Michele M. Johnson, M.D., MBA, FAANS
Neurosurgeon
Dr. Michele M. Johnson is a fellowship-trained, board certified neurosurgeon at Atlanta Brain and Spine Care. She specializes in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery for a variety of conditions, including degenerative spinal disease, spinal tumors, and spinal cord injury.
Dr. Johnson’s mission is to provide her patients with compassionate and comprehensive care with the best possible outcomes. She understands that each patient is different and has specific needs. Dr. Johnson educates her patients about their condition and helps them to understand all of their treatment options. She strongly believes that the doctor-patient relationship is a partnership based on excellent communication and understanding.
Born in Texas and raised as a military dependent around the world, Dr. Johnson completed her pre-med studies at the University of Oregon where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors. Following college, she completed a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Johnson later received her Medical Doctorate (MD) with Honors from Yale University Medical School in New Haven, Connecticut.
Dr. Johnson completed her Neurosurgical residency training at Emory University in Atlanta and further specialized by completing a complex and minimally invasive spine fellowship at Emory University under Dr. Gerald Rodts. Dr. Johnson started her career as a complex and minimally invasive spine surgeon at the University of Texas in Houston in 2008 where she was an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and both the Medical Director and Director of Spinal Trauma at Mischer Neuroscience Institute until her return to Atlanta.
Dr. Johnson is a member of several prestigious organizations including the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves and the Georgia Neurosurgical Society. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves and on the American College of Radiology as a neurosurgery and spine expert.
With over 15 years of combined training and experience, Dr. Johnson believes it is a privilege and duty to advance the care of spinal patients and to train the next generation. You can find her name as a co-author on a number of published papers in the Journal of Neurosurgery Spine, Journal of Neurotrauma, Science, and Genetics. Dr. Johnson is one of the most trusted doctors in her field as represented by their decision to honor her as one of the “Rising Stars” and “Best Doctors.”
Through her years of experience, she has assembled an impressive team of physicians, therapists, and specialists for her patients with disorders of the spine. Dr. Johnson is committed to providing exceptional clinical care in order to deliver the highest quality outcomes for her patients, she specializes in the treatment of the following diseases and conditions:
- Minimally Invasive Spine Procedures
- Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease
- Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Disc Herniations
- Complex Spinal Instrumentation
- Spine, Spinal Cord and Nerve Sheath Tumors
- Spinal Trauma
- Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Fractures
- Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Spinal Cord Injuries
Originally from Texas, Dr. Johnson now resides in Atlanta with her husband and two sons. In her spare time, Dr. Johnson enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. Her family shares her passion for outdoor activities and sports. She volunteers at her sons’ schools and is involved in both her church and community.
Honors & awards
Congress of Neurological Surgeons
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine & Peripheral Nerves
Georgia Neurosurgical Society
Specialties
Artificial disc replacement
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Spinal stenosis/spondylosis
- Cervical
- Thoracic
- Lumbar
Spinal disc herniations (ruptured or slipped discs)
- Cervical
- Thoracic
- Lumbar
Spine Osteophyte (bone spur)
Spinal Instability
Spine synovial cyst
Spine fractures
Radiculopathy
- Arm or Leg pain
Myelopathy
- Spinal cord compression
Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
Spine and spinal cord tumors
Metastatic spine tumors
Nerve sheath tumors
Spine deformity/scoliosis
Congenital spine disorders
Neurofibromatosis
Education
Yale University Medical School – M.D.
University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business – MBA with Honors
University of Oregon