
Robert W. Molinari, M.D.
Contact
Robert W. Molinari, M.D.
View Contact & SchedulingLocations
4901 Lac De Ville Boulevard
Rochester, NY 14618
About Me
Dr Molinari's original research contributions to the peer-reviewed spinal lit...
Dr Molinari's original research contributions to the peer-reviewed spinal literature are numerous. He is the author of over 80 original peer-reviewed research publications and 8 spinal surgery textbook chapters.
During his 35-year career, Dr M served as the chief of spinal surgery, the director of research and spine surgery fellowship training, and the AO Spine North America ethics officer. He has lectured in many foreign countries, and he is a distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Earlier in his career, Dr Molinari served as the US Armed Forces Regional Expert on spine care. He still holds his military teaching appointment at the Armed Forces Medical School. Recently, Dr M was awarded the AO Spine North America Educator of the Year award for his outstanding teaching abilities in the field of spinal surgery.
Dr Molinari takes great pride in providing outstanding and honest spinal care to all his patients. His practice includes many patients with complex spinal disorders involving all regions of the spine.
Faculty Appointments
Professor - Department of Orthopaedics (SMD)
Professor - Department of Neurosurgery (SMD) - Joint
Credentials
Residency & Fellowship
Fellowship, Washington University School of Medicine. 1997 - 1998
Residency, Orthopaedic Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital. 1989 - 1993
Internship, Surgery (General Surgery), Walter Reed Army Medical Center. 1988 - 1989
Education
MD | Mount Sinai Medical Center (USA). 1988
Awards
New York State Troopers Dr. Chandler Award for Outstanding Medical Care. 2019
AO Spine North America Educator of the Year Award. 2015
Top Performer Award Patient and Family Centered Care. 2014
Patient and Family Centered Care Award. 2012 - 2013
Patient and Family Centered Care Award. 2011 - 2012
Patient and Family Centered Care Award. 2010 - 2011
Outstanding Clinical Research Award. 2000
Concerned Patient Care Award Recipient. 1995
Physician of the Year Award Finalist. 1993
Clinical Honors: Surgery, Obstetrics, Psychiatry. 1987
Distinguished West Point Cadet. 1981 - 1984
Research
Recently, Dr M was elected as the North American Spine Ranking Member of the Ethics Committee for AO North America. He is also an expert case reviewer for the NY State Office of Professional Medical Conduct.
Publications
Journal Articles
Breitenbach M, Phan A, Botros M, Paul D, Molinari R, Menga E, Mesfin A
Injury.. 2021 December 26 Epub 12/26/2021.
Bernstein DN, Kurucan E, Menga EN, Molinari RW, Rubery PT, Mesfin A
The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2020 September 17 Epub 09/17/2020.
Adams D, Midei M, Dastgir J, Flora C, Molinari RJ, Heerinckx F, Endemann S, Atwal P, Milner P, Shchepinov MS
JIMD reports.. 2020 July 54 (1):54-60. Epub 03/27/2020.
Kurucan E, Sulovari A, Thirukumaran C, Greenstein A, Molinari R, Mesfin A
The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2020 May 28 Epub 05/28/2020.
Bernstein DN, Thirukumaran C, Raudenbush B, Molinari RW, Menga EN, Mesfin A
Global spine journal.. 2020 April 10 (2):130-137. Epub 05/01/2019.
Bernstein DN, McCalla DJ, Molinari RW, Rubery PT, Menga EN, Mesfin A
Global spine journal.. 2019 November 12 :2192568219887157. Epub 11/12/2019.
Isidro S, Molinari R, Ikpeze T, Hernandez C, Mahmoudi MS, Mesfin A
Global spine journal.. 2019 August 9 (5):521-526. Epub 02/11/2019.
Mesfin A, Baldwin A, Bernstein D, Emanski E, Molinari R, Menga E, Rubery PT
Spine.. 2019 July 29 Epub 07/29/2019.
Mika AP, Mesfin A, Rubery PT, Molinari R, Kebaish KM, Menga EN
JBJS reviews.. 2019 April 7 (4):e4. Epub 1900 01 01.
