Alexander Crawford, MD

Dr. Alexander M. Crawford, MD, MPH, is a Harvard and Rothman trained spine surgeon and Assistant Professor who sees patients at the Mount Sinai Hospital as well as in Brooklyn. He primarily operates at the Mount Sinai Hospital but also covers call at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside. Through expert, personalized spine care, he helps patients restore mobility, relieve pain, and return to the activities they love.

Dr. Crawford treats the full spectrum of spinal conditions, including degenerative diseases like arthritis and disc herniations, scoliosis, trauma, infection, tumors, and complex revision cases. He offers both open and minimally invasive options, matching each approach to the patient’s specific needs. His philosophy emphasizes thoughtful diagnosis, individualized treatment, clear communication, and evidence-based protocols to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Dr. Crawford completed orthopaedic surgery residency at the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program and a spine surgery fellowship at the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, two of the most respected training environments in the country. During this time, he worked closely with many of the foremost experts and thought leaders in spine surgery. He continues to build on these collaborations in his current practice and research.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Crawford advances spine care through research and education. He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in leading journals such as the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Spine Journal, and Spine. His work addresses cost and quality variation in spine care, disparities in outcomes, radiation safety, opioid safety, and surgical innovation. He also earned a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, shaping his focus on health services research, artificial intelligence, surgical safety, and value-based care.

Dr. Crawford’s contributions have been recognized with multiple national awards. He serves as an Associate Editor for Spine, the most cited journal in the field, and is a peer reviewer for several other leading publications. Through clinical and academic pursuits, he helps shape the future of spine surgery and ensures that patients benefit from the most current, effective, and safest treatment options available.