Johnathan Garfinkel, MD

Orthopaedic Spine Surgery

Jonathan H. Garfinkel, MD, MS, is an academic spine surgeon specializing in the treatment of degenerative spinal pathology and adult spinal deformity. His clinical practice includes the use of both minimally invasive and traditional open surgical techniques when necessary, with a focus on providing appropriate surgical care for patients with complex spinal conditions.

Dr. Garfinkel completed his Orthopaedic Spine Surgery fellowship at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, where he received advanced training in complex revision procedures, minimally invasive techniques including endoscopy, and adult spinal deformity. His fellowship training complemented his orthopaedic surgery residency experience at Albany Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

He currently serves as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery in the Spine Division at the University of Florida Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. In addition to his clinical practice, he is involved in the education and training of medical students and orthopaedic surgery residents. His academic background also includes extensive research experience and peer-reviewed publications in orthopaedic surgery and related areas.

Robotic Spine Surgery

Location(s): San Marco

Special Interests

Dr. Garfinkel’s clinical interests include degenerative spinal pathology and adult spinal deformity, with experience in both minimally invasive and traditional open surgical techniques.

His training also includes complex revision procedures, minimally invasive spinal techniques including endoscopy, and adult spinal deformity.

Clinical Practice

University of Florida Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery, Spine Division
September 2025–Present

Academic spine surgeon with clinical practice focused on treating degenerative spinal pathology and adult spinal deformity with both minimally invasive and traditional open techniques when necessary.

Responsible for education and training of medical students and orthopaedic surgery residents.

Training

New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
August 2024–July 2025
Fellowship: Orthopaedic Spine Surgery

Training in complex revision procedures, minimally invasive techniques including endoscopy, and adult spinal deformity.

Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
July 2021–June 2024
Resident Physician, Orthopaedic Surgery (PGY 3–5)

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
June 2019–June 2021
Resident Physician, Orthopaedic Surgery (PGY 1–2)

Education

Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.
Doctor of Medicine, 2019

Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Washington, D.C.
M.S. Physiology and Biophysics, 2014

Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY
A.B. Chemistry, 2012

Certification and Licensure

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery: Board Eligible
Florida Board of Medicine: Physician License
Massachusetts Board of Registration In Medicine: Physician License
Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration
DEA Registration
USMLE Step 1, 2 CK/CS, 3: Passed

Professional Memberships

AAOS: Candidate Member
NASS: Member
American Orthopaedic Association: Emerging Leaders Program Member

Awards & Special Recognition

Paul Clark Research Award — May 2024, Albany Medical Center Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
GME Council Resident Recognition Award — April 2024, Department of Graduate Medical Education
American Orthopaedic Association Resident Leadership Forum — June 13–14, 2023, Salt Lake City, UT

New Patient Appointment

To schedule follow-up appointments or cancel and reschedule appointments, please go to the Patient Portal.

Line: 904-816-0063 Fax: 904-996-9412

Research Experience

Hospital for Special Surgery
Research Assistant – Orthopaedic Surgery, Foot and Ankle Service
May 2018–May 2019

Managed multiple research studies, including data collection and analysis. Designed, submitted proposals for, and initiated new studies under the guidance of attending orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons. Assisted attending surgeons in preparing academic presentations.

OrthoVirginia/Georgetown University School of Medicine
Sub-investigator
March 2017–May 2018

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Sub-investigator
June 2015–June 2019

Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY
Research Associate – Department of Emergency Medicine
September 2012–August 2013

Peer-Reviewed Publications

In Submission

Garfinkel JH, Taylor NB, Tandon M, Banagan KE. Correlation of Lumbar Disc Herniation MRI Signal Intensity with Failure of Nonoperative Treatment: A Retrospective Observational Study. Submitted to The Spine Journal, December 2024.

Selected Publications

Davies JP, Ma X, Garfinkel JH, et al. Subtalar Fusion for Correction of Forefoot Abduction in Stage II Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity. Foot Ankle Spec. 2022;15(3):221-235.
Day J, Kim J, O’Malley MJ, Demetracopoulos CA, Garfinkel JH, et al. Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes of the Salto Talaris Total Ankle Arthroplasty. Foot Ankle Int. 2020;41(12):1519-1528.
Garfinkel JH, Hummel A, Day J, et al. Health Literacy and Recall of Postoperative Instructions in Patients Undergoing the Lapidus Procedure. Foot Ankle Orthop. 2020;5(3).
Bell J, Goyal M, Long S, Friedrich J, Garfinkel JH, et al. Anatomic Site-Specific Complication Rates for Central Venous Catheter Insertions. J Intensive Care Med. 2020;35(9):869-874.
Dyke JP, Garfinkel JH, Volpert L, et al. Imaging of Bone Perfusion and Metabolism in Subjects Undergoing Total Ankle Arthroplasty Using 18F-Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography. Foot Ankle Int. 2019;40(12):1351-1357.

Academic Posters & Presentations

Correlation of Lumbar Disc Herniation MRI Signal Intensity with Failure of Nonoperative Treatment — Podium Presentation, 32nd International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques, April 4, 2025, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Correlation of Lumbar Disc Herniation MRI Signal Intensity with Failure of Nonoperative Treatment — Albany Medical Center Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Senior Thesis Day, May 9, 2024, Albany, NY.
Imaging of Bone Perfusion and Metabolism in Subjects Undergoing 18F-Positron Emission Tomography — American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, September 12–15, 2019, Chicago, IL.
Intermediate to Long-Term Clinical and Radiographic Results of Deltoid Ligament Reconstruction with Tendon Graft — ePoster, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, September 12–15, 2019.

Teaching Experience

Georgetown University School of Medicine

Medical Note Taking Service — Prepared written summaries of first and second year medical school lectures.
Peer-to-Peer Tutoring Service — Tutored first and second year medical students in various pre-clinical classes.

Vassar College

VCEMS – Training Officer — Prepared monthly lectures for members of a college campus EMS agency and mentored new crew chiefs.
EMT-B Original Certification Class – Lab Intern — Taught practical and patient assessment skills to students in New York State EMT-B original certification class.

Clinical & Volunteer Experience

Medical Student Disaster Response Team — Medical student group trained to integrate with the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s in-house disaster response team and provide logistical and operational assistance.
Georgetown University School of Medicine Hoya Clinic — Volunteer in the GUSOM student-run free clinic in the largest homeless shelter in Washington DC.
North Shore-LIJ Emergency Medical Services — EMT in the New York City 911 system.
Mobile Life Support Services Inc. — EMT in mixed urban, suburban, and rural areas of the Hudson Valley.
Vassar College Emergency Medical Services — Crew Chief and QA/QI Officer; crew chief for on-campus first response agency and member of VCEMS governing board.
Larchmont Volunteer Ambulance Corps — EMT-B/Driver; mentored new members, participated in community outreach, and received the 2008 Corpsperson of the Year Award.