NEUROSURGICAL ASSOCIATES - Key Persons
Carter Gerard, MD, received his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He completed his residency in neurological surgery at Rush University in Chicago. Gerard completed two fellowships in stereotactic, functional, and epilepsy neurosurgery, one under the instruction of Ryder Gwinn MD at Swedish Neuroscience Institute (Seattle) and the other with Prof. Steven Gill at Southmead Hospital-National Health Service(University of Bristol England). He is a board-certified neurosurgeon and a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Section on Stereotactic and Functional Surgery(ASSFN) in addition to the AANS/CNS Section of Pain. Gerard's clinical interests include deep brain stimulation, Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, microvascular decompression, trigeminal neuralgia, temporal lobectomy, vagal nerve stimulation, epilepsy, neuro-oncology, cervical myelopathy, hydrocephalus, and general neurosurgery.
Job Titles:
- Certified Neurological Surgeon
Dr. Christopher Gallati is a board-certified neurological surgeon who graduated from Mercer University School of Medicine and completed his residency in neurosurgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and The Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He joined Neurosurgical Associates in August of 2015.
Dr. Alexander Golovlev holds a dual board certification in both Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine from the American Board of Anesthesiology. He understands that a precise diagnosis and an individualized treatment approach is the key to a successful outcome and the resolution of pain. To achieve this end, Dr. Golovlev utilizes a wide range of treatment options including epidural steroid injections, targeted nerve blocks and ablations, and advanced therapies such as spinal cord stimulation and vertebral augmentation. His interests include central and peripheral neuromodulation, advanced interventional therapies for back and peripheral pain, and craniofacial pain syndromes.
An Oak Ridge native, Dr. Golovlev completed his undergraduate education at Emory University in Atlanta, his doctorate of medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and his residency training in Anesthesiology at the Medical University of South Carolina. After practicing general anesthesiologist in Savannah, Georgia, Dr. Golovlev went on to complete his fellowship training in Pain Medicine at Stanford University where he was elected the Chief Fellow.
Job Titles:
- Certified Anesthesiologist
Dr. James S. Wike is a board-certified anesthesiologist who is also board certified by the
American Board of Pain Medicine. In addition to these certifications, he is a member of the
Dr. Wike completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Jonathan York is a board-eligible neurosurgeon with fellowship training in minimally invasive and complex spinal deformity surgery. Dr. York was born and raised in Crossville, TN. After graduating from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville Honors Program Summa Cum Laude, Dr. York attended Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He completed his neurosurgical training at the University of Cincinnati / Mayfield Clinic. Dr. York completed a complex spine fellowship at St. Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA. Dr. York is one of the few fellowship-trained spinal surgeons with dual neurosurgery and orthopedic backgrounds.
Dr. Leonardo R. Rodriguez-Cruz is originally from New York City. Graduated from both New York Ivy League institutions he completed his neurosurgical training at a third, the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Richard P. Boyer is a board-certified neurosurgeon with a special interest in spine surgery and deep brain stimulation. He has been published on these subjects in various publications. Dr. Boyer is associated with the University of Tennessee Medical Center, and East Tennessee Children's Hospital. He is also a clinical instructor at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine.
Dr. Stephen Lowe is a board-eligible neurosurgeon who joined Neurosurgical Associates in 2021. He attended Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) in 2013, where he graduated 5th in his class and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He subsequently completed his neurosurgical residency at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), where he served a year as chief resident. He subsequently completed specialized fellowship training in Neurosurgical Oncology at the H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. During his training, Dr. Lowe has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and textbook chapters.
Dr. Lowe's clinical interests include the entire spectrum of neurosurgical oncology, including primary brain tumors, metastatic disease, pituitary tumors, acoustic neuromas, skull base surgery, and stereotactic radiosurgery, including Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Dr. Lowe also enjoys a wide range of spine surgery, including spinal oncology, and peripheral nerve surgery. He is a member of the AANS/CNS joint section on brain tumors.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Lowe is the proud son of Robert and Christine Lowe. He moved to Knoxville with his fiancee Caitlin, a Knoxville native, and looks forward to being a productive member of the community for years to come.
Dr. Todd B. Abel joined our team in 2005 after serving three years as a neurosurgeon in the US Air Force. He is a board-certified neurosurgeon and associated with the University of Tennessee Medical Center and East Tennessee Children's Hospital. He is also a clinical instructor at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine.
Dr. William E. Snyder is a board-certified neurosurgeon with a special interest in spine surgery, brain tumors, aneurysms, and trauma. He earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the Indiana University Hospital. He is an assistant professor with the Graduate School of Medicine.
For the past 12 years, Dr. Snyder has served as faculty for the Goodman Neurosurgery Oral Board Preparation Course. This is a highly interactive course that simulates the neurosurgery board examination given by the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS). It is the premier neurosurgical oral board review course with over 90 percent of candidates attending at least once prior to taking the exam.
Dr. Snyder is a member of several professional organizations such as the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgery, and the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. James Killeffer has practiced neurosurgery in Knoxville since 1997. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and is a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. He grew up in Knoxville and graduated from the University of Tennessee with Honors in 1987. He completed medical school at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, completed a general surgery internship at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, and completed his neurosurgical residency at West Virginia University, where he joined their faculty as an Instructor in Neurosurgery. He returned to Knoxville to join his father in practice at University Neurosurgery, PC.
Job Titles:
- Certified Neurological Surgeon
Dr. Jennifer Gentry Savage is a board-certified neurological surgeon and is fellowship-trained in pediatric neurosurgery. She has joined Neurosurgical Associates in September 2014. Currently, Dr. Savage is associated with East Tennessee Children's Hospital, University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Dr. Joel Ragland has a conservative practice style and understands many patients do not need surgery to successfully treat their condition. He strives to educate his patients and discusses all treatment options. While surgery is appropriate, he utilizes the latest technology and information available to give his patients the best opportunity for recovery.
Dr. Kent Sauter joined University Neurosurgery in 2004. He is a native of Mobile, Alabama, and graduated from the University of South Alabama in 1980. He completed medical school at the University of South Alabama in 1989 where he served as President of AΩA Honor Medical Society. Dr. Sauter subsequently completed his residency in Neurological Surgery in 1995 at the West Virginia University Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia.