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Assistant ProfessorJakub Godzik

Areas of Interest
Minimally invasive spine surgery, complex spinal deformity, spinal robotics, lateral access spine surgery, endoscopic spine surgery, outcomes based research, augmented and virtual reality, spinal biomechanics.

Raised in San Diego, California, Dr. Godzik attended the University of California, Berkeley for his undergraduate studies in Molecular and Cellular Biology. He pursued both his medical degree and master's degree in statistics and clinical study design with Dr. Lawrence Lenke at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. 

He then completed his 7-year neurosurgical residency at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona under the tutelage of Dr. Michael Lawton and Dr. Juan Uribe. During his time at the Barrow, he completed a year-long combined orthopedic and neurosurgical fellowship in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery with the San Diego Spine Foundation with Dr. Greg Mundis and Dr. Robert Eastlack.

Dr. Godzik's research interests revolve around improving clinical outcomes, particularly in regards to understanding the how to preserve the natural biomechanics of the spine and how to best use technology to maximize outcomes with minimal invasiveness. 

He enjoys the outdoors and is an avid hiker and stand up paddle boarder. He lives with his wife, Karissa, and their two dogs, Kaiser and Rico.

Patient Appointments and Questions
205-934-7170

Education 

Undergraduate Education
University of California Berkeley
Molecular and Cellular Biology, BA

Medical School
Washington University in St. Louis

Residency
Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ

Post-doctoral Fellowship
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Complex Deformity
San Diego Spine Foundation
Scripps Clinic and Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego,
CA Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ

Honors & Awards

  • Charles Kuntz Scholar Award
    Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and peripheral Nerves
    Las Vegas, NV, Nov. 2019
  • Young Surgeon Award
    Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS)
    Las Vegas, NV – Nov. 2019
  • Best Scientific Presentation
    Society for Lateral Access Surgery (SOLAS)
    San Diego, CA – May 2018

  • Select Publications
    • Godzik J, Walker CT, Whiting AC, Hlubek RJ, Uribe JS, Turner JD. Release of Anterior Longitudinal Ligament in Setting of Unfavorable Vascular Anatomy for Anterior Column Realignment-Technical Note: 2-Dimensional Operative Video. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). 2019 Dec 18. [Epub ahead of print]

    • Cole TS, Mezher AW, Catapano JS, Godzik J, Baranoski JF, Nakaji P, Albuquerque FC, Lawton MT, Little AS, Ducruet AF. Nationwide Trends in Carotid Endarterectomy and Carotid Artery Stenting in the Post-CREST Stroke. 2019 Dec 18. [Epub ahead of print]

    • Godzik J, Dalton J, Hemphill C, Walker C, Chapple K, Cook A, Uribe JS, Turner Early surgical intervention among patients with acute central cord syndrome is not associated with higher mortality and morbidity. Journal of Spine Surgery. Epub.

    • Godzik J, Walker CW, Hlubek R, Whiting A, Uribe JS, Turner JD. Release of anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) in setting of unfavorable vascular anatomy for anterior column realignment (ACR): Technical Operative Neurosurgery. Epub

    • Whiting AC, Catapano JS, Zavala B, Walker CT, Godzik J, Chen T, Smith KA. Doing More with Less: A Minimally Invasive, Cost-Conscious Approach to Stereoelectroencephalography. World Neurosurg. 2019 Sep 18;133:34-40.

    • Godzik J, de Andrada B, Newcomb AG, Lehrman JN, Mundis GM, Hlubek RJ, Uribe JS, Kelly BP, Turner JD. Optimizing biomechanics of anterior column realignment for minimally invasive deformity Spine J. 2019 Sep 10. [Epub ahead of print]

    • Burks SS, Uribe JS, Kolcun JPG, Fortunel A, Godzik J, Bach K, Wang MY. Proximal fusion constructs in minimally invasive scoliosis surgery are successful without interbody or intertransverse J Neurosurg Spine. 2019 Aug 16:1-6.

    • Walker CT, Gullotti DM, Prendergast V, Radosevich J, Grimm D, Cole TS, Godzik J, Patel AA, Whiting AC, Little A, Uribe JS, Kakarla UK, Turner Implementation of a Standardized Multimodal Postoperative Analgesia Protocol Improves Pain Control, Reduces Opioid Consumption, and Shortens Length of Hospital Stay After Posterior Lumbar Spinal Fusion. Neurosurgery. 2019 Aug 14. pii: nyz312.

    • Wewel JT, Godzik J, Uribe JS. The utilization of minimally invasive surgery techniques for the treatment of spinal deformity. J Spine Surg. 2019 Jun;5(Suppl 1):S84-S90.

    • Godzik J, Haglin JM, Alan N, Hlubek RJ, Walker CT, Bach K, Mundis GM Jr, Turner JD,

    • Kanter AS, Okonwko DO, Uribe JS. Retrospective Multicenter Assessment of Rod Fracture After Anterior Column Realignment in Minimally Invasive Adult Spinal Deformity Correction. World Neurosurg. 2019 Jun 21.

    • Catapano JS, Chapman AJ, Dull M, Abbatematteo JM, Horner LP, Godzik J, Brigeman S, Morgan CD, Whiting AC, Lu M, Zabramski JM, Fraser DR. Association of Angiotensin- Converting Enzyme Inhibitors with Increased Mortality Among Patients with Isolated Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurocrit Care. 2019 Jun 11.

    • Snyder LA, Lehrman JN, Menon RK, Godzik J, Newcomb AGUS, Kelly BP. Biomechanical implications of unilateral facetectomy, unilateral facetectomy plus

    • partial contralateral facetectomy, and complete bilateral facetectomy in minimally invasive transforaminal interbody fusion. J Neurosurg Spine. 2019 May 10:1-6.

    • Quiceno E, Hartman C, Godzik J, Pacult MA, Hemphill C, Uribe JS. Single position spinal surgery for the treatment of grade II spondylolisthesis: A technical note. J Clin Neurosci. 2019 Apr 27.

    • Godzik J, Lehrman JN, Newcomb AGUS, Menon RK, Whiting AC, Kelly BP, Snyder LA. Tailoring selection of transforaminal interbody spacers based on biomechanical characteristics and surgical goals: evaluation of an expandable spacer. J Neurosurg Spine. 2019 Apr 12:1-7.

    • Turner JD, Zaidi HA, Godzik J, Albuquerque FC, Uribe JS. Mini-open Lateral En Bloc Corpectomy: Cadaveric Feasibility and Early Clinical Experience. Clin Spine Surg. 2019May;32(4):143-149.

    • Cole TS, Jahnke H, Godzik J, Morgan CD, Nakaji P, Little AS. Use of a wrist-mounted device for continuous outpatient physiologic monitoring after transsphenoidal surgery:a pilot study. Pituitary. 2019 Apr;22(2):156-162.

    • Godzik J, Walker CT, Hartman C, de Andrada B, Morgan CD, Mastorakos G, Chang S,Turner J, Porter RW, Snyder L, Uribe J. A Quantitative Assessment of the Accuracy and Reliability of Robotically Guided Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Placement: Technique and Application Accuracy. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). 2019 Feb 6.

    • Walker CT, Farber SH, Cole TS, Xu DS, Godzik J, Whiting AC, Hartman C, Porter RW, Turner JD, Uribe J. Complications for minimally invasive lateral interbody arthrodesis: a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing prepsoas and transpsoas approaches. J Neurosurg Spine. 2019 Jan 25:1-15.

    • Godzik J, Hlubek RJ, Newcomb AGUS, Lehrman JN, de Andrada Pereira B, Farber SH, Lenke LG, Kelly BP, Turner JD. Supplemental rods are needed to maximally reduce rod strain across the lumbosacral junction with TLIF but not ALIF in long constructs. Spine J. 2019 Jan 23. pii: S1529-9430(19)30032-4

    • Whiting AC, Catapano JS, Walker CT, Godzik J, Lambert M, Ponce FA. Peri-Lead Edema After Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery: A Poorly Understood but Frequent Complication.World Neurosurg. 2018 Dec 28.

    • Godzik J, Dalton JF, Martinez-Del-Campo E, Newcomb AGUS, Dominguez F, Reyes PM,Theodore N, Kelly BP, Crawford NR. Biomechanical Evaluation of Cervicothoracic

    • Haglin JM, Godzik J, Mauria R, Cole T, Walker CT, Kakarla U, Uribe JS, Turner JD.Continuous activity tracking using a wrist-mounted device in adult spinal deformity: A proof of concept study. World Neurosurg. 2018 Nov 12.

    • Hlubek RJ, Godzik J, Newcomb AGUS, Lehrman JN, Pereira BA, Bohl MA, Farber SH, Kelly BP, Turner JD. liac screws may not be necessary in long segment constructs with L5-S1 ALIF: Cadaveric study of stability and instrumentation strain. Spine J. 2018 Nov 9.

    • Tumialán LM, Madhavan K, Godzik J, Wang MY. The history of and controversy over Kambin's Triangle: A historical analysis of the lumbar transforaminal corridor for endoscopic and surgical approaches. World Neurosurg. 2018 Nov 8.

    • Tumialán LM, Madhavan K, Godzik J, Wang MY. The history of and controversy over Kambin's Triangle: A historical analysis of the lumbar transforaminal corridor for endoscopic and surgical approaches. World Neurosurg. 2018 Nov 8.

