Deborah Benzil, MD
Highlights
Languages
- English
Gender
FemaleAbout Deborah Benzil
Title
Vice-Chair, Neurosurgery
Biography
Providing state of the art, patient centered comprehensive neurosurgical care, including minimally invasive surgical interventions, Deborah L. Benzil, MD, FACS, FAANS joins the Cleveland Clinic Center for Spine Health as Vice Chair of Neurosurgery. Dr. Benzil received her undergraduate degree with honors (Phi Beta Kappa) at Brown University and her MD from University of Maryland. She then completed a 2-year Fellowship at NIH, Surgical Neurology Branch doing brain tumor research before completing her Neurosurgical Residency at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital.
Upon completion of training, Dr. Benzil started work as Assistant Professor and attending neurosurgeon at NY Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Since then, she has held several practice and academic positions, most recently as Associate Professor at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) with a practice through CareMount Medical.
Throughout her career, Dr. Benzil as been recognized for her patient care, innovation in education, and leadership, most notably relating to the wide spectrum of socioeconomic issues facing physicians, especially surgical specialists. She has been a leader in social media as a tool for patient education, advocacy awareness, and education.
Education & Board Certifications
Education
- Residency: Rhode Island Hospital, 1994
- Residency: Rhode Island Hospital, 1987
- Medical Education: University of Maryland School of Medicine, 1985
- Undergraduate: Brown University, 1981
Board Certifications
- Neurological Surgery: American Board of Neurological Surgery, 1997
Professional Highlights
- Vice President, American Association Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
- Executive Board AANS
- Chair, Council of State Neurosurgical Societies
- Editor, AANS Neurosurgeon
- Chair, Communication and Public Relations Committee
- Elected member, Senior Neurosurgical society
Additional Training
Awards
- New York Magazine, top Doctors
- Castle Connolly Top Doctors, Westchester
- Castle Connolly Top Doctors, Hudson Valley
- Plantree Physician Award, Northern Westchester Hospital
- Hats Off Award, Westchester Medical Center
Professional Memberships
Research & Publications
See publications for this provider. (Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists collaborate with industry to advance medical breakthroughs. These partnerships help commercialize discoveries for public benefit while maintaining scientific integrity. To ensure transparency and minimize potential bias, Cleveland Clinic reviews these relationships and publicly discloses when physicians/scientists receive significant compensation for consulting, serve in fiduciary roles, receive royalties, or hold equity interests related to their work. We manage potential conflicts through approval processes, annual reporting, and targeted management plans.
As of 2025-10-02, Dr. Benzil has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing.
In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.
Video
Ratings & Reviews
4.7 out of 5
48 ratings, 6 reviewsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/8/2026
Dr. Benzil is an excellent physician. I will miss her participation in my care as she retires.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/13/2025
Trust Doctor Benzil with my life.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/27/2025
The doctor is a long drive for me...but I was happy to have met with her even though it was a short relationship.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/27/2025
Knowledgeable and compassionate, she is putting my mind at ease. The best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/26/2025
Dr. Benzil is an empathetic & skilled provider. As an RN holding my DNP I can safely say she excels in clinical skills & beside practice.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/6/2025
Dr. Benzil was very efficient. As soon as she realized that a physician with more experience with Leah's condition was necessary, she contacted Dr. Vorster for further analysis and treatment.