Daniel M. Hafez, MD, PhD

Daniel M. Hafez, MD, PhD


Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery

Associate Program Director, Neurosurgery Residency

Dr. Hafez specializes in advanced minimally invasive and endoscopic spine techniques, offering same-day solutions for complex cervical, thoracic, and lumbar conditions.

Clinical Specialties

  • Endoscopic spine surgery
    • Endoscopic thoracic disc herniation surgery
    • Endoscopic cervical foraminotomy
    • Endoscopic lumbar decompression / discectomy
  • Same-day outpatient spine surgery
    • Minimally invasive fusions
    • Decompressions
    • Sacroiliac (SI) joint fusions
  • Minimally invasive spine surgery and deformity correction
    • Percutaneous minimally invasive spinal fusion
    • Robotic and augmented reality–assisted surgery
    • Rapid-recovery spine techniques
  • Artificial disc replacement
    • Cervical disc replacement
    • Lumbar disc replacement

Call 314-362-3577 for Patient Appointments

Education

BS, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
2004-2007

MD, Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Illinois
2014

PhD, Neuroscience, Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Illinois
2012

Residency

Resident, Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine
St. Louis, Missouri
2014-2021

Fellowship

Complex Deformity and Minimally Invasive Spine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2021-2022

Research focus

  • Protecting the injured nervous system — developing strategies for neuroprotection and limiting axonal degeneration after spinal or nerve injury.
  • Preserving motion — optimizing MIS surgical interventions to maintain natural spinal function.
  • Improving fusion outcomes — evaluating biologics and novel techniques to enhance bone healing and long-term stability.
  • Innovating minimally invasive solutions — designing and refining endoscopic and navigated approaches to reduce surgical morbidity.

Honors and leadership roles

  • Department of Neurosurgery Quality Improvement Project Award, Washington University, 2019
  • Department of Neurosurgery Resident Mentor Award, Washington University, 2018
  • Neurosurgical Resident Clinical Excellence Award, Washington University, 2017
  • AOA, Delta Chapter, Junior year, 2013
  • National MD/PhD Student Conference Travel Award, 2010
  • Poster Presentation, First place, RFUMS All-School Research Consortium, 2010
  • Distinction in MCB, University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, 2007
  • Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, 2004
  • Dean’s List, University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, 2004-2007

Hospital appointments

Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
Missouri Baptist Medical Center