Louis G. Cornacchia III
Board-certified neurosurgeon focused on complex spine conditions, minimally invasive surgery and careful second opinions.
More than 30 years of clinical experience, with a career spanning spine surgery, neurotrauma, academic teaching and surgical innovation.
Biography
Dr. Louis G. Cornacchia III is a board-certified neurosurgeon whose practice emphasizes understanding the cause of a patient’s symptoms before recommending treatment. His clinical focus includes complex and revision spine surgery, minimally invasive techniques, nerve compression, and evaluation of persistent symptoms after prior surgery.
A graduate of Columbia College and NYU School of Medicine, he completed his neurosurgical residency at the University of California, San Diego. His career has included leadership of neurosurgical services, faculty appointments at Weill Cornell and SUNY Downstate, and teaching medical students, residents and physician assistants.
His early research combined neurobiology, imaging and software development. That interest in solving practical problems continued through work on surgical devices, minimally invasive approaches and technology to support coordinated care.
At Apteum Spine, the evaluation brings together the patient’s history, neurological examination, imaging, previous treatment and goals. The purpose is to explain the diagnosis and reasonable options, including nonsurgical care when appropriate. An evaluation does not commit a patient to surgery.
Education & Training
Medical education
- Columbia College — B.A., 1982.
- NYU School of Medicine — M.D., 1987; Honors in Cell Biology.
- NYU — Internship.
- UC San Diego Medical Center — Neurosurgery residency under Dr. John Alksne.
Professional credentials
- Diplomate, American Board of Neurological Surgery.
- Fellow, American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS).
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS).
FAANS and FACS are professional fellowship designations; they are distinct from a postgraduate surgical fellowship.
Career Experience
Selected former leadership and academic appointments.
- 1997–1999Chief of Neurosurgery · Hempstead General HospitalOrganized community neurosurgical coverage.
- 1997–2012Founder and Director · NY Neurosurgery & Neuroscience AssociatesDirected a Nassau County practice of neurosurgeons and a neurologist.
- 2001–2007Chief of Neurosurgery · Mercy Medical CenterLed neurosurgical services at a Level II trauma center.
- 2002–2016Chief, Division of Neurosurgery · Brookdale University Hospital and Medical CenterLed services covering spine, neuro-oncology and emergency neurosurgical care, with involvement in neurocritical care education.
- 2005–2011Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery · SUNY DownstateProvided clinical coverage support and participated in residency-program development.
- 2001–2016; 2016–2018Weill Cornell Medical Center · Faculty AppointmentsClinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, followed by Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery.
Résumé / Curriculum Vitae
A public professional version, with personal contact information omitted.
Louis G. Cornacchia III, M.D., FAANS, FACS
Neurosurgeon · Public Professional Curriculum Vitae
Apteum Neurosurgery & Spine · apteumspine.com
Clinical Focus
Complex spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, revision spine surgery, neurotrauma and technology-enabled care coordination.
Education
- Columbia College — B.A., 1982.
- NYU School of Medicine — M.D., Honors in Cell Biology, 1987.
- NYU — Internship.
- UC San Diego Medical Center — Neurosurgery residency, Dr. John Alksne.
Certification & Professional Fellowships
- Diplomate, American Board of Neurological Surgery; initial certification 2001.
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons.
- Fellow, American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Leadership & Academic Appointments
- Chief of Neurosurgery, Hempstead General Hospital — 1997–1999.
- Founder and Director, NY Neurosurgery & Neuroscience Associates — 1997–2012.
- Chief of Neurosurgery, Mercy Medical Center — 2001–2007.
- Chief, Division of Neurosurgery, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center — 2002–2016.
- Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, SUNY Downstate — 2005–2011.
- Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medical Center — 2001–2016.
- Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medical Center — 2016–2018.
- Chairman, Peri-Operative Oversight Committee, Brookdale Hospital — February–November 2016.
- Medical Director, Doctor-Patient Network — 2005–2011.
- Founder, ThinkFirst Brooklyn Chapter at Brookdale University Hospital — 2013–2016.
Research Experience
- Research Fellow, Albert Einstein College of Medicine — 1975–1976; oncology research.
- Muscular Dystrophy Association Research Fellow, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons — 1980; technology and laboratory research related to Pompe’s disease.
- Cell Biology Research Fellowship, NYU, with Dr. Virginia Black — 1986–1987; development of stereological analysis software and investigation of cellular pathology.
- Magnetoencephalography / Epilepsy Studies, NYU — 1987; software development for localizing magnetoencephalographic sources.
Teaching & Mentorship
- Resident and physician assistant education in neurosurgery, trauma and neurocritical care.
- Development of in-house training programs and journal clubs.
- Lectures for medical students, residents, physician assistants and allied health professionals.
Selected Publications
- Black VH, Cornacchia LG. Stereological analysis of peroxisomes and mitochondria in intestinal epithelium of patients with peroxisomal deficiency disorders: Zellweger’s syndrome and neonatal onset adrenoleukodystrophy. American Journal of Anatomy. 1986;177:107–118.
- Cornacchia LG, Black VH. Development of stereological analysis software for calculation of volume, surface and number density from micrographs. Computers in Biology and Medicine. 1988;18(2):75–88.
- Cornacchia LG, Virden CP, Wahlstrom HE. Meckel’s diverticulum: another “great imitator.” Hospital Practice. 1991;26(4A):65–68.
- Cornacchia LG, Abitbol, Garfin, Marshal. Cerebrovascular pathology related to blunt head or neck trauma with associated spine fractures. Spine. March 1992.
- Scheller, Alksne, Cornacchia, Branson. A comparison of the effects on neuronal Golgi morphology, assessed with electron microscopy, of cardiopulmonary bypass, low-flow bypass and circulatory arrest during profound hypothermia. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 1992;104(5):1396–1404.
Selected Presentations & Professional Work
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome: anatomy and electrodiagnosis — 1991.
- Preoperative and postoperative SPECT evaluation of cerebral blood volume in patients with arteriovenous malformations — Congress of Neurosurgery, 1991.
- A platform for human learning enhancement — Society for Neuroscience, 1993.
- Reclamation of autologous bone tissue during spine surgery — Cervical Spine Research Society presentations, 1996, 2002 and 2006.
- Low back pain: a simplified treatment algorithm — Brookdale Neuroscience Symposium, 2003.
- Traumatic brain injury: state of the art — Brookdale Neuroscience Symposium, 2004.
- Role of multi-tenancy architectures in healthcare — Medicine 2.0, Toronto, 2009.
Innovation
Work described in Dr. Cornacchia’s professional CV includes radionuclide injection devices, health-information and reporting systems, percutaneous spine instrumentation, and a surgeon-controlled bipolar electrocautery actuator. Patent grants and applications have distinct legal statuses.
Patient Appointments
Apteum Spine · New-patient inquiries: (609) 831-0998
Request an evaluation (Form) · Office locations
Public professional version prepared October 15, 2026. Selected career and academic information; former positions are identified by date. This version omits personal contact details and license identifiers.
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