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Iain Kalfas

Iain Kalfas, MD

NeurosurgerySpine Surgery

Need help scheduling? Call (216) 636-5860

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Adult

Languages

  • English

Gender

Male

Locations

  1. Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
    • phone:
    • fax:

Education & Board Certifications

Education

  • Fellowship: Barrow Neurological Institute, 1989
  • Residency: Cleveland Clinic, 1988
  • Fellowship: Allegheny General Hospital, 1986
  • Internship: Cleveland Clinic, 1983
  • Medical Education: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, 1982

Board Certifications

  • Neurological Surgery: American Board of Neurological Surgery, 1992

Additional Training

  • Cleveland Clinic Practice Management Course
  • Minimally Invasive Anterior Approaches to the Thoracic Spine
  • Practical Course on Spinal Instrumentation
  • Prestige Anterior Cervical Disc Replacement Training Course
  • Coflex Interspinous Posterior Interspinous Device

Awards

  • EDI Innovation Award, Surgical Navigation Device, 1998
  • Top Doctors in Northeast Ohio, 2003-2022
  • Best Doctors in America, 2005-2022
  • 2017 Meritorious Award Recipient, AANS/CNS Joint Section of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves 

Professional Memberships

Congress of Neurological Surgeons; American Association of Neurological Surgery; North American Spine Society; American College of Surgeons; Neurological Society of America; American Academy of Neurological Surgery

Innovations & Patents

Surgical navigation device

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 2025-07-21, Dr. Kalfas 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.

Insurances Accepted

Review a list of accepted insurance plans for our Northeast Ohio locations or learn more about purchasing a contracted managed care plan.

Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5

195 ratings, 22 reviews

The 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.

Listens
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Courtesy Respect & Concern
Patient Rating of Doctor
Search reviews
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/6/2026

    Dr Kalfis and Racheal Albright are amazing and went into great depth about my issue and possible options to help me get pain relief

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/6/2026

    Dr. Kalfas explained my surgery in very comprehensible terms and answered any questions that I had. He was very complete and his information was delivered in a caring way.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/6/2026

    I am thankful that I was able to get an appointment with Dr. Kalfas as quickly as I did.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/6/2026

    Dr kalfas is very professional, intelligent, and conscientious

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/28/2026

    Good experience with the doctor

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/26/2026

    Awesome Dr and awesome staff

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/26/2025

    It takes months to get an appointment because Dr. Kalfas is well respected so I understand why it is difficult to get an appointment when one would like to see him, which is the only reason I rated that area Fair, instead of Very Good.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/2/2025

    Dr. Kalfas listens to my concerns and issues. He takes the time to explain treatment options. But he also doesn't sugar coat anything.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/22/2025

    EXCELLENT doctor! He hears me. He answers all of my questions. He understands my physical pain and my fears of surgery (and not having surgery).

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/13/2025

    Dr kalfas and the nurse practitioner were excellent in their knowledge and care.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/12/2025

    Complete confidence and impressed with Dr. Kalfas

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/12/2025

    Very pleased with Cleveland Clinic and have confidence in Dr Kalfas assessment

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/12/2025

    He was completely relaxed, took his time to explain everything in detail. Most Doctors are rushing from one patient to the next. Dr Kalfas gave us his full attention. Answered every question. I know I am in the best hands for my upcoming surgery.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/4/2025

    Dr kalfas is exceptional

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/22/2025

    I HAVE recommended Dr Kalfas over the years!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/2/2025

    Dr. Kalfas was very professional, understanding and listened to all my concerns. I really appreciated his opinion as well as his suggestions in moving forward.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/9/2025

    Very efficient and knowledgeable Staff At the Cleveland Clinic. DR Kalfas and his staff provided me with a long term plan and treatment for my Injuries.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/22/2025

    Dr Kalfas listened to my concerns. He explained why I'm feeling pain, and discussed a surgical procedure that could alleviate or reduce the pain. He explained success rates, risks, etc. I felt very informed by the end of the appointment.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/12/2025

    I was treated with courtesy and respect by Dr.Kalfas and his staff. Dr.Kalfas was thorough in explaining my condition, reviewing my MRI images with me and discussing the surgical procedure he would perform. He took time answering my questions and I did not feel rushed.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/29/2025

    I have been a patient of Dr Kalfas for 10 years and I always get the greatest care and concern from him AND his staff

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/29/2025

    I have and will continue to recommend Dr Kalfas.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/29/2025

    Dr Kalfas immediately put us at ease when he came into the room. He did an excellent job of explaining my neck issues, and his plan for addressing them. He also gave us a detailed account of the potential risks versus rewards.