EXPERT IN SPINAL DISORDERS JOINS DOWNSTATE FACULTY
Dec 1, 2006
With the arrival of Michael C. Gerling, MD, at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University,
Brooklyn residents who suffer from back or neck pain have greater choice in diagnostic
services and state-of-the-art treatment without having to leave the borough. Dr. Gerling
is assistant professor of spine surgery in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Medicine.
Dr. Gerling is a skilled surgeon, experienced in all aspects of spinal care from conservative
treatments to complex surgery. He comes to SUNY Downstate from Case Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, where he trained with Dr. Henry Bohlman, one of the founders
of spine surgery and the originator of many modern surgical techniques. Dr. Gerling
received his medical degree from the University of California at San Diego. He performed
his orthopedics residency in the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans.
In order to provide easy access for people seeking back or neck pain relief, Dr. Gerling
will be seeing patients both at Downstate’s University Hospital at Downstate in East
Flatbush and at an office in Park Slope.
A native of Toronto and an accomplished athlete, Dr. Gerling is the author of several
basic science and clinical publications, abstracts, and presentations. He is actively
involved in research on the treatment of compression fractures and kyphosis, the treatment
of complications of arthritis and osteoporosis, and the testing of spine-related muscular
reflexes. Dr. Gerling also works closely with Downstate faculty who specialize in
rheumatology, neurosurgery, and other fields.
Those wishing more information may call 718-270-4540. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences
University is the only academic medical center in Brooklyn, Staten Island, or Queens,
comprising a College of Medicine, School of Graduate Studies, Colleges of Nursing
and Health Related Professions, and the 376-bed University Hospital at Downstate.
SUNY Downstate also offers a Master of Public Health degree and is a major research
center.
### About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four academic health centers
(AMCs) in The State University of New York (SUNY) 64-campus system and the only SUNY
AMC in New York City dedicated to health education, research, and patient care for
the borough’s 2.7 million residents. Its flagship hospital, University Hospital at
Downstate (UHD), is a teaching hospital and benefits from the expertise of Downstate’s
exceptional medical school and world-class academic center research facilities. With
a staff of over 800 physicians representing 53 specialties and subspecialties, Downstate
offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community. UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis
for kidney diseases and is the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn. Beyond
its clinical expertise, Downstate houses a range of esteemed educational institutions,
including its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions,
School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate fosters innovation
through its multifaceted biotechnology initiative, the Biotechnology Incubator and
BioBAT, which support early-stage and more mature biotech companies.