John S. Withrow, MD

Biography

Dr. John S. Withrow specializes in spine trauma, spinal cord injury, adult spinal deformity, and both primary and metastatic spine tumors. His clinical expertise extends to spinal navigation and robotic surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, and cranial trauma. Dr. Withrow’s career path was shaped by his own experiences with orthopedic injuries growing up, which fostered his deep respect for the knowledge and compassion of healthcare professionals. This led him to pursue a career in neurosurgery, where he now dedicates himself to improving patients' lives through expert care.

Dr. Withrow is committed to building strong, trusting relationships with his patients, understanding that the key to achieving the best outcomes lies in truly knowing what matters most to each individual. He views the patient-physician relationship as a partnership where success depends on open communication and mutual investment. With his extensive knowledge and experience, Dr. Withrow strives to help each patient achieve the best possible result for their condition.

His decision to pursue a career in healthcare was shaped by his own experiences with orthopedic injuries while growing up in Atlanta, Georgia. The compassionate care he received from physicians sparked a desire to help others in a similar way.

He chose to join Carolina NeuroSurgery & Spine Associates after learning about the group during his residency application process. He was drawn to CNSA’s emphasis on collaboration, camaraderie, and mentorship, which foster a supportive environment for both providers and patients. During his visits to the practice, Dr. Withrow saw firsthand the commitment to achieving optimal outcomes, and the depth of the group’s collective knowledge made it clear that CNSA was the ideal place for him to continue providing cutting-edge care.

Outside of his medical practice, Dr. Withrow enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters, and black lab. He also enjoys golfing, traveling, and cheering for UGA football and the Atlanta Braves.

Education

• Fellowship: Complex Spine Fellow, UTHealth at Houston Department of Neurosurgery, Houston, TX

• Residency: Neurosurgical Resident, UTHealth at Houston Department of Neurosurgery, Houston, TX

• Medical School: M.D., Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA

Research & Awards

• Award-Winning Abstract, AO Spine North America: 23rd Annual Fellows Forum (2025)

• Most Valuable Resident (2023-2024)

• Kuntz Scholar Spine Summit (2023)

• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (2017-Present)

• Phi Beta Kappa (2014)

Affiliations & Memberships

• Congress of Neurological Surgeons (2017-Present)

• American Association of Neurologic Surgeons (2017-Present)

• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (2017-Present)

• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (2017-Present)

• Phi Beta Kappa (2014-Present)