Rachel Bratescu, MD

Rachel Bratescu, MD is an orthopaedic surgeon and member of the GW Spine and Pain Center. She is among the few surgeons in the United States who have completed formal training in the fields of both neurosurgery and orthopedics.

Dr. Bratescu’s dual neurosurgery and orthopedic training reflects her belief that a surgeon with the most comprehensive training is best able to treat spinal disorders effectively. She received her medical degree from Georgetown University. Dr. Bratescu completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Houston Methodist, after which she received dual fellowship training in orthopedics and neurosurgical spine surgery from NYU Langone with an emphasis on complex and revision spinal deformity, minimally invasive surgery, and robotic surgery

Dr. Bratescu became the first orthopedic surgeon, as well as the first female, to be admitted to and complete the prestigious neurosurgery spine fellowship at Weill Cornell/NewYork-Presbyterian under the tutelage of world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Roger Härtl.

Dr. Bratescu has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Her clinical interests include minimally invasive spine surgery, the evaluation and surgical management of degenerative disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine (such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis), spine trauma, tumor, and complex spine including scoliosis and revision surgery.

Prior to joining GW, Dr. Bratescu held an appointment at Weill Cornell Medical College and was an Assistant Attending in the Department of Neurosurgery at Weill Cornell/NewYork-Presbyterian. She has been named to SpineLine’s 20 Under 40 List, an honor bestowed by the North American Spine Society (NASS).