Roman G Guerrero, MD

Orthopedic Spine Surgery Expert

I’m a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon who joined Summit in 2019. I treat conditions of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, better known as the neck, middle back, and lower back.

I became a spine surgeon because I was drawn to the spine’s complexity. It’s a very complex biomechanical structure, involving not only the musculoskeletal system but the nervous system as well. Patients can experience symptoms in a wide variety of ways, which requires a thorough diagnostic process in order to determine the right treatment. Finding the true cause, which could come from a musculoskeletal condition, an underlying neurological condition, or some combination, can result in very different treatment plans. For example, two patients can have the same problem, but the surgery that is necessary for them is completely different.

Modern medicine is so specialized that it can be easy to lose the holistic sense of what it means to be a physician. When a patient comes to see us with back or nerve pain, we are trained to treat the condition. But we should also take a step back from the condition to look at the patient as a whole person. They are more than the condition that brought them to my office. That’s my philosophy, and I think my patients appreciate my approach.

When I’m considering recommending surgery, I take a comprehensive view that considers the patient holistically, from understanding the symptoms to achieving a diagnosis, to creating a treatment plan, to forming a decision-making partnership with the patient. Taking a broader approach — considering the patient’s problem as a doctor, not just as a surgeon — brings me great joy.

Dr. Roman Guerrero’s Approach to Care

Many patients with low back pain get dismissed by other doctors — because back pain is so common, some providers see it as a normal part of aging. I don’t view it that way. And getting to the bottom of the question of why a patient is having pain, and giving them answers and a degree of validation, is great.

My goal is always to provide evidence-based treatment and care. But for me, the most important part, which aligns with my personal values, is to make the patient feel that they’re being heard. That is very important. I want patients to feel comfortable sharing the nuances of their problem with me — they are not just a number in my schedule. They’re a human being in my practice.

It’s important to me to do my best and provide my time, expertise, and passion to every single one of my patients to give them the answers, treatment, and compassion they need. Many patients come in who are suffering or in pain, and that’s a vulnerable place to be. I strive to do my best for each one of my patients, and to be able to be a helping hand for them is truly rewarding.

Dr. Roman Guerrero’s Outside Interests

I love music, the outdoors, and learning about new cultures. I like to play guitar, both classical and electric blues guitar. I also love to ride my bike. Those are my two hobbies. My family and I love to travel, and we try to learn from new places every time we take a trip.