Edward Benzel, MD
Primary Location
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
- Appointment:
- 216.636.5860
- Desk:
- 216.445.5514
- Fax:
- 216.445.6801
Treatment & Services
- Cervical Deformity Surgery
- Cervical Spine Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Surgery
- Spine Biomechanics
- Spine Tumor Removal and Reconstruction
- Spine Tumor Surgery
- Surgery for Spinal Vascular Malformations
Specialty in Diseases & Conditions
- Cervical Infections
- Cervical Myelopathy
- Cervical Stenosis
- Cervical Tumors
- Spinal Cancer
- Spinal Deformity
- Spinal Fractures
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spine Tumors
- Spondylitis
- Spondylosis
Insurance
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View All PlansAbout Edward Benzel, MD
Dr. Benzel’s major clinical interests embrace many aspects of neurosurgery, but are focused on spinal disorders including cervical spondylosis, syringomyelia, complex spine instrumentation, and spine tumors. Clinical research has encompassed such issues as hydrocephalus, neonatal hemorrhage, cerebrovascular disorders, cranial trauma, critical care, brain death, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and of course, spinal disorders. From a research perspective, he currently is focusing on Spine biomechanics and clinical research, as well as sports related concussion research. The latter has centered about strategies to reduce risk and increase protection for athletes involved in contact sports.
He has been actively involved in the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgery, North American Spine Society (NASS), World Spinal Column Society, and Cervical Spine Research Society. Dr. Benzel is one of the founding members of the Lumbar Spine Research Society, formed in 2007. He serves on numerous committees, and in multiple different positions of the various societies.
His continual rigorous review of clinical and research content for several professional neurosurgical and spine publications contributes significantly to the body of literature. He was Co-Chairman of the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Neurosurgery (2003-2004), and is currently Chairman of the Review Board for the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. He has served as a reviewer for Neurosurgery, Spine, and The Spine Journal, and is an ad hoc reviewer for several other journals.
He has authored 10 textbooks, edited 28 texts, and contributed to over 370 book chapters. His seminal texts, Biomechanics of Spine Stabilization (1st, 2nd & 3rd Editions) and Spine Surgery: Techniques, Complications, Avoidance and Management (1st, 2nd & 3rd Editions) are conceivably the highlights of his publication endeavors.
Dr. Benzel holds 10 patents and has participated in many medical advances. He is perhaps best known as an educator. He initiated and directed the Neurosurgery Residency Training Program, and the Spine Fellowship Programs at the University of New Mexico, and has been instrumental in the development and success of these programs at the Cleveland Clinic. His innovations in Neurosurgery Resident Education have won accolades and numerous awards.
Education & Professional Highlights
Appointed
1999
Education & Fellowships
Fellowship - VA Medical Center
SpineSurgery & Spinal Cord Inj
Albuquerque,
NM
1981
Fellowship - Medical College of Wisconsin
Spine and Spinal Cord Injury
Milwaukee,
WI
1981
Residency - Medical College of Wisconsin Clinics
Neurosurgery
Milwaukee,
WI
1980
Residency - Medical College of Wisconsin Clinics
General Surgery
Milwaukee,
WI
1976
Medical Education - Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee,
WI
1975
Undergraduate - Washington State University
Chemical Engineering
Pullman,
WA
1971
Professional Highlights
- Medical Co-Director, Cleveland Clinic Foundation Spine Research Laboratory, 1999-Present
- Director, Neurosurgery Residency Program, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, May 2002-May 2009
- Course Director, Annual Cleveland Spine Review: Hands-On, Cleveland, Ohio, 2000-Present
Certifications
- Neurological Surgery
Specialty Interests
Cervical Spondylosis, Spinal Neoplasms, Spine Biomechanics
Awards & Honors
- Scholarship in Teaching Award, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, 2005
- Pioneer in Spine Surgery, North American Spine Society, 2006
- North American Spine Society’s David Selby Award, 2007
- Finalist, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, Parker J. Palmer “Courage to Teach” Award, 2007
