Camilo Molina, MD, FAANS

Camilo Molina, MD, FAANS

Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Orthopedic Surgery

Director, Spinal Deformity and Spinal Oncology

Co-Director, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement

Co-Director, Complex Spine Fellowship

Deputy Director of Spine Innovation, Center for Innovation in Neuroscience and Technology

Castle Connolly Top Doctor

National Leader in Complex Spine Surgery, Spinal Tumors, and Spinal Deformity

Specialties

  • Cervical Spine Disorders
    • Cervical myelopathy, radiculopathy, spinal cord compression, cervical deformity and instability
  • Complex Thoracic Disc Herniations
  • Metastatic Spinal Tumors
  • Primary Spinal Tumors
    • Chordoma, sarcoma, schwannoma, neurofibroma, meningioma, ependymoma
  • Spinal Deformity
    • Adult scoliosis, flatback, kyphosis, sagittal imbalance, spondylolisthesis, and complex revision spine surgery

Call 314-362-3577 for Patient Appointments

I believe that complex spinal conditions deserve exceedingly thoughtful and individualized care. My goal is always the same — to optimize spinal alignment, protect neurological function, successfully achieve a tumor resection when necessary, and most importantly help patients return to the life they love.”

Dr. Molina
Molina Laboratory

Molina Laboratory

The Molina Lab is devoted to the investigation, development, and clinical translation of novel technologies that have the potential to decrease surgical invasiveness and improve surgical safety, efficacy, and efficiency.

Education

BA, Microbiology
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio
2004 – 2008

MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland
2008-2013

Residency

Resident, Neurological Surgery
Johns Hopkins University Hospital
Baltimore, Maryland
2013-2019

Fellowship

Fellowship, Spine Oncology and Spine Deformity
Johns Hopkins University Hospital
Baltimore, Maryland
2017-2018

Fellowship, Complex Spine and Skullbase
Universitta del Sacro Cuore
Rome, Italy
2019

Fellowship, Complex Spine
Johns Hopkins University Hospital
Baltimore, Maryland
2019-2020

Research focus

Dr. Molina is a spine fellowship-trained neurosurgeon with dedicated complex spine deformity and oncology training. He specializes in the entire spectrum of spine disease but has a unique interest in spinal tumors and spinal deformities. He has an active laboratory devoted to the study of spinal cord injury, spinal oncology, spinal deformity, and enabling spine surgery technologies.

His clinical and research vision converges on the mission of providing his patients an avenue to return to their lives in the least disruptive manner.  He is an expert and lead developer in novel robotic and augmented reality spine surgery solutions. He was a leader on the clinical design team that ultimately led to the FDA approval and performance of the first augmented reality mediated spine procedures in the United States.

Nationally Recognized Leader in Complex Spine Care

Dr. Molina holds multiple leadership positions in spine care and surgical innovation, including:

  • Director, Spinal Deformity & Spinal Oncology
  • Co-Director, Complex Spine Fellowship
  • Deputy Director, Spine Innovation, CINT
  • Co-Director, Patient Safety & Quality Improvement

His research has led to numerous publications and national presentations on spinal tumor surgery, deformity correction, and complex cervical spine reconstruction. He is frequently invited to lecture and collaborate with leading spine centers worldwide.

Awards & Recognitions

  • Johns Hopkins Dept. of Neurosurgery Harvey Cushing Research Award
  • Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Excellence in Medical Student Research Award
  • AO Spine Hansjorg Wyss Foundation Award
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute Medical Student Fellows Grant
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
  • Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society 
  • Spine Journal Reviewer
  • Twice Recipient of North American Spine Society Best Papers Distinction 
  • AO Spine Foundation Spine Fellowship Best Posters Distinction
  • Professional Memberships: AANS, CNS, NASS

Board certification

American Board of Neurological Surgery Certified (2023)

Hospital appointments

Barnes-Jewish Hospital 
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital