Dr. Bernard Rawlins, MD

Simply put — Dr. Rawlins saved my life. As an adolescent, I was a passenger in a car wreck and sustained severe vertebral injury to my lumbar spine. After nearly 2 years of physical therapy with little improvement to my symptoms, I was eventually referred to Dr. Rawlins. It became apparent that my condition was worsening, due to malalignment of my spine and thus my case became a surgical one. Dr. Rawlins has remarkable skills and does not waste any time in letting his patients understand if and why he is the right surgeon for them. I had an L1-L3 spinal fusion procedure and 2 years post-operatively I had another procedure performed by him to remove the pedicle screws and rods from my spine. It has been over 10 years since I had both of those procedures done and I have been living my life pain-free with a very active lifestyle in a physically demanding career in the Sports Medicine field. I owe this all to the excellent work of Dr. Rawlins and the HSS medical staff.

I saw this doctor today to get a second opinion about best course of action for 3 bulging discs and one herniated disc all in cervical spine, between C3 and C7. I saw a top surgeon in Jersey who recommended a multi-level cervical fusion, but I wanted a second opinion. I came with recent MRI, X-ray and EMG reports and CD of the actual MRI. I also filled-in his new patient forms beforehand but when I got there, I had to redo all the forms via tablet anyway. So, doing them beforehand was a waste of my time and paper. When Dr. Rawlins came in, he did more looking at the forms than listening/looking at me. He minimized my symptoms which have caused me to go on temporary disability, stating "I'm not impressed." He left the room to look at the MRI rather than looking at it with me. He told me he was unable to help me with a second opinion as he could not make out the MRI, that it was unclear. (MRI was done at a reputable facility; the surgeon I'd seen in Jersey looked at the MRI CD with… me and it was clear as day). He then asked me: "'What do you want?" Do you want surgery?" "Do want surgery here?" What bizarre questions to ask me, after all, who in their right mind wants surgery!! He minimally examined me, assessing only strength in my upper limbs and hands. He never asked about balance, bowel, bladder control, pain level. I tried to have a back-and-forth discussion, but he held up his hand more than once as if to say "stop." I was trying to explain the bladder and balance deficits. It wasn't until I told him voluntarily about the latter deficits, which the surgeon in Jersey explained are related to cervical nerve compression, that he suggested I see a neurologist at HSS to see if my symptoms related in any way to my cervical nerves. It was if the doctors I'd been seeing in Jersey were all wrong. On the way home, his office called me and told me I left without scheduling the MRI. I explained that Dr. Rawlins was very clear that I should see a neurologist before having a second MRI. So, this call was weird because the lady told me that Dr. Rawlins' notes of my visit showed he ordered an MRI. Clearly, there was miscommunication in the plan. And, there was no mention about whether or not my insurance would cover a second MRI. The visit into HSS to see Dr. Rawlins left me feeling very disappointed. I felt like it was a waste of my time. I truly expected so much more from a premier specialty hospital and surgeon representing.

Dr. Bernard Rawlins was very confident that a lumbar spine fusion with instrumentation would significantly decrease my low back, hip and leg pain. He said I would be bungee jumping and biking, as well as dancing. Instead, the surgery destroyed my body. He left me in debilitating pain -- much worse than before the surgery: intolerable pain in my low back, mid and upper back, hips, buttocks, groin, and stomach. One year later and I'm still in excruciating pain. When it was clear months after the surgery that I wasn't getting better and actually getting worse, he did nothing to help. I asked him to confer with colleagues at the Hospital for Special Surgery, which is supposed to be #1 in orthopedics, and elsewhere - to get to the root causes of the pain and come up with a treatment plan he said: "I don't work like that." He refused to help me. In short, if you are not in the grouo of people who improve from his surgery you will be left alone in excruciating pain. And HSS will do nothing… to help when you go to a patient experience advocate other than put on a show months later -- none of the doctors will review medical images you bring in from other places, they wil no examine you and ask you meaningful questions to help. They will just tell you to do more PT, which you have done for almost a year after a failed surgery. The metal digs into your low back and sacrum. You have unbearable nerve pain in your back, hips, butt, and legs even with large doses of neurontin, lidocaine patches, and medical marijuana. You can't sit, stand, walk, lie down, or even eat without excruciating pain. They gave you an ileus during the surgery and messed up your stomach so you can't even digest food. Stay away from HSS and Dr. Rawlins. Rawlins is slick and will act like you'll be well if you he does surgery, but he fails to diagnose other hip conditions that are contributing to your low back and hip pain before the surgery so the surgery fails to relieve your pain and leaves you in much worse shape than before.