- Paul C. Bucy Award in Neurosurgical Education; The Chicago Review Course in Neurosurgery, February 2011
- World Federation of Neurological Societies William Beecher Scoville Prize, 2011
- Honoree at the 13th Congress of Spine Surgery, Sao Paolo Brazil for “outstanding contribution to medical science worldwide” February 2013
Innovations & Patents
- United States Patent 5,681,312 Spine Construct with Band Clamps, Hansen A. Yuan, Edward C. Benzel, Alex Dinello, Michael H. Wefers, Aaron C. Smith (inventors), issued Oct. 28, 1997
- United States Patent 5,800,433 Spinal Column Retaining Apparatus, Edward C. Benzel, Alex Dinello, Hansen Yuan, Michael Wefers (inventors), issued Sept. 1, 1998
- United States Patent 5,843,082 Cervical Spine Stabilization Method and System, Edward C. Benzel (inventor), issued Dec. 1, 1998
- United States Patent 5,713,900 Apparatus for Retaining Bone Portions in a Desired Relationship, Edward C. Benzel (inventor), issued Feb. 3, 1998
- United States Patent 6,036,693 Cervical spine Stabilization Method & System, Edward C. Benzel (inventor), issued March 14, 2000
- United States Patent 6,193,720 Cervical Spine Stabilization Method & System, Edward C. Benzel (inventor), issued Feb. 27, 2001
- United States Patent 6,214,005 Spinal Column Retaining Apparatus, Edward C. Benzel (inventor), issued April 10, 2001
- United States Patent 6,706,005 Apparatus and Methods for Assessing Loads on Adjacent Bones, Shuvo Roy, Lisa Ferrara, Aaron Fleischman, Edward C. Benzel (inventors), issued March, 2004
- United States Patent 7,182,736 B2 Apparatus and Method for Assessing Loads on Adjacent Bones, Shuvo Roy, Aaron Fleischman, Edward C. Benzel, Lisa Ferrara (inventors), issued February 2007
Memberships
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- Cervical Spine Research Society
- World Spine Society, Aug. 2003-Present
- Society of Neurological Surgeons, 1994-Present
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Research & Publications
See publications for Edward Benzel, 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
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 10/2/2024, Dr. Benzel has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. 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.
Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. Benzel receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:
- Anthem, Inc.
Royalty Payments. Dr. Benzel receives or has the right to receive royalty payments for inventions or discoveries commercialized through the companies shown below:
- Prevent Biometrics, Inc.
Right to Future Distribution of Cleveland Clinic Financial Interest. Dr. Benzel may receive future financial benefits from the Cleveland Clinic for inventions or discoveries commercialized through the companies shown below:
- Prevent Biometrics, Inc.
Equity Dr. Benzel owns stock or stock options in the following companies for activities as a founder, inventor, discover, developer:
- Prevent Biometrics, Inc.
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.
36 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Explains | 4.5 | |
| Courtesy, Respect & Concern | 4.6 | |
| Patient Rating of Doctor | 4.5 |
6 Patient Comments
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Reviewed on Jul 19, 2024
Dr. Benzel is the most amazing human I've ever met, and the world lost an amazing surgeon when he stopped operating.
Reviewed on Jul 19, 2024
Dr. Benzel saved my life, I'll never be able to thank him enough. I just hope he knows how much he means to me.
Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024
Dr Bashir saw me first and he was extremely thorough in asking me questions. He explained my condition and then consulted with Dr Benzel of his findings. Dr Benzel was also very thorough and made his recommendation which I conferred with.
Reviewed on Mar 20, 2024
Dr. Benzel is one of my heroes. He is an incredible doctor, and everyone in his office was helpful, kind, and extremely attentive to my issues. I don't recall the name of his Fellow who also examined me (Daniyal?), but he was truly excellent as well. The Cleveland Clinic provides the gold standard in medical care, which is why I drive 5 hours to access the services.
Reviewed on Jan 30, 2024
Dr. Benzel is great and easy to communicate with.
Reviewed on Dec 19, 2023
Very impressed that Dr Wm Clifton met with me during that first consult visit. Both doctors very professional and helpful. So very glad we went there for this 2nd opinion.