    • Hartman C, Hemphill C, Godzik J, Walker C, Wewel J, Turner J, Uribe JS. Analysis of cost and 30 day outcomes in single level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and less invasive, standalone lateral transpsoas interbody fusion (LIF). World Neurosurg. 2018 Nov 7.

    • Godzik J, Nayar G, Hunter WD, Tumialán LM. Decreasing radiation emission in minimally invasive spine surgery using ultra-low radiation imaging with image enhancement: a prospective cohort study. World Neurosurg. 2018 Oct 31.

    • Whiting AC, Sutton EF, Walker CT, Godzik J, Catapano JS, Oh MY, Tomycz ND, Ravussin E, Whiting DM. Deep Brain Stimulation of the Hypothalamus Leads to Increased Metabolic Rate in Refractory Obesity. World Neurosurg. 2018 Oct 11.

    • Godzik J, Hlubek RJ, de Andrada Pereira B, Xu DS, Walker CT, Farber SH, Turner JD, Mundis G, Uribe JS. Combined Lateral Transpsoas Anterior Column Realignment with Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy to Treat Severe Sagittal Plane Deformity: Cadaveric Feasibility Study and Early Clinical Experience. World Neurosurg. 2018 Oct 3.

    • Godzik J, Walker CT, Theodore N, Uribe JS, Chang SW, Snyder LA. Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Interbody Fusion With Robotically Assisted Bilateral Pedicle Screw Fixation: 2-Dimensional Operative Video. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). 2018 Sep 24.

    • Godzik J, Hool N, Dalton JF, Whiting AC, Newcomb AGUS, Kelly BP, Crawford NR. Impact of connector placement and design on bending stiffness of spinal constructs. World Neurosurg. 2018 Sep 11.

    • Walker CT, Godzik J, Xu DS, Theodore N, Uribe JS, Chang SW. Minimally Invasive Single-Position Lateral Interbody Fusion With Robotic Bilateral Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation: 2-Dimensional Operative Video. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). 2018 Aug 30.

    • Godzik J, Kalb S, Res MT, Reyes PM, Singh V, Newcomb AG, Chang SW, Kelly BP, Crawford NR. “Biomechanical evaluation of interbody fixation with secondary augmentation: lateral lumbar interbody fusion versus posterior lumbar interbody fusion.” J Spine Surg. 2018; 4(2):180-186.

    • Xu DS, Walker CT, Godzik J, Turner JD, Smith W, Uribe JS. “Minimally invasive anterior, lateral, and oblique lumbar interbody fusion: a literature review.” Ann Transl Med. 2018 Mar;6(6):104

    • Walker CT, Xu DS, Godzik J, Turner JD, Uribe JS, Smith WD. “Minimally invasive surgery for thoracolumbar spinal trauma.” Ann Transl Med. 2018 Mar;6(6):104

    • Godzik J, Walker CT, Theodore N, Uribe JS, Chang SW, Snyder LA. “Minimally invasive transforaminal interbody fusion with robotically assisted bilateral pedicle screw fixation: operative video.” Operative Neurosurgery. 2019 Mar 1;16(3):E86-E87.

    • Walker CT, Godzik J, Kakarla UK, Turner JD, Whiting AC, Nakaji P. “Human Amniotic Membrane for the Prevention of Intradural Spinal Cord Adhesions: retrospective Review of its Novel Use in a Case Series of 14 Patients.” Neurosurgery Feb 2018.

    • Godzik J, Martinez-del-Campo E, Newcomb AG, Reis MT, Perez-Orribo L, Whiting AC, Singh V, Kelly BP, Crawford NR. “Biomechanical stability afforded by unilateral vs. bilateral pedicle screw fixation with and without interbody support using lateral lumbar interbody fusion.” World of Neurosurgery, 2018 May;113:e439-e445.

    • Walker CT, Kalani MY, Oppenlander M, Martirosyan N, Godzik J, Theodore N. “Circumferential dural resection technique and reconstruction for removal of giant, calcified, transdural, herniated thoracic disc.” J Neurosurg Spine. 2018 Feb;28(2):167-172.

    • Whiting, AC, Fanarjian MP, Hlubek RJ, Godzik J, Kakarla UK, Theodore N. Posterior Reversible Encephalopathic Syndrome in the Setting of Induced Elevated Mean Arterial Pressure in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury. Neurosurgery. Neurosurgery. 2018 Jul 1;83(1):16-21

    • Kelly MP, Lenke LG, Godzik JG, Pellise F, Shaffrey CI, Smith JS, Lewis SJ, Ames CP, Carreon LY, Fehlings MG, Schwab F, Shimer A. Retrospective analysis underestimates neurological deficits in complex spinal deformity surgery: a Scoli-Risk-1 study. J Neurosurg: Spine. Online January 2017.