Bernstein DN, Kurucan E, Menga EN, Molinari RW, Rubery PT, Mesfin A
The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2018 October 18 (10):1861-1866. Epub 04/06/2018.
Rubery PT, Houck J, Mesfin A, Molinari R, Papuga MO
Spine.. 2018 August 2 Epub 08/02/2018.
Foxx KC, Mesfin A, Molinari R
Journal of neurosurgery. Spine.. 2018 February 28 (2):220-225. Epub 12/01/2017.
McCalla D, Rubery PT, Foxx K, Molinari RW, Sanders JO, Mesfin A
Spine.. 2017 November 1542 (22):1744-1747. Epub 1900 01 01.
Saleh A, Thirukumaran C, Mesfin A, Molinari RW
The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2017 August 17 (8):1106-1112. Epub 04/03/2017.
Bernstein DN, Thirukumaran C, Saleh A, Molinari RW, Mesfin A
World neurosurgery.. 2017 July 103 :859-868.e8. Epub 04/26/2017.
Raudenbush BL, Molinari A, Molinari RW
Global spine journal.. 2017 May 7 (3):206-212. Epub 06/16/2017.
Papuga MO, Mesfin A, Molinari R, Rubery PT
Spine.. 2016 July 1541 (14):1153-9. Epub 1900 01 01.
Okafor R, Molinari W, Molinari R, Mesfin A
Global spine journal.. 2016 May 6 (3):207-11. Epub 07/16/2015.
Thirukumaran CP, Raudenbush B, Li Y, Molinari R, Rubery P, Mesfin A
Spine.. 2016 March 41 (6):490-501. Epub 1900 01 01.
Molinari RW, Kerr C, Kerr D
Journal of spine surgery.. 2016 March 2 (1):9-12. Epub 1900 01 01.
The Use of Bone Morphogenetic Protein in Pediatric Cervical Spine Fusion Surgery: Case Reports and Review of the Literature
Molinari RW; Molinari C.
Global Spine J. 2016; 6: e41-e46.
Return to Play in Athletes Receiving Cervical Surgery: A Systematic Review
Molinari RW, Pagarigan K, Dettori JR, Molinari R Jr, Dehaven KE.
Global Spine J. 2016; 6(1): 89-96.
Raudenbush B, Molinari R
Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation.. 2015 December 6 (4):251-7. Epub 1900 01 01.
Kaplan NB, Molinari C, Molinari RW
Global spine journal.. 2015 December 5 (6):505-12. Epub 1900 01 01.
Schaffer JC, Raudenbush BL, Molinari C, Molinari RW
Global spine journal.. 2015 December 5 (6):513-21. Epub 1900 01 01.
Molinari RW, Chimenti PC, Molinari R, Gruhn W
Global spine journal.. 2015 December 5 (6):528-32. Epub 1900 01 01.
Molinari RW, Saleh A, Molinari R, Hermsmeyer J, Dettori JR
Global spine journal.. 2015 June 5 (3):185-94. Epub 1900 01 01.
Intrawound Vancomycin Powder for Spine Tumor Surgery
Okafor R; Molinari W; Molinari R; Mesfin A.
Global Spine Journal. 2015; 10: 1055-1060.
Robert Molinari W*, Ryan McAssey RN.
. Int J Neurorehabilitation. 2015; 2(10): 2376-81.
Molinari RW
Evidence-based spine-care journal.. 2014 October 5 (2):126. Epub 1900 01 01.
Molinari R, Bessette M, Raich AL, Dettori JR, Molinari C
Evidence-based spine-care journal.. 2014 April 5 (1):16-27. Epub 1900 01 01.
Behrend C, Stephen George M, Molinari R
Journal of spinal disorders & techniques.. 2013 August 26 (6):E235-9. Epub 1900 01 01.
Chimenti P, Molinari R
The journal of spinal cord medicine.. 2013 May 36 (3):213-9. Epub 1900 01 01.
Molinari RW, Hunter JG, McAssey RW
The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2012 July 12 (7):559-67. Epub 07/15/2012.
