Chen Shi, MD

Biography

As a neurosurgeon at Carolina NeuroSurgery & Spine Associates, Chen Shi, MD, is fellowship-trained in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Shi treats adults with all types of cranial and spinal conditions, from the skull down to the pelvis. He is a proponent of minimally invasive surgery when it’s appropriate because it allows patients to recover quickly and return to the activities they love in a short period of time. Dr. Shi has experience in determining which type of surgery is the best option for each unique case.

At CNSA, Dr. Shi and his team use advanced techniques and tools, such as robotic spine surgery and intraoperative navigation, that can help improve precision, real-time decision-making, and patient outcomes. Dr. Shi takes a personalized approach to each patient’s treatment plan and discusses various surgical options targeted at specific goals. Dr. Shi and his team use artificial intelligence (AI)-driven pre-operative surgical planning tools to create constructs that precisely align patients' spines.

Growing up in a medical household, Dr. Shi was exposed to the world of healthcare from an early age. His father, a neurosurgeon scientist, and his mother, a dedicated nurse, together created an environment that nurtured his curiosity in medicine. As a child, he spent time under the care of the entire neurosurgery department staff at the hospital where his father practiced in Harbin, China. Dr. Shi also speaks Mandarin Chinese fluently. This unique upbringing allowed him to witness the intricacies of medical care, sparking a lifelong fascination with the field of neurosurgery.

Dr. Shi was drawn to the intellectual challenges presented by neurosurgery, recognizing it as a field that demands constant learning and innovation. He was also moved by the rewarding nature of helping individuals in need. These early experiences shaped his path toward becoming a skilled and compassionate neurosurgeon. In line with his philosophy of care, Dr. Shi firmly believes in "putting patient care first." To him, this means treating every patient with the same level of compassion, dignity, and excellence in care that he would expect for his own family.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Shi enjoys spending time with his wife, curating playlists for every occasion, and playing video games. He also loves traveling, photography, and skiing!

Education

• Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC Honors College), Chicago, IL
• Medical School: New York University School of Medicine (NYUSOM), New York, NY
• Neurosurgery Residency: University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW), Dallas, TX
• Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Fellowship: New York University School of Medicine (NYUSOM), New York, NY

Affiliations & Memberships

• Congress of Neurological Surgeons
• American Association of Neurological Surgeons

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