Salvatore M. Zavarella, DO, FACOS

Dr. Salvatore M. Zavarella is a board-certified neurosurgeon. In 2024, Dr. Zavarella was appointed the Vice Chair of Neurosurgery at South Shore University Hospital. Dr. Zavarella is the Director of Spine Surgery and one of the founders of SpineCare Long Island, renamed NeuroCare Long Island in 2023. His clinical expertise is in the treatment of complex spine tumors, adult degenerative deformity and scoliosis, herniated discs, spinal fractures, spinal stenosis, disc arthroplasty, minimally invasive spine surgery, peripheral nerve tumor surgery and brain tumor surgery, including awake surgery for metastatic and primary brain tumors.

Dr. Zavarella completed a prestigious fellowship at The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where he obtained advanced clinical specialization in neurosurgical oncology with a focus on the surgical treatment of primary and metastatic spine tumors and performing awake brain tumor surgery. The recipient of multiple foundation grants for research, Dr. Zavarella started a clinical trial entitled “The brain and spinal cord tissue donation program” whereby spinal cord and brain tumor patients could donate a portion of their tumor specimen to study cell signaling mechanisms in central nervous system tumors. Dr. Zavarella’s focus is on treating neurosurgical disorders with a non-operative conservative or minimally invasive approach when possible and, when surgery is indicated, he is able to offer a wide range of minimally invasive options tailored to each patient.

Dr. Salvatore Zavarella understands the impact that missionary surgeries can have on underserved communities throughout the world. He has brought advanced surgical techniques for complex spinal deformity and scoliosis to the remote areas of the Dominican Republic and has changed the trajectory of countless young lives.

Education

Medical Degree
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
Old Westbury, NY

Undergraduate Degree
Biomedical Science
State University of New York at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Internship/Residency in Neurological Surgery
Hofstra North Shore LIJ School of Medicine
Hempstead, NY

Fellowship in Neurosurgical Oncology
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX

Professional Affiliations

Roswell Park Cancer Center Institute - Buffalo, NY
Laboratory Manager

American College of Osteopathic Surgeons
Fellow

Northwell Health
South Shore University Hospital
- Vice Chair of Neurosurgery (2024)

Hospital Affiliations

Huntington Hospital, Huntington, NY

South Shore University Hospital, Bay Shore, NY

North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY

Publications

  • “Can the spinal instability neoplastic score prior to spinal radiosurgery predict compression fractures following stereotactic spinal radiosurgery for metastatic spinal tumor?: a post hoc analysis of prospective phase II single-institution trials.” J Neurooncol. 2016.  Authors: Zavarella SM1, Lee SH1,2, Tatsui CE3, Ghia AJ4, Amini B5, Li J4, Tannir NM6, Brown PD4, Rhines LD1.
  • Coniglio S, Zavarella S, Symons M. “Pak1 and Pak2 mediate tumor cell invasion through distinct signaling mechanisms.” Mol Cell Biol. 2008 Jun;28(12):4162-72.
  • Zavarella S, Nakada M, Belverud S, Coniglio SJ, Chan A, Mittler MA, Schneider SJ, Symons M. “Role of Rac1-regulated signaling in medulloblastoma invasion. Laboratory Investigation.” J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2009 Aug;4(2):97-104.
  • Zavarella S, Schulder M. “Role of iMRI in the resection of meningioma.” (in press)
  • Zavarella S, Schulder M. “Awake craniotomy with low field iMRI guidance.” (in progress)

Chapters

  • Salvatore M Zavarella and Michael Schulder. “Intraoperative Anatomical Imaging.” Principles and Practice of Neuro-Oncology. Ed. Mehta et al. Demos Medical Publishing. NY 2011