Spine Faculty

UC Davis Spine Center is an interdisciplinary program designed to help patients of all ages and stages of dysfunction caused by spinal disorders to return to their optimal level of functioning. The integration and breadth of services provided by an outstanding team of faculty physicians, scientists and nurse specialists at UC Davis Health System distinguish our program and contribute to advancements in spine care through pioneering new treatments, technologies and science.

Kee Kim, MD

Kee Kim, M.D.

Chief, Spinal Neurosurgery
Co-Director, UC Davis Spine Center
Professor

Allan Martin, MD Alan Martin, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Richard Price, M.D.

Richard Lee (Rick) Price, III, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery

Neurological Surgery Advanced Practice Providers

Vilija Abrute, M.S., ACNP-BC

Graduated from the University of Illinois in Chicago with a Master of Science in Nursing in 2011 and is a board certified nurse practitioner.  

Rex Ambatali, M.S., FNP-C, AGACNP-BC

Board certified nurse practitioner. Completed his education at Walden University in 2014 (FNP) and University of Pennsylvania in 2018 (AGACNP)

Ary Arauz , PA-C

Completed her education at University of California, Davis in 2002 and is a board certified physician's assistant.

Claire Basco, M.S., ANP-BC

Earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2016 and is a board certified nurse practitioner. 

 

Cassandra Chin, M.S., FNP-C

Graduated from Samuel Merritt University with a Master of Science in Nursing in 2016 and is a board certified family nurse practitioner.

 

Christi Delemos, M.S.N., CNRN, ACNP-BC

Associate Director of Advanced Practice for UC Davis Medical Center. 
Completed a Master of Science in Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco and is a board certified nurse practitioner.

 

Tram James, M.S., FNP-BC

Graduated from Sonoma State University with a Master of Science in Nursing in 2014 and is a board certified family nurse practitioner. 

Jasleen Kaur, PA-C

Board certified physician assistant. Completed her education at UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing.

 

Christine Picinich, M.S., AGACNP-BC, CCRN

Advanced Practice Supervisor for Department of Neurological Surgery
Board certified nurse practitioner. Completed a Master of Science in Nursing in 2016 at the University of California, San Francisco.

 

Faculty

Yashar Javidan, M.D.

Associate Professor
Spine Fellowship Director

Safdar N. Khan, M.D., FAOA, FAAOS

Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Adult and Pediatric Spine Surgery
Vice Chair of Surgical Innovation

Hai Le, M.D.

Assistant Professor

Rolando F. Roberto, M.D.

Professor

Orthopaedic Surgery Nurse Practice Providers

Colleen Weaver, M.S.N., NP-C

Board Certified Nurse Practitioner
Graduate School:
University of California, Davis in 2002 

Charles De Mesa, D.O Charles De Mesa, D.O., M.P.H.

Director of Pain Medicine Fellowship
Director of Musculoskeletal Pain Medicine
Assistant Professor

Scott Fishman, MD Scott Fishman, M.D.

Vice Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Fullerton Endowed Chair in Pain Medicine
Director, Center for Advancing Pain Relief
Professor

Kenneth Furukawa, MD Kenneth Furukawa, M.D.

Health Sciences Clinical Professor

Paul Kreis, MD Paul Kreis, M.D.
Professor
Gagan Mahajan, MD Gagan Mahajan, M.D.
Professor
Samir Sheth, MD

Samir Sheth, M.D.
Assistant Professor


Naileshni Singh, MD Naileshni Singh, M.D.

Associate Clinical Professor

Kevin Mullins, M.D.

Assistant Clinical Professor

Chris Shin, MD Chris Shin, M.D.

Associate Professor

Alyssa Marie Speciale, M.D.

Assistant Clinical Professor


Carol Vandenakker_Albanese

Carol Vandenakker-Albanese, M.D.

Professor
Associate Residency Program Director
Faculty Development Director