About Dr. Bjerke
Spine Surgeon, Health Educator
Dr. Bjerke is a fellowship-trained and Board-Certified spine surgeon, with his practice dedicated to the management of spinal conditions. He specializes in minimally invasive (MIS) and appropriate spinal surgery.
Dr. Bjerke's training includes:
- MD, Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons
- Orthopedic Surgery Residency, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY (Cornell University).
- Combined Neurosurgical and Orthopedic Surgery Spine Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Bjerke is active in creating educational materials for patients and fellow physicians to educate and train others about spine surgery. He has authored dozens of peer-reviewed original articles, patient-directed educational articles, and created educational videos to reach anyone seeking information on spinal care.
Dr. Bjerke considers every patient's goals and limitations when choosing a plan of care, whether or not that includes an operation. Above all, Dr. Bjerke treats his patients with the compassion and attention that he would offer his own family.
Coming Soon...
Dr. Bjerke's book ... coming soon
Rethinking Spine Surgery is an honest, practical guide for patients navigating neck and back pain. This book pulls back the curtain on how spine care decisions are really made – why imaging findings don’t always explain pain, when surgery truly helps, and how financial, psychological, and systemic pressures influence treatment recommendations.
With clarity, humility, and an evidence-based approach, Dr. Bjerke explains how to get the most from appointments and second opinions, what alternatives to surgery actually work, and what realistic expectations patients should have from spine surgery. This book empowers patients with the knowledge they deserve – so they can make informed, confident decisions about their spine and their surgery.
Stay tuned ... anticipated release April 2026