Daniel Riew, MD

Daniel Riew, MD, Mildred B. Simon Distinguished Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Professor of Neurosurgery is recognized for his outstanding leadership in cervical spine surgery and his dedication to the education of the next generation of neurologic and orthopedic spine surgeons.

Since joining Washington University’s faculty in 1995, Riew has provided outstanding mentorship and training to 58 fellows and 29 foreign visiting scholars. Many spinal surgeons consider the Washington University Spine Fellowship, founded by Keith Bridwell, MD, to be one of the best in the country; trainees from the program now work in top academic centers throughout the United States and abroad. Riew has received multiple awards for character and leadership and is consistently praised by his students. He has published more than 160 peer-reviewed papers and more than 70 chapters and other manuscripts.

As chief of cervical spine surgery at Washington University Orthopedics, Riew has treated patients from all over the world and since 2002 has been recognized in America’s Top Doctors and Best Doctors in America. He is the past president of the Cervical Spine Research Society and is the chair of research for AOSpine International.

Riew earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1980 and his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1984. He completed residency training at Cornell Medical Center and George Washington University, and further training under the world-renowned cervical spine surgeon, Henry Bohlman. In 1995, he was recruited to Washington University’s Department of Orthopedics to start the cervical spine service, which he has developed into one of the largest cervical spine practices in the world.