Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, FAANS, FACS specializes in the treatment of degenerative and traumatic diseases of the spine through minimally invasive techniques, spinal cord and brain injury. He also treats many patients for concussion and its after-effects and educates on its prevention. Dr. Gantwerker is committed to providing newly advanced techniques for the treatment of brain and spine diseases. He is proficient in both minimally-invasive and complex brain and spinal surgeries. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons
Dr. Gantwerker is a Chicago native who attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned his pre-medical education and graduated magna cum laude with honors, majoring in psychology. He received his medical degree at Rush Medical College in Chicago where he focused on peripheral nerve regeneration research. He completed his neurosurgical residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland and studied spinal cord regeneration with stem cells at Case Western School of Medicine. Dr. Gantwerker completed his complex spine fellowship at the world-renowned Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona in 2009.
Dr. Gantwerker has authored several book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles, appeared on television and radio interviews, and has instructed undergraduate, medical students, and residents in various neurosurgical topics and neuroanatomy. Dr. Gantwerker is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Golden Key honor societies, and a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Society (SMISS), the National Association of Spine Specialists (NASS), Los Angeles County Medical Association, and California Association of Neurological Surgeons (CANS), where is serving as Secretary, chairman of the membership committee, member of the long-range planning committee, representative to the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies (CSNS) where he is chair of the medicolegal committee. He is also the specialty delegate to the California Medical Association.
He volunteers his time as a member of doctor advocacy groups and is an active member of the legislative committees. He serves on the Legislative Committee of NASS, as well as the Political Engagement Committee. He also serves as a member of the Neurosurgery PAC. He is currently working with a select group of neurosurgeons on a Community-Based Neurosurgery initiative with the CNS. He is a member of the Private Practice Section of the AMA. Dr. Gantwerker is a frequent featured speaker and interviewee for Becker’s Spine Review and ASC publications, he has been featured over 280 times. He is a frequent podcast guest and loves to banter about medicine, philosophy, and how to be a mensch.
He is a tireless patient and physician advocate both in and out of the clinic. He is a proud husband, father, brother, and son. He is a diehard Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks fan. He also loves bicycling outdoors and loves nearly every genre of music. He also curates a special operating room playlist that is ever-evolving.
