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Dr. Andrew Sama img

Meet Andrew A.
Sama

MD

Dr. Sama’s patients rate him 4.8 out of 5 stars in friendliness/courtesy and 4.9 out of 5 stars in skill.
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Co-Chief, Spine Service, Hospital for Special Surgery


Associate Attending Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery and New York Presbyterian Hospital


Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College

  • Education and Training
  • Honors and Awards
  • Research and Publications
  • Professional Memberships
  • Insurance Information

Education and Training

  • The University of Miami School of Medicine
  • The University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital Medical Center Orthopaedic Surgery (Residency)
  • The Hospital for Special Surgery/Weill Cornell Medical College, Surgery of Spinal Disorders and Deformities (Fellowship)

Honors and Awards

  • Henry King Stanford Scholarship in Academic Excellence, 1988-1991
  • 4 Year Half Tuition Scholarship, University of Miami
  • Nu Kappa Tau chapter of Mortar Board Honor Society, 1990
  • Treasurer, University of Miami, 1991
  • Nominated, Student Leader of the Year, University of Miami, School of Medicine, 1991-1992
  • Sophomore Class Vice President, University of Miami, School of Medicine, 1992-1993
  • Class Fundraising Chairperson, Generating over $15,000 for Graduation
  • University of Miami, School of Medicine, 1992-1993
  • Milan Scholarship in Outstanding Achievement, 2 Year Full Tuition Scholarship, University of Miami, School of Medicine, 1993-1995
  • Medical School Representative, Board of Trustees, University of Miami, 1993-1995
  • Vice President’s Service Award, University of Miami, 1994-1995
  • Iron Arrow Honor Society, Highest Honor Attainable, University of Miami, 1994
  • Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, 1994
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, 1997
  • National Orthopaedic Surgery Fellows Foundation Grant: “The Effect of Alendronate on Lumbar Spine Fusion in the Rat Model” – 2000
  • National Orthopaedic Surgery Fellows Foundation Award: “The Effect of Alendronate on Rat Intertransverse Spinal Fusion” – 2000
  • Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Research Award: “The Effect of Alendronate on Spine Fusion in the Rat Model” – 2000
  • National Orthopaedic Surgery Fellows Foundation Grant: “The Effect of Alendronate on Spine Pseudarthrosis in the Rat Model” – 2000
  • Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Grant, 2002
  • Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Grant: “The Effect of Alendronate on Spine Fusion in Oophorectomized Osteoporotic Rats” – Hospital for Special Surgery, 2002
  • Healthgrades Five Star Doctors, Healthlink, NY Newsday, 2010
  • America’s Top Doctors, Castle Connolly Medical Guide, 2013
  • Best Doctors in New York, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors Guide, New York Magazine, 2014
  • 59 Great Orthopedic Surgeons Recommended by Healthcare Leaders, Becker’s Spine Review, 2015 
  • Best Doctors in New York, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors Guide, New York Magazine, 2015
  • Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors Guide, 2016
  • Best Doctors in New York, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors Guide, New York Magazine, 2016
  • Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors Guide, 2017
  • Best Doctors in New York, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors Guide, New York Magazine, 2017
  • 65 Orthopedic Surgeons Recommended by Other Orthopedic Surgeons, Becker’s Spine Review, 2017
  • New York Super Doctors, The New York Times Magazine, 2017
  • Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors Guide, 2018
  • Best Doctors in New York, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors Guide, New York Magazine, 2018
  • New York Super Doctors, The New York Times Magazine, 2018
  • Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors Guide, 2019
  • New York Super Doctors, The New York Times Magazine, 2019
  • New York Magazine Top Doctor for 5 Years, Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., 2019
  • Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor 2020, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors Guide, 2020
  • Patients’ Choice Award 2020, Vitals | American Registry, 2020
  • Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctor Guide, 2021

Research and Publications

  • Spine
  • The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
  • The Spine Journal
  • European Spine Journal
  • Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
  • Global Spine Journal
  • Asian Spine Journal
  • Journal of Orthopaedic Research

A complete list of Dr. Sama’s published research can be viewed here.

Professional Memberships

  • Active Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Active Fellow, Scoliosis Research Society
  • Member, University of Miami Alumni Association
  • Member, Alpha Omega Alpha, Honor Medical Society
  • Member, University of Miami, School of Medicine,  Alumni Association
  • Member, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Orthopaedic Surgeon Alumni
  • Member, Alumni Association of Hospital for Special Surgery
  • Member, New York Presbyterian Hospital Alumni Association
  • Member, North American Spine Society
  • Member, HSS Spine Fellowship Alumni Association
  • Member, AO Spine North America
  • Member, Medical Society of the State of New York
  • Member, International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (Formerly Spinal Arthroplasty Society)
  • Member, NYS Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Member, Eastern Orthopaedic Association
  • Member, The American Orthopaedic Association
  • Member, EuroSpine
  • Member, South Carolina Spine Society
  • Active Fellow, Scoliosis Research Society

Insurance Information

Most major insurance plans accepted.

For more details, please contact Dr. Sama’s insurance billing contact.
Click to email Robert Majewski

For over 20 years, Dr. Sama has specialized in the diagnosis and surgical management of all traumatic, degenerative and deformity-related spine conditions. He takes an integrated, personalized approach to spine care, delving into the individual cause of each patient’s condition. This allows Dr. Sama to specifically design a treatment plan based on a patient’s unique needs, leading to a superior level of care and the best possible outcomes.

Dr. Sama has received “Patients Choice” and “Compassionate Care” awards and has consecutively been listed as one of the “Best Orthopedic Doctors” among a select group of surgeons in New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors” issue since 2014. 

Dr. Sama’s clinical interests include complex spine surgery, minimally invasive lateral lumbar fusions, non-fusion and motion preservation technologies, and microsurgery. Dr. Sama also has a keen interest in disorders of the cervical spine and sports-related injuries. He is a spinal consultant with the medical staff of the United States Olympic Committee. He is also on the editorial board of Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine and serves as a reviewer for the journals, Spine and Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research. A complete list of Dr. Sama’s published research can be viewed here.

Dr. Sama is an active member of many spine societies, academic committees and editorial review boards, including the North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society, the International Society for the Advancement of Spine, the Eastern Orthopaedic Society and AOA Spine North America. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

As per the respective State Board of Medical Examiners, Dr. Sama is licensed to practice medicine in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.

Meet Dr. Andrew Sama Of SpineCare Of NY

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What Our Patients Are Saying

We are dedicated to delivering expert and compassionate care at SpineCare of NY. Check out our reviews to hear the stories of our incredible patients.  

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Dr. Hughes is a genius! Though I’m still not 100%, I’m 99%. I have recommended him to several people for surgery. I don’t know if they contacted his office but if they haven’t more the fool them. He is the only surgeon for my back.

Loretta F.
star

Dr. Hughes is an amazing spinal surgeon. He does a great physical examination along with understanding the imaging. My operation for spinal stenosis went well and I started walking the next morning and came home the day after. The office is very responsive even though VERY busy. I went from a wreck to a mobile oldster in a vet short time.

David R.
star

You can’t find a better surgical facility than the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in NYC. It is state of the art for medical procedures combined with top notch doctors employing cutting edge technologies. Dr. Frank Cammisa is the best spinal surgeon in the country and a terrific and compassionate physician who takes the time to meet with you and analyze and discuss your particular situation. I can’t say enough about HSS and Dr. Cammisa and his staff.

Rudy M.
star