Jeffrey T. Gilligan, MD

Dr. Jeffrey Gilligan is a board-eligible, fellowship-trained, neurosurgeon with training and a specialized interest in spine surgery. He was raised in Charlestown, Rhode Island. He completed medical school at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx, NY) where he graduated with a distinction in research and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his neurosurgical residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City during which he completed a one-year Complex Spine Fellowship also at Mount Sinai Hospital, focusing on minimally-invasive techniques, as well as reconstructive spine surgery.

His training allows him to treat several pathologies of the spine, such as degenerative joint and disc disease, spinal trauma, revision spine surgery, cervical/ thoracic/lumbar deformity, as well as tumors affecting the spine. Dr. Gilligan believes in a thoughtful, conservative approach to spine surgery, working with several specialists to offer non-surgical techniques when appropriate. He is committed to using motion-sparing and minimally invasive spine surgery when possible. However, he can also offer complex reconstructive surgery when needed.

He actively collaborates with his patients to develop the best treatment plan to reduce pain, maximize recovery and improve quality of life. Dr. Gilligan has operative privileges at Danbury and Norwalk hospitals and is currently accepting new patients.

Why should someone choose you to care for their health?
I believe in a comprehensive, individualized approach to each patient’s spine needs. Working in concert with specialists, I aim to help patients with non-surgical approaches and only offer surgery when truly necessary.

What is the most important thing your patients should expect from their professional relationship with you? What do you expect from them?
They can expect that I will spend the time to help patients and their families understand their conditions and treatment plans, be an advocate for them in the healthcare system, and work to improve their symptoms. I expect to work with each patient to determine which treatment will be most appropriate for them.

How do you spend your valuable personal time when you’re not caring for patients?
I enjoy spending time with my wife and 3-year-old son, often traveling to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking or swimming.

Why did you choose your specialty and what is its greatest reward?
I chose neurosurgery with a focus on treating spinal pathology because I enjoy helping patients get better, either with non-surgical therapies or surgery when needed. Nothing makes me happier to see a patient with years of pain finally achieve relief or a patient needing assistance with walking now walking on their own, able to enjoy a better quality of living.