Evan F. Joiner, MD, Joins Columbia Neurosurgery Faculty

Columbia Neurosurgery is pleased to welcome Evan F. Joiner, MD, as an Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery and Research Director of the Columbia Center for Spinal Neuromodulation and Recovery.

A fellowship-trained spine surgeon, Dr. Joiner specializes in the surgical treatment of complex conditions affecting the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. His clinical expertise includes degenerative spine disease, spinal deformity, spinal tumors, revision surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, and advanced spinal reconstruction.

Dr. Joiner also brings a growing research program focused on developing new approaches to restore neurological function following spinal cord injury and other conditions affecting the spinal cord.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Evan Joiner back to Columbia as a member of our faculty." Says Dr. E. Sander Connolly, Chair of Neurosurgery. "Having completed his medical education, neurosurgical residency, and advanced fellowship training here at Columbia, Dr. Joiner has distinguished himself through his clinical excellence and dedication to patient care. In addition to his expertise in complex spine surgery, Dr. Joiner is committed to innovative research, pushing the frontiers of treatments for spinal cord injury. He will be a tremendous asset to our department and the patients we serve, and we are excited to see him continue to grow and contribute to Columbia Neurosurgery in his new role.

A Columbia-Trained Spine Surgeon

Dr. Joiner's connection to Columbia spans nearly every stage of his medical training. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University, where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, before completing his neurological surgery residency at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

During residency, Dr. Joiner completed an enfolded spine fellowship under Dean Chou, MD, Chief of the Spine Division and Vice Chair of Neurological Surgery, gaining advanced experience in the treatment of complex spinal conditions. He was also recognized with the Rising Star Award from the Columbia University Academy of Clinical Excellence.

Following residency, Dr. Joiner remained at Columbia for additional fellowship training in adult and pediatric spinal deformity, further developing his expertise in complex spinal reconstruction and the treatment of challenging spinal disorders across the lifespan.

His return to Columbia as a faculty member allows him to build upon that extensive training while contributing to the department's clinical, research, and educational missions.

Advancing Spinal Neuromodulation and Recovery

As Research Director of the Columbia Center for Spinal Neuromodulation and Recovery, Dr. Joiner is helping advance research into how stimulation of the nervous system may promote recovery and restore function following neurological injury.

His research interests include spinal cord injury and neurological recovery, neuromodulation and spinal cord stimulation, neural plasticity, cervical myelopathy, complex spine surgery, and clinical outcomes.

A particular focus of his work is spinal cord stimulation for patients with spinal cord injury and cervical myelopathy. Dr. Joiner and his collaborators are currently conducting a randomized clinical trial investigating spinal cord stimulation as a strategy to improve functional recovery following cervical spinal cord injury.

His research has received support from the National Institutes of Health, the Columbia University Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, and the New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Board.

Dr. Joiner's contributions to spine research have also earned national recognition, including the Fessler Award and Kuntz Scholar Award from the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves.

Combining Complex Spine Care With Research

Dr. Joiner's clinical and research interests converge around a common goal: improving function and quality of life for patients with complex spinal and neurological conditions.

Through his clinical practice, Dr. Joiner provides comprehensive surgical care for patients with complex spine disorders. Through the Columbia Center for Spinal Neuromodulation and Recovery, he will continue investigating emerging approaches that could expand what is possible for patients recovering from spinal cord injury and other disorders of the spine and nervous system.

Columbia Neurosurgery is pleased to welcome Dr. Joiner to the faculty as he begins this next chapter of clinical care, research, and education at Columbia.