Awful experience. Rawlins had no interest in helping me with my debilitating pain. His interest were with who I saw prior, how I found him ( really?) , and length of pain meds. A 5 min review of scans without my presence and 30 sec exam. Body language, blank facial expression and lack of empathy says it all. Imagine the follow up care if there were any complications. There are plenty of other spine specialist who are committed to treating their patients with the utmost skill, understanding and compassion. Do not waste your time or pain level on an egotistic surgeon. More on Written by a 35 year seasoned RN

I am writing months after my surgery so I can fully report on my experience and condition. I am definitely someone who likes to keep moving and after one month I was really feeling much better, you can barely see my scar and though I’m not 100% I’m completely functional. I am 47-year-old women who have never had any surgery before Dr. Rawlins, who was referred by top Neurologist and other surgeons at the best hospitals in New York and they were unaware of each other’s recommendations (funny). Needless to say, I was excited to read his reviews. No one wants to have surgery with all the risks involved. Being in the medical field at one time I established many relationships, so when I wanted to find a good physician I made sure I received serval opinions by top physicians in both NJ and NY. Understanding that surgery is still a business and it’s to the doctor’s advantage to recommend it; When you read about a doctor telling a patient they ARE NOT a candidate no matter how it was… delivered I would think that’s a good thing I’m sure Dr. Rawlins as the other doctors did (on the previous review) could have found just cause. There were a few things that finalized my decision to go with Dr. Rawlins. First, after looking at my MRI his first question was who is working with you on this i.e. neurologist etc. I told him that many of these Doctors recommended surgery but did not respond to the urgency of my issue one doctor, Dr. Gologorski who prides himself on his surgical skills (and I’m sure he’s talented, but hastiness is his shortcoming) misdiagnosed me altogether, amongst other things. Dr. Rawlins with 30 + years told me he had to take me right away and I know he was booked for months, yet he fit me in based on the severity of the condition, paralysis was setting in and I had to have an ACDF procedure (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion) on my spin. I wanted someone who was focused on ensuring I had a safe and minimally invasive procedure. Dr. Rawlins is the BEST and I wanted the best and that is what I received not only from my doctor but the hospital as a whole. I am incredibly happy with my experience pre and post-surgery. Dr. Rawlins had me see every physician possible prior to my surgery an Internal medicine doctor and Dr, Leung who is an exceptional and very thorough neurologist hand down. Monday morning, I was ready to go. Many of my fears were put to rest. His assistant Delizabeth was perfect I felt like we knew each other for years, she was on top of everything and was very comforting! I don’t know if anyone can truly feel happy for any type of surgery, but I didn’t know what to expect so I was expecting the worse (personality trait ??), thankfully it was great really, I mean it and it because I had a surgeon who knew exactly what he was doing and cared (very calming) and honestly, he is top notch!

Dr. Rawlins did my microdiskectomy. He was great, very professional and did a fabulous job. He is very patient, answers all questions candidly and has a wonderful bedside manner. I am very happy to have chosen him for my surgery

I traveled four years in total to visit with Dr. Rawlins. He didn't introduce herself to me. He was very rude. Did not even exam me. I have many neck and back issues. He told me more or less I didn't need surgery. Which others have told me otherwise. I left there feeling horrible. Nice job Dr Rawlings. If I could leave zero stars. I would!

Failed back surgery - went back to Dr Rawlins with concerns due to pain, muscle spasms and ongoing ( back, and now neck) issues after having surgery performed by him only to have a conversation with the Dr to be full of arrogance, lack of empathy and no bedside manner. HORRIBLE - DECREASED QUALITY OF LIFE after having surgery performed by him.

As a very accomplished doctor ,Dr Rawlins has kept his human side intact

I ve been dealing with chronic back pain and told to have surgery by doctors that only looked at an MRI. Dr. Rawlins reviewed my exam sent me to see a neurologist and made sure he covered all bases before confirming or negating surgery. The spine is something you don't just jump onto a table. I am eternally grateful for his time and treatment.