Functional Outcomes, Morbidity, Mortality, and Fracture Healing Rates in 58 Consecutive Geriatric Odontoid Fracture Patients Treated with Cervical Collar or Posterior Fusion during an 8-year Period
William Molinari, MD, Oner Khera MD, William Gruhn R-PA, Robert W. Molinari, MD.
Journal or Neurosurgery Spine. 2012; .
Tandem spinal stenosis (TSS): literature review and report of patients treated with simultaneous decompression
Molinari RW.; Flanigan R; Yaseen Z; Gruhn W; Molinari C.
Current Opinion in Orthpaedics. 2012; 23(4): 356-363.
Fusion Versus Nonoperative Care for Chronic Low Back Pain: Do Psychological Factors Affect Outcomes?
Daubs MD; Norvell DC; McGuire R; Molinari, R; Hermsmeyer JT; Fourney DR; Wolinsky JP; Brodke D.
Spine. 2011; 36(21 Suppl): S96-S109.
Rigid Cervical Collar Treatment for Geriatric Type II Odontoid Fractures
Molinari RW, Khera OA, Gruhn WL, McAssey RW.
Spine Journal. 2011; .
Functional Outcomes, Morbidity, Mortality, and Fracture Healing in 26 Consecutive Geriatric Odontoid Fracture Patients Treated With Posterior Fusion.
Molinari RW, Dahl J, Gruhn WL, Molinari WJ.
Journal Spine Disorders and Techniques. 2011; .
Prophylactic Intraoperative Powdered VanComycin and Postoperative Deep Spinal Wound Infection: 1,512 Consecutive Surgical Cases Over a 6-year Period.
Molinari RW, Khera OA, Molinari WJ.
Eur Spine Journal. 2011; .
C1 Lateral Mass Screw Placement with Intentional Sacrifice of the C2 Gangion: Functional Outcomes and Morbidity in Elderly Patients.
Squires, J.; Molinari, R.W.
Eur Spine J. 2010; .
Unilateral Cervical Facet Dislocation in a 9-year-old Boy
Parada, A. Stephen, MD; Arrington, D. Edward, MD; Kowalski L. Kurtis, MD; Molinari, W. Robert, MD.
Orthopedics. 2010; 33(12): 929.
Anterior Cervical Discecctomy and Fusion with Structural allograft and plates for the treatment of unstable posterior cervical spine injuries
Woodworth RS.; Molinari WJ.; Brandenstein D.; Gruhn W.; Molinari RW.
J Neurosurgery Spine. 2009; : 93-101.
Unstable Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury With Normal Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Initial Imaging Studies
Daniel Brandenstein,OD.; Robert W. Molinari, MD.; Paul T. Rubery, MD.; Glenn R. Rechtine, II, MD.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2009; 34: E743-E750.
Cervical Fracture with Transient Tetraplegia in a Youth Football Player: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Molinari, RW; Molinari,WJ.
Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. 2009; 32(5).
DiPaola CP, Molinari RW
The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.. 2008 March 16 (3):130-9. Epub 1900 01 01.
Lumbar disc herniation:treatment strategies for primary and recurrent lumbar radiculopathy
Molinari, Robert W.
Current orthopaedic Practice. 2008; 19(1a): 1 - 5.
Anderson PA, Moore TA, Davis KW, Molinari RW, Resnick DK, Vaccaro AR, Bono CM, Dimar JR, Aarabi B, Leverson G,
The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.. 2007 May 89 (5):1057-65. Epub 1900 01 01.
Eichinger JK, Arrington ED, Kerr GJ, Molinari R
Journal of spinal disorders & techniques.. 2007 February 20 (1):93-6. Epub 1900 01 01.
Lumbar Disc Herniation
Robert Molinari, MD.
Contemporary Spine Surgery. 2007; 8(3).
Dynamic Stabilization of the Lumbar Spine
Molinari, R.
Current Opinion if Orthopaedics. 2007; : 215-220.
Morse K, Weight M, Molinari R
The journal of spinal cord medicine.. 2007 30 (3):282-7. Epub 1900 01 01.
