Dr. Robert J. Kowalski, MD

Neurosurgeon at Florida Spine Institute

Meet Dr. Robert J. Kowalski, MD

Dr. Robert J. Kowalski was born in Meadowbrook, PA and graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation, he was awarded a full scholarship and completed a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. After five years of service in the Navy's Civil Engineering Corps, he was awarded an Air Force Scholarship to attend the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. After graduating with honors (A.O.A.), he completed his residency in neurological surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. During his residency, Dr. Kowalski utilized his engineering background and distinguished himself academically conducting extensive research on spinal biomechanics. His research efforts culminated with the award of a prestigious two year grant form the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF). After residency, he completed a fellowship in complex spinal surgery jointly with the departments of Neurosurgery and Orthopedic Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. After completing his fellowship, Dr. Kowalski served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force for four years. His service included a tour as the Operation Enduring Freedom Neurosurgeon during which he served as the sole neurosurgeon in Afghanistan. Dr. Kowlaski served the balance of his military career as the Director of Spinal Surgery at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, TX - the Air Force's premier tertiary, world wide referral medical center and only Level I Trauma Center.

Dr. Kowalski is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and is a Fellow of both the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Kowalski continues to maintain his status as a Registered Professional Engineer (PE) and participates in multiple ongoing new technology clinical trials with his fellow Florida Spine Institute colleagues.

Dr. Kowalski's practice encompasses all aspects of cranial and spinal surgery with particular emphasis on motion preservation technologies, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques, and spinal instrumentation.

Dr. Kowalski practices alongside a multi-disciplinary spine care team at the Florida Spine Institute. Florida Spine Institute is the leading, and one of most trusted, medical facilities that specializes in back & neck care, pain management, neurology, and minimally invasive spine surgery in the Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa area. The board certified doctors, surgeons and therapist provide their patients with all of their consultations and treatment on a single campus which has helped thousands of patients for over 20 years.

Directions to our primary location in Clearwater, FL

How Dr. Robert J. Kowalski, MD Can Help You

Specialties

  • Neurosurgeon

Conditions

  • Cervical Spine Disorders
  • Degenerative Spinal Conditions
  • Herniated Disc/Bulging Disc
  • Kyphosis
  • Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction
  • Sciatica/Radiculopathy/Leg Pain
  • Scoliosis and Deformity
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
  • Thoracic Spine Disorders
  • Trauma
  • Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
  • Neck Pain
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Spinal Infections
  • Lower Back Pain
  • Extremity Dysfunction/Pain
  • Post-Surgical Pain
  • Chronic Pain
  • Spine Conditions
  • Brain Injuries
  • Complex Spinal Disorders
  • Spinal Tumors
  • Brain Tumors
  • Upper Back Pain
  • Acute Pain

Treatment

  • Rehabilitation
  • Spinal Fusion
  • Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Scoliosis Surgery
  • Discography
  • Reconstructive/Revision Spine Surgery
  • Neck/Cervical Spine Surgery
  • Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
  • Bone Graft Substitutes
  • Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
  • Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
  • Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion
  • Bracing
  • Disc Surgery/Replacement
  • Spinal Cord Surgery
  • Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
  • Skull Base Surgery
  • Cranial Surgery
  • Accident and Injury Care

Accolades for Dr. Robert J. Kowalski, MD

Professional Distinctions

  • Complex Spinal Surgery Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
  • Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force, Medical Corps
  • Task Force Neurosurgeon, Operation Enduring, Afghanistan
  • Lieutenant, United States Navy, Civil Engineer Corps

Professional Affiliations

  • Congress of Neurological Surgeons
  • American Association of Neurological Surgeons
  • North American Spine Society
  • American College of Surgeons
  • AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves
  • American Medical Association

Board Certifications

  • Board certified, American Board of Neurological Surgery

Office Information for Dr. Robert J. Kowalski, MD

2250 Drew Street Clearwater, FL 33765 Driving Directions