    • Ravindra VM, Guan J, Holland CM, Dailey AT, Schmidt MH, Godzik J, Hood RS, Ray WZ, Bisson EF. Vitamin D status in cervical spondylotic myelopathy: comparison of fusion rates and patient outcome measures. A preliminary experience. J Neurosurg Sci. 2016 Sep 2.

    • Godzik J, Kakarla UK, Turner JD. Age-based tailoring of adult spinal deformity alignment goals. World Neurosurg. 2016 Jun 25.

    • Bokshan SL, Godzik J, Dalton J, Jaffe J, Lenke LG, Kelly MP. Reliability of the revised Scoliosis Research Society-22 and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaires in adult spinal deformity when administered by telephone. Spine J. 2016 Mar 17.

    • Godzik J, Kalb S, Martinez-Del-Campo E, Newcomb AG, Singh V, Walker CT, Chang SW, Kelly BP, Crawford NR.

    • Biomechanical Evaluation of the CD HORIZON Spire Z Spinal System with Pedicle and Facet Fixation. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2016 Jan 30.

    • Godzik J, Ravindra VM, Ray WZ, Eskandari R, Dailey AT. Primary repair of open neural tube defect in adulthood: case example and review of management strategies. Spine J. 2015 Nov 1;15(11):e57-63.

    • Godzik J, Ravindra VM*, Guan J, Dailey AT, Schmidt MH, Bisson EF, Hood RS, Ray WZ. Vitamin D Levels and One-Year Fusion Outcomes in Elective Spine Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study Spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015 Oct 1;40(19):1536-41.

    • Godzik J, Dardas A, Kelly MP, Holekamp TF, Lenke LG, Smyth MD, Park TS, Leonard JR, Limbrick DD. Comparison of spinal deformity in children with Chiari I malformation with and without syringomyelia: matched cohort study. Eur Spine J. 2015 May 17.

    • Godzik J, Holekamp TF, Limbrick DD, Lenke LG, Park TS, Ray WZ, Bridwell KH, Kelly MP. Risks and outcomes of spinal deformity surgery in Chiari malformation, Type 1, with syringomyelia versus adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine J. 2015 May 7.

    • Beaumont TL, Godzik J, Dahiya S, Smyth MD. Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in the absence of tuberous sclerosis complex: case report. J Neurosurg: Pediatrics. 2015 Aug;16(2):134-7.

    • Greenberg JK, Yarbrough CK, Radmanesh A, Godzik J, Yu M, Jeffe DB, Smyth MD, Park TS, Piccirillo JF, Limbrick DD. The Chiari severity index: a preoperative grading system for Chiari malformation type 1. Neurosurgery. 2015 Mar; 76(3):279-85.

    • Godzik J*, Ravindra VM*, Guan J, Dailey AT, Schmidt MH, Bisson EF, Hood RS, Ray WZ. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients undergoing elective spine surgery: a cross sectional analysis. World Neurosurg. 2014 Dec 19.

    • Godzik J, Ravindra VM, Ray WZ, Schmidt, MH, Dailey AT. Comparison of structural allograft and traditional autograft technique in occipitocervical fusion: Radiological and clinical outcomes from a single institution. J Neurosurg Spine. 2015 Aug;23(2):144-52.

    • Godzik J, Lenke LG, Holekamp T, Sides B, Kelly MP. Complications and outcomes of complex spine reconstructions in poliomyelitis-associated spinal deformities: a single-institution experience. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2014 Jul 1;39(15): 1211-6.

    • Godzik J, McAndrew CM, Morshed S, Kandemir U, Kelly MP. Multiple lower-extremity and pelvic fractures increase pulmonary embolus risk. Orthopedics. 2014 Jun;37(6):e517-24.

    • Godzik J, Kelly MP, Radmanesh A, Kim D, Holekamp TF, Smyth MD, Lenke LG, Shimony JS, Park TS, Leonard J, Limbrick DD. Relationship of syrinx size and tonsillar descent to spinal deformity in Chiari malformation Type I with associated syringomyelia. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2014 Apr;13(4):368-74.

    • Kelly MP, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Agarwal R, Godzik J, Koester L. Fate of the adult revision spinal deformity patient: a single institution experience. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Sep 1;38(19):E1196-200.

    • Simon-Thomas ER, Godzik J, Castle E, Antonenko O, Ponz A, Kogan A, Keltner DJ. An fMRI study of caring vs self-focus during induced compassion and pride. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2012 Aug;7(6):635-48. 

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