Emergency icon Important Updates
Department Center for Spine Health
Primary Location Hillcrest Hospital
Type of Doctor Adults Only
Languages English
Surgeon Yes
Locations
Hillcrest Hospital
Primary Location

Hillcrest Hospital

Appointment:
216.636.5860
Desk:
440.312.6100
Fax:
440.312.0454
Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Brain Biopsy
  • Brain Tumor Surgery
  • Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery
  • Cervical Spine Surgery
  • Complex Spinal Surgery
  • Craniotomy
  • Craniotomy for Brain Tumor
  • Deformity Correction
  • Fracture Care
  • Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty
  • Lumbar Fusion
  • Lumbar Spine Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Neurological Surgery
  • Neurosurgery
  • Spinal Deformity Surgery
  • Spinal Fusion
  • Spine Decompression
  • Spine Reconstruction
  • Spine Tumor Removal and Reconstruction
  • Spine Tumor Surgery
  • Stereotactic Brain Biopsy
  • Surgery for Spinal Vascular Malformations
  • Thoracic Spine Surgery
View all 24 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Arachnoid Cysts
  • Arthritis
  • Back Pain in Athletes
  • Benign Bone Tumors
  • Bone Cancer
  • Brain Cancer
  • Brain Hemorrhage
  • Brain Metastases
  • Cancer
  • Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Cervical Spine Disorders
  • Chronic Back Pain
  • Complex Cervical Deformities
  • Degenerative Spine Disease
  • Facet Arthropathy
  • Facet Joint Syndrome
  • Gait Dysfunction
  • Glioblastoma Multiforme
  • Herniated Disc
  • Leg Pain
  • Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Lumbar Radiculopathy
  • Lumbar Spine Disorders
  • Metastatic Cancer
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Musculoskeletal Impairments
  • Musculoskeletal Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Peripheral Nerve Disorders
  • Radiculopathy
  • Sacroiliitis
  • Scheuermann's Kyphosis
  • Schwannoma
  • Sciatica
  • Spinal Cancer
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Spinal Deformity
  • Spinal Disorders
  • Spinal Fractures
  • Spinal Infections
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Spine Tumors
  • Spondylitis
  • Spondyloarthropathy
  • Spondylosis
  • Thoracic Spine Disorders
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
View all 49 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

Is Cleveland Clinic Part of Your Insurance?

Review a list of accepted insurance plans for our Northeast Ohio locations or learn more about purchasing a contracted managed care plan.

View All Plans
Biography

About John Butler, MD

TRAINING: 
Barrow Neurosurgical Associates
       Phoenix, AZ
       Spine Fellowship                          

Cleveland Clinic Foundation
     Cleveland, OH
     Residency
     Department of Neurosurgery 

Cleveland Clinic Foundation
     Cleveland, OH
     Internship
     Department of General Surgery 

 EDUCATION: 

M.D., Medical College of Georgia
      Augusta, Georgia
M.S., University of Georgia Graduate School
      Department of Medical Microbiology
      Athens, Georgia
B.S., University of Georgia
      Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
      Department of Microbiology

Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2016

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Barrow Neurological Institute
Spine Surgery
Phoenix, AZ USA
2008

Residency - Cleveland Clinic
Neurosurgery
Cleveland, OH USA
2007

Medical Education - Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, GA USA
2001

Awards & Honors

  • RESIDENCY: 2ND Place, Best Scientific Poster, AANS Spine and Peripheral Nerve Section,. 
  • Humanitarian Award, Department of  Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation,
  • MEDICAL SCHOOL: Honors, USMLE Step 1
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for John Butler, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 12/21/2023, Dr. Butler has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

221 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.7 out of 5
Explains 4.7
Listens 4.5
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.8
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.7

33 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024

Dr Butler's office always treats me with respect that's why I like going to him and that's why I will always go to him he explains things Thor

Reviewed on Feb 15, 2024

Dr butler. Did my spine surgery and it was very successful. I would refer him to other people. He takes the time to talk to you and he cares about his patients.

Reviewed on Feb 8, 2024

Dr Butler & his team provided me with excellent care. I saw them regularly & they were readily available to answer my questions.

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2024

Dr. Butler and his two residents were very helpful and informative about my back condition, and what I could do moving forward. I look forward to learning more about what they can do to relieve my lower back and leg pain.

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2024

We have the highest regard for Dr Butler and his team.

Reviewed on Jan 18, 2024

I really expect to have a PA or CNP see me. When Dr. Butler came in, I was pleasantly surprised. He was very pleasant and informative. He explained exactly what happened to me, showed the CT images of my brain to me and explained them. Answered all my questions directly. Upon leaving, he even walked down to the end of the hallway with me and shook my hand.

