Dr. Vernon Thorpe Tolo, MD

My daughter has been a patient of Dr. Tolos for the past four years. Dr. Tolo is one of the most personal, compassionate and brilliant Doctors I have ever met. He always takes the time to explain the medical plans and his opinions of the condition at the time. He truly goes above and beyond for his patients. We will be forever grateful for his his care and medical attention over the years.

Dr. Tolo performed a spinal fusion on me in 1975 at Johns Hopkins. I was a patient of his prior, about 1973, and they waited until just before a growth spurt to perform the surgery. Now this was in the early days of fusions, so things are different now. Needless to say, the surgery halted the scoliosis from curving any further and at age 57, I have lived a full life with zero limitations. I've played many sports including contact sports and I was a great power lifter when I was in my late 20's.

Dr Tolo was my surgeon back at JHH from 1979 to 1986. Received excellent care and outcome that has lasted me 30+ years now, an outstanding doctor.

My son was diagnosed with Scheuermann's disease and referred to Dr. Tolo who came to our area from L.A. once a month. He had a lot of patients so sometimes we had to wait, but it was worth it. Dr. Tolo was kind and caring and had a thorough knowledge of the disease. My son eventually underwent surgery at Children's Hospital in L.A. in 2004, titanium rods placed in his back and a spinal fusion was performed. As serious and as scary as the surgical procedure was, I had complete faith and confidence in Dr. Tolo and his staff. My son is doing well today.

Dr. Tolo performed a spinal fusion on me when I was 14 years old (2000). Him and his staff were very professional and caring, making me feel safe and informed on all details surrounding my surgery. A year later I went back for a metal removal after I had complications due to my body having an allergic reaction to the metal. During the year it took for my spine to fuse before the removal him and his staff continued to support and monitor all the details pertaining to my situation. For the second surgery Dr. Tolo did a fantastic job, once again, and I was able to heal and go on living a normal teenage life. I would recommend him to parents and their children ten times out of ten. Not only does he have an extensive bank of experience to pull from but he is an amazing surgeon.

Dr. Tolo did extensive orthopedic surgery on my daughter nine years ago. She has cerebral palsy. The results were good. Before surgery she couldn't walk/stand with her heals touching the ground. Now, although she ambulates with crutches and has a lot of toe-drag she manages to get along quite well. She is driving an adapted car and attending CSULB. If she had not had this surgery I'm sure she would be in a wheelchair by now.A few years after that surgery my son broke his femur and we were back for another series of appointments with the good doctor. My son had just turned four at the time. The bone was set in a closed reduction...in a spika cast (such fun, especially since I was pregnant!). For a couple of years that leg was a bit shorter than the other but it caught up and now he is nearing 5'8" at age 13!We've been back to attend to things which have come up with my daughter (sudden, temporary back pain) and Dr.Tolo has referred us to a neurosurgeon for a look at her X-ray… (to determine if she was experiencing complications from a former neurosurgery. This was ruled out (thankfully), and all is well.The thing about Dr.Tolo is that in addition to his incredible skill as a surgeon he is one of the sweetest, kindest, good-natured men you will ever meet! To the kids he is like a grandpa type person. And, I couldn't leave an appointment without hugging him!

I could not possibly give a rating high enough for Dr. Tolo and his wonderful staff. He performed surgery on my daughter, always a scary thing, but I had complete confidence in him and this confidence turned out to be well placed. I would not hesitate in the slightest to recommend Dr. Tolo to any and all needing his services!!!!

Unbelievable care and bedside manner. Tops in his field. My son loves him and my son does not like Doctors. Best Hospital experience. Recommend highly to any parent whose child is in need.