Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adult 18+
- Older Adult >65
Languages
- Spanish
- English
Gender
MaleAbout Atul Kant Patel
Professional Statement
As a spine surgeon I concentrate on surgical diseases of the spinal cord, and surrounding structures like discs, bone and connective tissues. The typical patients I see will have neck or back pain or pain in their arms and legs caused by things like herniated discs or degeneration of the spine.
I view my role as being in a partnership with the patient. I take the time to listen and hear what they have to say to and delve into their issue, rather than just diving into a surgery based on objective tests. I believe you have to listen and hear what they are saying and feeling and apply that, as well.
It's important that a doctor not just have surgical skills but also empathy. I credit my upbringing for that. I was raised by a mom with tremendous empathy and an amazing ability to listen. I learned that from her and she instilled in me a desire to help others. I get the most joy in my work when I am able to help my patient do well and be happy. It is true that when others feel joy, we get joy as well.
I chose neurosurgery as my path in medicine because I think the connection between the brain and body is fascinating. Other organs in the body can go bad and some even can be replaced through transplants but the brain is at the core of you. It affects every part of you.
I grew up on the East Coast but went to school at the University of California, San Francisco. After I graduated, I wanted to be in a program where I could see a wide array of neurosurgical issues and found that in Pittsburgh. But I loved the Bay Area and so I moved back and worked for a number of years in Oakland as the chief of neurosurgery at Highland Hospital before coming to NorthBay.
Initially, I came to NorthBay as part of the on-call panel as NorthBay worked to achieve its Level II trauma designation. I fell in love with the culture and infrastructure of NorthBay and am happy to be a part of the NorthBay Center for Neuroscience. I enjoy working at NorthBay very much. NorthBay provides support for the whole patient and that is tremendously important to really excellent patient care.
When I'm not working, I like to work out. In addition to helping my physical health, I find it puts my mind in great balance as well. And I have lots of friends and family who I enjoy spending time with, enjoying good food and travel and wine tasting in this beautiful region of California.
Physician Practice Organization
NorthBay Health
Northbay Health Patient Stories
Mayo Clinic Partnership
Professional Memberships
American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Council of State Neurosurgical Societies, American Medical Association, Pennsylvania Medical Association, Allegheny County Medical Society, Society of Neuro-Oncology
Need Care Today?
New Patient Resources
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Locations
- NorthBay Health Neurosurgery
- 1860 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 120, Fairfield, CA 94533
- Get Directions
- phone: 707-646-4370
Clinical Interests
Spinal Cord Surgeries, Diseases of the Spine, Herniated Discs, Spine DegenerationExpertise
Education
- Residency: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Neurological Surgery, 2002
- Internship: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Surgery (General Surgery), 1996
- Medical Education: University of California San Francisco, 1995
Board Certifications
- Neurological Surgery: American Board of Neurological Surgery, 2010
Insurance
- Aetna HMO
- Anthem Blue Cross HMO (specialty referral only)
- Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO) Medicare Advantage
- Anthem MediBlue Dual Access (PPO D-SNP)(Medicare/Medi-Cal)
- Anthem Medical Local Preferred Provider Organization (LPPO). (Out-of-state Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medicare Advantage PPO)
- Anthem Medicare Preferred PPO Plan
- Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
- Brand New Day Medicare Advantage Plan (specialty referral only)
- CalPERS: Anthem Blue Cross Traditional HMO
- CalPERS: PERS Platinum (PPO) and PERS Gold (PPO)
- CHAMPVA
- Compass Rose Plan
- Covered California: Anthem Blue Cross PPO
- Covered California: Blue Shield HMO
- Covered California: Western Health Advantage
- FEHB: Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
- GEHA PPO Plans
- Health Smart POS
- Health Smart PPO
- Medi-Cal
- Medicare
- Partnership HealthPlan of CA (Currently not accepting new patients for Primary Care)
- TRICARE (includes TRICARE for Life)
- UnitedHealthcare AARP Medicare Advantage Choice (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare AARP Medicare Advantage Focus (HMO-POS)
- UnitedHealthcare Employer Retiree Medicare Advantage Plan PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Assure (HMO)
- Western Health Advantage
- Western Health Advantage MyCare & MyCare Plus
Ratings & Reviews
4.7 out of 5
84 ratings, 0 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.