Education
Dr. Rossi earned his Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) at Indiana University School of Medicine. He went on to complete the Honors in Neurosciences program at IUSM prior to pursuing his Neurosurgery Training.
Dr. Rossi obtained his neurosurgical training at the University of Tennessee under mentorship of one of the largest independent neurosurgical groups in the country, the Semmes Murphey Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis is headquarters to the largest spinal device manufacturer, Medtronic. This association allowed him to become comfortable with the latest spinal surgery techniques including minimally invasive spinal surgery and artificial disk replacements.
As a Senior Resident, Dr. Rossi elected to pursue dedicated complex spinal surgery fellowship training in Bristol, England where the artificial cervical disk was invented. Here he functioned in an independent capacity working alongside both orthopedic and neurosurgical spine surgeons within the National Health System of the United Kingdom.
This experience provided Dr. Rossi insight into the philosophies of spinal surgeons working within a much more cost contained system where emphasis is placed on financially mindful and conservative (nonsurgical) treatment options. His time in England very much shaped Dr. Rossi’s practice philosophy today.
Dr. Rossi has published in the most prestigious peer reviewed neurosurgery journals including Neurosurgery and the Journal of Neurosurgery. He has published articles related to the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery vs traditional ‘open’ spine surgery, demonstrating less morbidity, shorter hospital stay, and lower blood loss with a minimally invasive approach.
Care Philosophy
As a third generation Hopedale surgeon, Dr. Rossi’s practice philosophy has been molded by his father and grandfather. The underlying theme of Dr. Rossi’s philosophy of care is transparency.
Part of what attracted Dr. Rossi to neurological surgery is the complexity of its pathology and the creativity required in developing an approach that suits the individual patient’s long term needs. Dr. Rossi believes consultation with a neurosurgeon should not focus solely on surgery. Rather emphasis first should be placed on fundamentally understanding the pain source and contributing factors.
This should be followed by discussion of expected long term course of the illness with or without treatment. Finally the patient should be presented with the risks and benefits of every available treatment option, especially nonsurgical management. If it is decided that surgery should be part of the solution, the decision for surgery should be made with appropriate expectations and understanding of long term implications.
Personal Notes
Dr. Rossi grew up in Illinois. He attended high school at Tremont and the Illinois Math and Science Academy. His undergraduate education was at Illinois Wesleyan University. After residency Dr. Rossi was employed in Dallas, Texas providing neurosurgical services at a major trauma and referral center for two years.
Ultimately he and his wife desired to be closer to family and returned to Illinois. He has been performing spinal surgery at Hopedale Medical Complex since 2019. He lives in Morton with his loving wife and three children.
Licensing and Professional Memberships
- Board Certification – American Board of Neurological Surgeons
- American Association Neurological Surgeons – Active member
- Full Illinois Medical License
- United States Medical Licensing Examination – Part 1: Pass (99), Part 2: Pass (99), Part 3: Pass