Vijay Yanamadala, MD is a neurosurgeon and serves as vice chairman of neurosurgery at Hartford HealthCare's Ayer Neuroscience Institute. A champion of conservative, evidence-based care, he has dedicated his career to helping patients avoid unnecessary spine surgery through shared decision-making and whole-person treatment. Dr. Yanamadala became the first surgeon in Connecticut to perform awake spinal fusion surgery. He has authored over 95 peer-reviewed publications, numerous textbook chapters, and two medical textbooks--on biochemistry and neuroanatomy--for medical students and residents. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, pediatric neuro-oncologist Dr. Vidya Puthenpura, and their children, Rishi and Meera.