Ashish Patel, MD, a spine and scoliosis surgeon based in Naperville, Illinois, has been named a 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking the first time he has received this prestigious designation. Only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians are selected annually as Castle Connolly Top Doctors for their specialties in their regions, according to the organization.
Dr. Patel serves as Chairman of the Department of Spine Surgery at Duly Health and Care, one of the largest independent, multi-specialty, physician-led medical groups in the United States. With over 15 years of experience in orthopedics and spine surgery, he treats patients with neck, lower back, and spinal deformity issues. He utilizes advanced technologies such as surgical robotics, advanced neuromonitoring, and minimally invasive techniques, including spinal endoscopic procedures, to ensure safe, reproducible outcomes.
His surgical philosophy prioritizes motion preservation, which he achieves by performing disc replacement whenever possible. He is deeply committed to patient education, believing that a well-informed patient is better equipped to participate in shared decision-making. Dr. Patel remains academic in a private practice setting, most recently winning the award for '2025 Best Paper' at the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"This is a top honor, and I deeply appreciate the recognition from my peers," said Dr. Patel. He has also been inspired to reach underserved populations, treating patients in communities as far as Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and Ghana.
Dr. Patel completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he served as Academic/Administrative Chief Resident. He then completed a fellowship in clinical spine surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, where he was a Co-Chief Administrative Fellow. Prior to his formal orthopedic training, Dr. Patel spent three years dedicated to spine research at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases.
Top Doctors are nominated by peer physicians and selected by the physician-led Castle Connolly research team. Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at castleconnolly.com and in a variety of print and online partner publications. Nominations are open to all board-certified MDs, DOs, and DPMs. The Castle Connolly team chooses honorees based on nominee criteria that includes their medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.
