Julie L Chan, MD, PhD

My name is Dr. Julie Lynn Chan, MD, PhD, and I am an assistant professor in the Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Florida. I am a spine surgeon specializing in degenerative spine disease, and I am passionate about improving the health and the quality of life of my patients.

From a young age, I was drawn to medicine and fascinated by the sciences. My interest in neuroscience grew during college, captivated by the field’s many unknowns. I wanted to continue learning about the intricate workings of the brain and spinal cord, using this acquired knowledge to directly help others. This passion led me to pursue neurosurgery, with a focus on the brain and spinal cord, which are critical to human function and irreplaceable by artificial means. Specializing in spine surgery provides me the opportunity to use a variety of techniques to enhance my patients’ well-being, which I greatly enjoy.

I earned my combined doctor of medicine and doctor of philosophy in neuroscience from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a bachelor's degree in Neurobiology from the University of California, Irvine. I also completed a complex spine fellowship in neurosurgery at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and neurosurgical residency training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

My research is dedicated to identifying factors that improve postoperative outcomes and long-term durability for spine surgery patients. As our population ages, the need for spine surgery evolves, and my goal is to advance our understanding and treatment methods to better serve our patients.

In my practice, I emphasize the importance of education. While I have expertise in surgical treatment, my primary role is to educate patients so they can actively participate in their spine care decisions.

Outside of caring for patients at UF Health, you can find me keeping active through running, cooking up delicious recipes and tending to my orchids.