Dr. Marcus P. Schmitz, MD, FAANS

Media Releases

Get to know Neurosurgeon Dr. Marcus P. Schmitz, who serves patients in Lafayette, Louisiana.

A top professional in the field of neurological surgery, Dr. Schmitz is affiliated with Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center.

Serving as the main campus of the Ochsner Lafayette General region, Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center has 334 staffed beds and is the largest full-service, acute care medical center in Acadiana. Their full-service, tertiary care facility offers highly trained staff and excellent physicians who are dedicated to achieving positive outcomes for their patients.

In regards to his educational background, Dr. Schmitz obtained his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Kentucky, before earning his medical degree at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 1985. He then went on to complete his internship and residency in neurological surgery at the same educational venue in 1991, serving as Chief Resident in his final year.

Distinguished as a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurological Surgery (FAANS), the doctor is board-certified in neurosurgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS). The broad aim of the ABNS is to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the science of neurological surgery and thereby serve the cause of public health.

Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system. Neurosurgeons are doctors who diagnose and treat problems with the nervous system, often by performing surgery on the brain or spine. They treat strokes, tumors, cervical and lumbar disc disease, infections, and head or spinal cord injuries.

An authority in his field, Dr. Schmitz has been the recipient of the Patients' Choice Award (2018, 2017, 2016, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008), Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010), On-Time Doctor Award (2018, 2017, 2016, 2014), and Patients' Choice 5th Anniversary Award (2012).

Recommended Articles

• Recovery After a Laminectomy

  Laminectomy is a surgical procedure done for the removal of the lamina, bone spurs, and ligaments that may be putting pressure on your spinal nerves and causing lower back pain. The procedure is said to be one of the most commonly performed back surgeries. Below is a detailed information on what...

• Laminectomy: Reasons for Having One and the Risks It Involves

  What Is a Laminectomy?A laminectomy is a kind of surgery whose aim is to decompress the spinal cord. The lamina (the bone that constitutes spinal‘s vertebral arch) and bone spurs are removed during the operation. Both the lamina and bone spurs can compress your spinal cord leading to:...

• What Is a Cervical Laminectomy?

  A cervical laminectomy is performed to relieve the compression of the spinal cord and nerves around your neck. This is achieved by making the spinal canal wider, creating more space for your nerves. A part of the protruding bone or the lamina is either removed or trimmed during this procedure. The...

• Scoliosis Symptoms and Causes

  Scoliosis often occurs in kids below the age of puberty. Some of the most common signs of scoliosis happen to be the following:...

• Different Types of Physicians Explained

  Doctors or physicians are categorized according to different factors including medical specialties and subspecialties. Most doctors specialize in a specific area of medicine. This article provides a summary of the different types of doctors in the medical field. AllergistsAllergists are also...

• Are There Risks to a Spinal Stenosis Surgery?

  Like any other surgical procedure, spinal stenosis surgery has its own risks and possible complications. However, if performed correctly by professional medical staff, the possibility of any complication after the surgery is low.The potential risks and possible complications following a spinal...