Team Members / Albert E. Telfeian

Albert E. Telfeian

MD, PhD

Endoscopic Spine Surgeon | Founding Partner | Innovator in Endoscopic Spine Surgery

"I believe in a spine surgery that heals without fear."

-Dr. T

Practice Philosophy

Dr. Telfeian believes that patients deserve the least invasive, most effective surgical solutions available. Whether in a high-tech operating suite or a remote medical mission, his approach blends innovation, safety, and empathy. His pioneering awake procedures are a testament to his vision of making spine surgery an enjoyable experience.

About

Dr. Albert Telfeian is a board-certified neurosurgeon and a pioneer in endoscopic spine surgery. He is the most published surgeon in the Western hemisphere in the field of endoscopic spine surgery and internationally recognized for performing the world’s first awake endoscopic spine tumor surgery.Dr. Telfeian is responsible for countless advances in the field of minimally invasive spine surgery.

Dr. Telfeian received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and his M.D. and Ph.D. Degrees from the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University. He completed his neurosurgery training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and his spine fellowship in Switzerland at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Vaudois. Dr. Telfeian was an Assistant Professor at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and a Full Professor, Vice Chairman and Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Brown University prior to founding the Endoscopic Spine Institute of New York. Dr. Telfeian currently serves on the clinical faculty in the Neurosurgery Department at Columbia Presbyterian.

Dr. Telfeian is best known for his groundbreaking work in awake endoscopic surgery and for expanding access to ultra-minimally invasive procedures globally.

Clinical Expertise

Board-certified neurosurgeon with expertise in both pediatric and adult spine surgery.

Performs awake endoscopic lumbar procedures, a field he helped pioneer globally.

Special clinical focus on lumbar foraminal stenosis, and revision spine surgery through endoscopic techniques.

Among the first in the world to perform multiple various complex endoscopic spine procedures

Scholarly Activity & Research Leadership

Over 200 peer-reviewed publications in neurosurgery and spine surgery, most focusing on innovations in minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery.

Co-author of numerous textbook chapters, including contributions to leading surgical reference works.

He serves at Deputy Editor for the International Journal of Spine Surgery, the Journal of Spine Surgery, and Pain Physician.

Principal investigator and research collaborator in numerous studies on minimally invasive spinal surgery, surgical education, and intraoperative navigation.

Dr. Telfeian is a member of the American Association of Neurologic Surgeons, the Congress of Neurologic Surgeon, the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, and the North American Spine Society.

International Speaking & Teaching

Invited faculty at over 200 international and national conferences, including the AANS, CNS, and WFNS.

Leader of live surgical workshops and cadaver labs for endoscopic spine techniques in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Invited Grand Rounds speaker at Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Cornell, and most of the most prestigious international universities in the world.

Innovation & Thought Leadership

Known worldwide for developing and popularizing awake endoscopic spine surgery.

Co-developer of new protocols for outpatient awake spinal procedures, transforming traditional inpatient care models.

Continually innovates minimally invasive techniques, optimizing outcomes while minimizing recovery times.

Leadership roles in international collaborative spine efforts and neurosurgical mission initiatives.

Public Trust & Recognition

Featured in global media and academic circles for milestone procedures and humanitarian spine surgery efforts.

Recognized by peers and patients alike for his compassionate, educational approach, particularly with patients and families.

Honored with multiple teaching and service awards during his academic and clinical tenure.

Leads charitable surgical missions, offering complex spine care to underserved populations across continents.

Dr. Telfeian is the most published surgeon in the field of endoscopic spine surgery in the Western Hemisphere.

He was awarded the Parvis Kambin Award by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Parvis Kambin Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Telfeian has been a Castle Connelly Top Doctor since 2013 in addition to being named “Best Doctor” by U.S. News & World Report and “15 Leaders in Neurosurgery” by Newsweek Magazine.

Dr. Telfeian’s academic work is so groundbreaking that it has been featured twice on the cover of the Journal of Neurosurgery.

Dr. Telfeian is ranked in the Top 10 in the world by Expertscape for his expertise on Lumbar radiculopathy, Intervertebral disc displacement, and Diskectomy.