Our Spine Center is run by an expert team of highly skilled and extensively
trained neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons, whose use of state-of-the-art
surgical interventions and equipment has resulted in excellent patient outcomes.
Recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery by Blue Shield
of California, we pride ourselves on our high rate of surgical success
and low rate of complications.
Please take a moment to meet our team of surgeons:
Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Christian Athanassious is a board-certified spine surgeon who specializes
in conditions of the spine. An advocate of the whole-body medical approach
to treating patients, Dr. Athanassious completed his undergraduate degree
in Psychology from UC Davis with the intention of pursuing his medical
doctorate. With a thorough background in psychology, Dr. Athanassious
never loses sight of the mind and body connection when considering the
best treatment for his patients.
Dr. Athanassious received his medical degree from the Drexel University
College of Medicine. He then completed his orthopedic residency at Monmouth
Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey, and was selected to serve as
the Chief Resident in his final year. Dr. Athanassious went on to complete
his spine fellowship at Stanford University. Dr. Athanassious is a member
of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, North American Spine Society,
and the Society of Lateral Access Surgery.
Dr. Athanassious was born in Scotland, raised in the U.S., and has been
a longtime resident of California. He is married and enjoys many physical
activities including mountain biking, skiing, martial arts, and running.
Neurosurgeon
Dr. Kurtis Birch is a board-eligible neurosurgeon with St. Joseph Health
Medical Group. Dr. Birch has interests in general neurosurgery and spinal
surgery, including spinal instrumentation. He has a specific focus on
pituitary tumors and surgical treatments for movement disorders.
Dr. Birch graduated with a medical degree from Boston University and then
completed his residency in Neurologic Surgery at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, CA.
Dr. Birch enjoys playing golf and working on his muscle car. He grew up
in Utah and attended the University of Utah prior to moving to Boston
for medical school.
Neurosurgeon
Dr. Giac Consiglieri is a board-certified neurosurgeon with St. Joseph
Health Medical Group, and the Director of Neurosurgery and Neurotrauma
at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. In addition to general neurosurgery,
his specialty interests include cranial surgery for brain tumors as well
as spine trauma. Dr. Consiglieri believes in a multispecialty approach
to the treatment of the degenerative spine with an extremely conservative
approach to surgical decision making.
Dr. Consiglieri graduated with his medical degree from the University of
Southern California. He completed both his residency training in Neurological
Surgery and infolded fellowship in Spine Trauma and Complex Spinal Instrumentation
at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ. Dr. Consiglieri is
a member of the Congress of Neurologic Surgeons, and upon board-certification,
the American Association of Neurologic Surgeons.
When Dr. Consiglieri is not seeing patients or in the OR, he enjoys spending
time with his wife and young daughters, as well as mountain biking. He
was raised in Santa Rosa and has returned home following his years away
for school and training.
Neurosurgeon
Dr. Germain is a board-eligible neurosurgeon who specializes in cranial
and spinal tumors, and complex spinal disease. She grew up in Southern
California and attended the University of California, Los Angeles, then
graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in
Medicine. She completed her internship in Surgery at Banner Good Samaritan
Hospital in Phoenix and her residency in Neurosurgery at the Barrow Neurological
Institute. Dr. Germain had a successful private practice in Spokane, Washington
as a member of a seven surgeon group, serving a large regional medical
center before relocating to Santa Rosa.
Dr. Germain is a member of the following professional health organizations,
including the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and Sonoma County Medical
Association
Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Alexander Iezza is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes
in conditions of the spine, including minimally invasive lumbar fusion
surgery and microdecompression surgery.
Dr. Iezza graduated from Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University
of Medicine and Science, where he was an elected member of Alpha Omega
Alpha Honor Medical Society, a professional medical organization that
advocates excellence in scholarship and the highest ideals in the medical
profession. Dr. Iezza completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at
Stanford University and a fellowship in spine surgery at St. Mary's Medical
Center in San Francisco. During his fellowship, he served as clinical
instructor in the Department of Orthopedic Spine Surgery at Stanford University.
Dr. Iezza was born and raised in Petaluma. In his free time, he enjoys
spending time with his family, mountain biking, and participating in other
outdoor activities.