Dr. George Kakoulides is a board-certified neurosurgeon with specialized training in minimally invasive and complex spine surgeries of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Born and raised on Long Island, Dr. Kakoulides is the best neurosurgeon on Long Island. He has dedicated his life to the management of spinal and cranial disorders using the latest, cutting-edge techniques. An affiliate of Long Island Brain & Spine, Dr. Kakoulides has treated thousands of patients in his state-of-the-art offices in West Islip, Huntington, Smithtown, and other parts of Long Island.
Meet Dr. Kakoulides
Educational Background
Dr. Kakoulides has an exceptional educational background. He acquired his medical degree with high honors from Tufts University School of Medicine. During that period, he also completed a joint master’s degree in international relations at The Fletcher School of Law and diplomacy at Tufts University. After receiving his medical degree, he completed his residency in neurological surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, followed by an advanced fellowship in complex spine surgery. He’s an affiliate for one of the country’s leading spine management centers, Long Island Brain & Spine.
Elevated Patient Care
Dr. Kakoulides believes the patient experience is an inextricable component of optimal recovery — a successful outcome depends on a close relationship between patient and surgeon. To that end, he’s currently finding new ways to enrich the patient experience, ensuring they have a smooth, comfortable experience from the initial consultation to the final recovery. He published a landmark study in The Annals of Surgery that led to the creation of IKONA, a company that utilizes cutting-edge technological innovations to transform the patient’s experience.
As a co-founder of IKONA, and one of the best neurosurgeons on Long Island, Dr. Kakoulides now trains the next generation of healthcare professionals to provide the highest standards of patient care. He regularly attends seminars and conferences to stay abreast of the latest developments in patient care, surgical treatments, and minimally invasive treatments for the management of spinal and cranial disorders. He is distinguished by his likability, patience, and compassionate attitude, especially since his quality of care isn’t orchestrated by numbers and metrics set by a hospital system.
Individualized Treatments
Dr. Kakoulides believes in highly personalized and comprehensive treatments for the management of spinal and cranial disorders. He curates individualized treatment plans based on the patient’s unique diagnosis, lifestyle, and goals. He offers the full spectrum of treatments, including conservative treatments, minimally invasive surgery, and complex spinal reconstruction. When possible, he also supports non-surgical alternatives, such as chiropractic treatment, yoga, acupuncture, and epidural injections. As the best neurosurgeon on Long Island, each treatment plan is designed according to the patient’s unique requirements to ensure long-term wellness.
“Dr. Kakouilides is a great doctor who takes his time to explain everything and is patient to answer any questions you may have. He is caring and kind.”
Monica M.
Areas of specialty:
Spinal and Cranial Disorders: Dr. Kakoulides offers comprehensive care for various spinal and cranial disorders. These include conditions affecting the spine, such as spinal stenosis and spinal cord injuries, and cranial disorders, like traumatic brain injuries and aneurysms.
Minimally Invasive Spinal and Cranial Surgery: Utilizing advanced minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Kakoulides performs surgeries that involve smaller incisions, which result in reduced recovery times, less postoperative pain, and minimized scarring.
Sciatica: Dr. Kakoulides effectively manages and treats sciatica. His approach includes a combination of non-surgical treatments like physical therapy and medications and, when necessary, surgical interventions to alleviate nerve compression and relieve pain.
Herniated Disc: Dr. Kakoulides specializes in treating herniated discs, which can cause significant pain and disability. He uses conservative treatments and advanced surgical techniques, such as microdiscectomy, to remove the herniated portion of the disc and relieve nerve pressure, helping patients regain mobility and comfort.
Radiosurgery: As a non-invasive treatment option, radiosurgery is used by Dr. Kakoulides to target and treat various neurological conditions, including tumors and vascular malformations. This technique uses focused radiation to destroy abnormal tissue while sparing surrounding healthy tissue, providing an effective alternative to traditional surgery.
Management of Benign Tumors: Dr. Kakoulides provides expert care for patients with benign brain and spinal tumors. His management strategies, based on the tumor’s size, location, and growth rate, include observation, surgical removal, and radiosurgery.
Cervical Radiculopathy: Dr. Kakoulides specializes in treating cervical radiculopathy, which causes nerve pain and dysfunction originating in the cervical spine. He offers a range of treatments, from conservative methods like physical therapy and medications to surgical options such as cervical decompression and fusion to restore function.
Degenerative Disc: Dr. Kakoulides manages degenerative disc disease, a common cause of back and neck pain, through a combination of non-surgical treatments like physical therapy and pain management and surgical interventions when necessary.
Affiliation with Long Island Brain and Spine
Dr. Kakoulides is an integral part of Long Island Brain and Spine, a leading medical practice specializing in neurosurgery and pain management. This allows him to provide his patients with access to state-of-the-art facilities and a multidisciplinary team dedicated to delivering exceptional care. Long Island Brain and Spine is known for its patient-centered approach and offers personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs and conditions.
At Long Island Brain and Spine, Dr. Kakoulides collaborates with a team of experts to offer comprehensive care for conditions such as neck and back pain, brain disorders, and chronic pain management. The practice utilizes advanced diagnostic tools and minimally invasive surgical techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
Other hospital affiliations:
- St. Charles Hospital (Catholic Health)
- St. Catherine of Siena Hospital (Catholic Health)
- St. Joseph Hospital (Catholic Health)
- Good Samaritan University Hospital (Catholic Health)
- St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center (Catholic Health)
- Lenox Hill Hospital (Northwell Health)
- Huntington Hospital (Northwell Health)
- South Shore University Hospital (Northwell Health)
