edward Benzel and Dr. Gordon Bell. His academic interests include treatment of spinal tumors, spinal trauma, rheumatologic diseases of the spine, complex spinal deformities, and minimally invasive treatment of spinal degenerative conditions including herniated disks, spinal spondylolisthesis and stenosis.

Titles

Associate Professor; Section Chief Spinal Neurosurgery

Medical Director of UNC Hospitals Spine Center

About Me

My personal philosophy is to offer the highest quality of surgical care for my patients to improve or prevent worsening of physical function. At all times, I would prefer non-surgical management of spinal conditions over more invasive measures. However, I believe my team of spinal specialists, advanced equipment, and expertise in innovative surgical techniques allows me to perform higher risk surgeries with significant safety and precision. You can expect me to be honest, straightforward, and willing to spend time to answer questions regarding your condition. I will do my best to offer a surgical opinion that is clear and is supported by the latest medical evidence.

Conditions Treated

Basilar invagination, os odontoideum, chronic odontoid fractures, pars fractures, cervicothoracic kyphosis, adult degenerative kyphosis and scoliosis, Iatrogenic flat-back, metastatic tumors of the spine, peripheral nerve tumors and injuries.

Specialties

Specializes in complex spinal surgery with a focus on pathology of the craniocervical junction and adult spinal deformities

Academic Interests

  • Endoscopic treatment of craniocervical junction abnormalities and atlantoaxial (C1-2) instability
  • Minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of spinal deformities
  • Minimally invasive treatment of spinal tumors
  • Spinal trauma and spinal cord injury
  • Adult manifestations of congenital spinal conditions

Education and Training

  • Fellowship — Spinal Neurosurgery; Cleveland Clinic, 2011-2012
  • Residency — Neurological Surgery; University of Pennsylvania, 2004-2011
  • Internship — General Surgery; University of Pennsylvania, 2004-2005
  • Clinical Research Fellowship — National Institutes of Health (NINDS), 2002-2003
  • M.D. — Medicine; Baylor College of Medicine, 1999-2004
  • B.A. — Biochemistry; Rice University, 1995-1999

Board Certifications

Neurological Surgery

Awards and Committees

  • Congress of Neurological Surgeons Spinal Research Fellowship Award, 2009-2010
  • Clinical Research Training Fellow, National Institutes of Health, NINDS 2002-2003
  • North Carolina Spine Society – Current President: 2017-2018
    Vice President: 2015-2016; Secretary: 2014-2015
  • UNC Neurosurgery Trauma Liaison
  • Member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, AO Spine North America, and North American Spine Society
  • Ad Hoc Reviewer for World Neurosurgery and Global Spine Journal

Clinical examples and UNC articles

Relevant Publications