About Ra’Kerry Rahman, M.D.
Dr. Ra’Kerry K. Rahman is one of the most expertly-trained spine surgeons in the Houston-area. Whether teaching, researching, volunteering, or practicing medicine, he has earned a reputation for serving his patients, the profession and his community as a highly capable and caring back pain specialist and spine surgeon.
AN EXCEPTIONAL SCHOLAR
Dr. Rahman has an exceptional scholarly background. He completed medical school at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry in 2005, earning his Doctorate of Medicine with Honors and Distinction in Research. He was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honors society. He also won numerous first-place research awards, including the Wilbert C. Jordan Research Forum Basic Science Award and the Process of Discovery Award.
RECIPIENT OF A PRESTIGIOUS RESIDENCY
This distinguished education was followed by an orthopedic residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia University. It was during this residency that he chose to focus on spine surgery. At this time, he won the Orthopaedic Research Education Foundation (OREF) resident grant. This prestigious grant was one of only fifteen awarded nationally. Also during this residency, he served as chief resident from 2009-2010.
MEMBER OF AN EXCLUSIVE FELLOWSHIP
Following his residency, Dr. Rahman elected to take a special fellowship in cervical spine and spinal deformity at Washington University. This fellowship was with some of the world’s leading spine surgeons, including Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Lenke and Dr. Keith Bridwell (spinal deformity), and Dr. Dan Riew (cervical spine surgery) at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
A Decorated Specialist
After this exceptional training, Dr. Rahman served as Chief of Adult Spinal Deformity and as a pediatric scoliosis specialist at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. He was also an Assistant Professor of Spinal Surgery. Leaving SIU, he returned to Washington University, this time to complete Dr. Larry Lenke’s Complex Spinal Deformity Advanced Apprenticeship. This apprenticeship focused on the most complex pediatric and adult spinal deformity cases.
In addition to the awards mentioned above, Dr. Rahman was voted Best Faculty Instructor for the 2012 PASE course, “Cervical Decompression and Stabilization”. He was also the keynote address speaker at the annual White Coat Ceremony at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry in 2004.
MEMBER OF EXCLUSIVE SOCIETIES & PUBLISHED WRITER
Dr. Rahman is a member of several societies. These include the Scoliosis Research Society (one of the most prestigious spine societies, and whose membership is limited to only those spine surgeons who meet various high standards), the International Spine Intervention Society, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Additionally, Dr. Rahman has published more than ten scientific articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, has given presentations at academic meetings across the United States, and has been involved in major research projects since the late 1990s.
COMPASSIONATE PROFESSIONAL
Beyond his academic and surgical pursuits, Dr. Rahman has immense compassion for patients with severe spine problems, especially those with limited access to care. Therefore, he has a strong interest in medical missions trips. He volunteered in Ghana for three weeks with Dr. Oheneba Boachie, performing complex spinal deformity surgery. He has plans to travel to Poland, the Dominican Republic, and Vietnam for further outreach.
Dr. Rahman is also a member of many organizations, which you can learn more about on the Societies & Organizations page. He also attends and presents at various local events that you can read about on the News page.
One of the Most Sought After Spinal Surgeons in the U.S.
Today, Dr. Rahman focuses his practice on complex spinal deformity surgery and cervical spine surgery. He is a back pain specialist committed to the surgical principle that it is optimal to do the least amount of surgery necessary for a successful outcome. To meet that end, he is very interested in researching advanced surgical technologies, and currently employs such cutting-edge technologies as image guidance, and minimally invasive techniques, and is interested in applying robotics to spine surgery. Other areas of interest include improving perioperative pain management and reducing surgical site infections.
Today, Dr. Rahman is a busy and sought-after surgeon. He serves as a Cervical Spine & Scoliosis Surgeon at Spine & Orthopedic Surgical Institute in Houston, Texas.