Reviewed on Jan 18, 2024

Dr Butler took the time to explain my concerns in a way that was easy to understand

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2024

Dr. John Butler is the best doctor for spine surgery !

Reviewed on Dec 14, 2023

Provider was a surgeon and the only questions he was interested in had to do with "whether you are a candidate for surgery". His exact words. Told me he didn't address any other questions.

Reviewed on Nov 30, 2023

Dr. Butler is great - he makes certain that you are well-informed and understand your options. He is also very caring!

Reviewed on Nov 29, 2023

My first visit to your clinic was an excellent one. Everyone from the valet who helped us with our questions and was super friendly to the sign in desk who was very friendly and escorted me via a wheelchair to my Drs office, and then my consultation with my surgeon. Well, I am so thankful for that visit! Dr. Butler made me feel at total ease and answered all my questions. My total experience there was absolutely the best I could have ever expected or asked for. Looking forward to going back for my surgery. Thank you ALL for your kindness.

Reviewed on Nov 29, 2023

My Doctor made me feel relaxed and answered our questions. He was friendly and was very helpful.

Reviewed on Nov 16, 2023

Dr. Butler was extremely professional and appeared to be very happy to answer all questions. He did not encourage surgery, which surprised me. He assured me that my problem could be managed. I was thrilled to hear this!

Reviewed on Nov 16, 2023

One can tell that Dr. Butler is passionate about his ability to help a patient get better

Reviewed on Nov 9, 2023

I have already recommended Dr. Butler.

Reviewed on Nov 9, 2023

Dr. Butler gave me my life back!

Reviewed on Sep 28, 2023

Dr. Butler and the other doctor were extremely kind and understanding. They took the time to review my situation and explain next steps.

Reviewed on Sep 7, 2023

Dr. Butler did not show concern for my issue. We had to ask about something shown on the MRI. He didn't seem concerned.

Reviewed on Aug 24, 2023

He was very col and robotic. I felt like just another patient he had to get through for his day to be over.

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2023

Dr. Butler listened to my concerns about my back pain and suggested further testing to determine the issue.

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2023

Dr John Butler showed concern about myPost Surgery issues & made me feelValued as a patient.

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2023

I've had 2 previous back surgeries & Recent neck cervical surgery byDr John Butler & Surgical Team.I have complete trust & confidence In their abilities.

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2023

Feel very comfortable with care received from Dr. Butler.

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2023

I was treating very respectful and Dr Butler explains very good about my surgery.I was more than happy with him.

Reviewed on Jul 20, 2023

My experience at Hillcrest was unfavorable to say the least. Dr. Butler was nice. Lacked initiating an explanation with detail. Told me "FDA doesn't allow me do 3 disectomys, I can only do two" I have three herniated discs. He failed to talk about options that would correct all three discs he did not willingly show me my MRI by pointing out my herniations. It was disappointing and definitely not the path that was best for my situation. He never suggested any other options. The other two neurosurgeons I consulted with communicated with detail and were honest. I didn't feel Dr. Butler was upfront with me about my surgical needs. They discussed options and I had to bring up my own options to Dr. Butler. I am a 7th grade teacher. When parents conference with me, I want them walking away knowing my commitment and care for their child. Dr. Butler would perhaps find a favorable result by showing care via detailed explanation about imaging, process of surgery by explaining materials used and the options available, even if he can't perform them. NONE OF THAT WAS SHOWN, communicated or demonstrated. To think I show more care to 12 year olds in my classroom than a surgeon would show to an individual they will be operating in their cervical spine! After meeting with two other neurosurgeons, I received the care from both of them from the moment we walked in their office.

Reviewed on Jul 20, 2023

Dr. Butler addressed my concerns to my utmost satisfaction. He explained everything I asked from him and put my thoughts to ease.

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2023

Very good Doctor

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2023

He's a wonderful surgeon, a doctor and I just adore him. He's easy to talk to and he makes everything very simple and to the point I couldn't have a better surgeon and I know that in my heart. He's a great great doctor

Reviewed on May 24, 2023

I interviewed three other surgeons before Dr Butler. Dr Butler was the only surgeon it offered to do what I wanted done even though I didn't tell him what I wanted done. I highly recommend him as a premier surgeon or any neurosurgical procedures necessary to anyone. I travel 30 miles to his office and to the hospital Hillcrest which he operates at so it's a 60 mi round trip and worth every bit of it

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2023

I told everyone in my card clubs how awesome Dr. Butler was

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2023

Dr Butler is the most compassionate and knowledgeable Dr I have seen. I highly recommend!!!

Reviewed on Apr 6, 2023

Dr.Butler is an amazing doctor. Very compassionate. He did an amazing job on my spine surgery.

Reviewed on Apr 5, 2023

Dr was very easy to reach and schedule

Back to Top