Dr. Ra\'Kerry Kahlil Rahman, M.D.

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Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Ra’Kerry Kahlil Rahman, who serves patients in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Rahman is one of the most expertly-trained spine surgeons in the Houston-area, and is the Founder of the Houston Scoliosis and Spine Institute. Whether teaching, researching, volunteering or practicing medicine, he has earned a reputation for serving his patients, the profession, and his community as a highly capable and caring back pain specialist and spine surgeon.

The goal of Houston Scoliosis and Spine Institute is to be the first choice in spinal care in the Houston and San Antonio areas. Focusing on the spine while taking the whole body into account, they provide unparalleled medical expertise and compassionate care, recognizing that they are here to be partners in healthcare.

Today, Dr. Rahman focuses his practice on complex spinal deformity surgery and cervical spine surgery. He is a neck and back pain specialist committed to the surgical principle that it is optimal to do the least amount of surgery necessary for a successful outcome.

To meet that end, he is very interested in researching advanced surgical technologies, and currently employs such cutting-edge technologies as image guidance, and minimally invasive techniques, and is interested in applying robotics to spine surgery. Other areas of interest include improving perioperative pain management and reducing surgical site infections.

With an exceptional scholarly background, Dr. Rahman completed medical school at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry in 2005, earning his Doctorate of Medicine with Honors and Distinction in Research. He was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He also won numerous first-place research awards, including the Wilbert C. Jordan Research Forum Basic Science Award and the Process of Discovery Award.

This distinguished education was followed by an orthopedic residency at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia University. It was during this residency that he chose to focus on spine surgery. At this time, he won the Orthopedic Research Education Foundation (OREF) resident grant, which was one of only fifteen awarded nationally. Also, he served as chief resident from 2009-2010.

Following his residency, Dr. Rahman elected to take a special fellowship in cervical spine and spinal deformity at Washington University. This fellowship was with some of the world’s leading spine surgeons, including Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Lenke and Dr. Keith Bridwell (spinal deformity), and Dr. Dan Riew (cervical spine surgery) at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Treating all pediatric and adult spine problems, he is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and spine surgery by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS). The ABOS is an organization with the goal of establishing educational and professional standards for orthopedic residents and surgeons as well as evaluating the qualifications and competence of orthopedic surgeons.

A busy and sought-after surgeon, Dr. Rahman serves as a cervical spine & scoliosis surgeon at Spine & Orthopedic Surgical Institute in Houston, Texas.

Prior to his clinical work, he served as Chief of Adult Spinal Deformity and as a pediatric scoliosis specialist at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine. He was also an Assistant Professor of Spinal Surgery. Leaving SIU, he returned to Washington University, this time to complete Dr. Larry Lenke’s Complex Spinal Deformity Advanced Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship focused on the most complex pediatric and adult spinal deformity cases.

On a professional level, Dr. Rahman is a member of several societies, including the Scoliosis Research Society (one of the most prestigious spine societies, and whose membership is limited to only those spine surgeons who meet various high standards), the International Spine Intervention Society, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Society of Lateral Access Surgery, and the Cervical Spine Research Society.

Excelling in his field, he has published more than ten scientific articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, has given presentations at academic meetings across the United States, and has been involved in major research projects since the late 1990s.

Beyond his academic and surgical pursuits, he has immense compassion for patients with severe spine problems, especially those with limited access to care. Therefore, he has a strong interest in medical missions trips. He volunteered in Ghana for three weeks with Dr. Oheneba Boachie, performing complex spinal deformity surgery. He also traveled to Mexico and Colombia for outreach.

Orthopedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

Among his most notable achievements, Dr. Rahman was voted Best Faculty Instructor two years in a row for the 2012/2013 PASE course, “Cervical Decompression and Stabilization”.  He was also the keynote address speaker at the annual White Coat Ceremony at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry in 2004.

When not at work, he enjoys spending time traveling and enjoying Houston with his wife and two small children.

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