Francis A. Kralick, DO, FACOS, Philadelphia, PA, 19107

Dr. Francis Kralick is a board certified Neurosurgeon and fellowship trained by Dr. Frederick Simeone in complex spinal surgery. Dr. Kralick earned a BS degree in Engineering Physics and then completed his graduate study in Biomedical Engineering at The Ohio State University. He feels that this background in mechanics and engineering principles gives him an advantage in the technology-rich field of Neurosurgery and particularly spinal surgery. His engineering background has also been critical in collaborative translational research with the Engineering department at Drexel. He is co-principal investigator on numerous National Institute of Health sponsored grants using innovative MEMS technology for development of intracranial pressure monitors and CSF shunts. This work has yielded many patents and he has authored numerous scientific articles and textbook chapters. He continues to be committed to teaching medical students, residents and surgeons the latest techniques in spinal surgery.

He graduated with highest honors from Nova-Southeastern College of Medicine. This was followed by residency training at Philadelphia College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA where he was awarded a national resident achievement award in Neurosurgery in 2001. He has also been awarded numerous honors for scholastic and academic achievements, including scientific presentations. He was inducted as a fellow into American College of Osteopathic Surgeons in 2008. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Drexel University College of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery. He is the director of complex spinal surgery at Hahnemann University Hospital, a level one trauma hospital and teaching hospital in urban Philadelphia.

Dr. Kralick is one of the founding members of the University Spine Institute. Dr. Kralick draws on his experience in complex spinal surgery to work with patients towards a common goal: spine health. Though he strives to avoid surgery, if conservative measures fail to adequately relieve pain and surgery is clinically indicated, Dr. Kralick performs minimally-invasive surgery to reduce discomfort. Dr. Kralick performs a myriad of elective and trauma spine surgeries. His expertise in treating cerebral spinal fluid anomalies is displayed by his surgical experience, as well as in his research. Though his focus at the University Spine Institute is diagnosis of the ailing spine, Dr. Kralick isn’t limited to spine surgery. He performs cranial procedures ranging from craniotomies to tumor excisions, in both trauma and elective cases.

Dr. Kralick encourages patients to play an active role in their own spine health by leading a lifestyle that attributes to a healthy back. However, natural degeneration of the spine over time often leaves a patient with limited options. At the University Spine Institute, he is committed to providing outstanding neurosurgical intervention which entails working with primary-care physicians, pain-management specialists, neurologists and other professionals to determine the best course of action for each patient. If surgery becomes the only option he can offer, each patient is guided through the process and questions are carefully considered and answered to allow a patient to make an informed decision. Dr. Kralick and his staff are dedicated to educating patients about their diagnoses and offering realistic goals for recovery so that patients may return to their normal activities as soon as possible. It is his desire to get patients “back on track” through the least invasive options.

Dr. Francis Kralick is a Neurosurgeon with University Spine Institute.