Podrecca S, Salvatori P, Squadrelli Saraceno M, Fallahdar D, Calabrese L, Cantù G, Molinari R
Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS.. 2006 59 (2):122-9. Epub 1900 01 01.
Carmouche JJ, Molinari RW, Gerlinger T, Devine J, Patience T
Journal of neurosurgery. Spine.. 2005 November 3 (5):364-70. Epub 1900 01 01.
Molinari RW, Sloboda JF, Arrington EC
Journal of spinal disorders & techniques.. 2005 February 18 Suppl :S24-9. Epub 1900 01 01.
Sagittal Plane Decompensation
Molinari, R.
Current Opinion in Orthopaedics. 2005; : 148-151.
A unique two-level noncontiguous ligamentous flexion-distraction injury in the thoracolumbar spine.
Ketz JP; Molinari RW.
Neurosurg Spine. 2005; 4: 328 - 31.
Carmouche JJ, Molinari RW
Spine.. 2004 December 129 (23):E542-6. Epub 1900 01 01.
Vertebroplasty and Kuphoplasty:Biomechanics, Outcomes, and Complications
Molinari, R.
Current Opinion in Orthopaedics. 2004; : 142-149.
Molinari RW, Sloboda J, Johnstone FL
The American journal of orthopedics.. 2003 July 32 (7):337-43; discussion 343. Epub 1900 01 01.
Khanna N, Molinari R, Lenke L
Spine.. 2002 November 1527 (22):E488-92. Epub 1900 01 01.
Molinari RW, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, Baldus C
Clinical orthopaedics and related research.. 2002 January (394):109-20. Epub 1900 01 01.
Adult Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
Molinari, Robert.
Contemporary Spine Surgery. 2002; 3.
Adult isthmic spondylolisthesis
Major Robert W. Molinari, MD.
Current Opinion in Orthopaedics. 2002; 13: 178 - 183.
Molinari RW, Gerlinger T
The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2001 1 (3):215-24. Epub 1900 01 01.
Molinari RW, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, Ungacta FF, Riew KD
Spine.. 1999 August 1524 (16):1701-11. Epub 1900 01 01.
Molinari RW, Bridwell KH, Klepps SJ, Baldus C
Spine.. 1999 May 1524 (10):967-72. Epub 1900 01 01.
Nutrition in Spinal Surgery
Molinari, Robert; Lenke, Lawrence.
Current Opinion in Orthopaedics. 1998; .
Molinari RW, Yang EC, Strauss E, Einhorn TA
Contemporary orthopaedics. 1994 November 29 (5):335-9. Epub 1900 01 01.
Wheeler JH, Ryan JB, Arciero RA, Molinari RN
Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association.. 1989 5 (3):213-7. Epub 1900 01 01.
Books
Spine Surgery: Tricks of Trade, third edition (2015)
Chapter: Lumbar Pedicle Screws
Authors: Robert Molinari, MD
Publisher: Thieme 2015
Spine Surgery: Tricks of the Trade, second edition (2008)
Chapter: Lumbar Pedicle Screws
Authors: Molinari Robert
Publisher: Thieme, Germany 2008
Cervical Spinal Surgery (2008)
Chapter: Anterior Subaxial Cervical Spine Instrumentation
Authors: Dipaola,Christian; Molinari, Robert
Publisher: Eselvier 2008
Atlas of Cervical Spine Trauma (2007)
Chapter: Biomechanics of the Pediatric Cervical Spine
Authors: Carmouche, Johnathon; Molinari, Robert
Publisher: Mosby 2007
Radiology of Musculoskeletal Disease (2003)
Chapter: Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
Authors: Molinari, Robert
Publisher: AAOS 2003
Frymoyer, Adult, and Pediatric Spine Textbook (2000)
Chapter: Spondylolisthesis
Authors: Molinari RW, Lenke LG
Publisher: Frymoyer 2000
Orthopaedic Basic Science (1993)
Chapter: Deep Venous Thrombosis in Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: Einhorn TA, Molinari
Publisher: AAOS 1993
Ratings & Reviews
At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.