History
My philosophy of care is quite simple: to give my patients the best care possible. Each patient is treated as an individual with unique needs. My team understands the challenges facing patients with spinal disorders. Our team approach is utilized to enable timely, effective diagnoses and treatment options. Many surgeons are quick to operate. In my practice, non-operative options are exhausted first. In cases where symptoms persist, my goal is to achieve the best long-term results using the least invasive techniques, thus minimizing risks and improving recovery time. Minimally invasive spine surgery. My areas of special intellectual interest and clinical expertise center around minimally invasive techniques, which use tubular retractors instead of larger incisions, state-of-the-art technologies, and computer-assisted navigation. This all allows me to deliver the best solutions to my patients' spine issues with the least amount of invasion.
Specialties
Dr. Lemma is a board-certified orthopaedic spine surgeon who serves as Director of Spine Surgery at Medstar Good Samaritan Hospital (GSH) and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins University. A native of New York, Dr. Lemma completed his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He later went to Case Western's School of Medicine, where he was elected into the AOA Medical Honor Society. Orthopedic surgery served as a perfect match for his medical and engineering background. Dr. Lemma completed his orthopedic surgery residency and fellowship in spinal reconstructive surgery at Johns Hopkins and later served as Division Chief of Johns Hopkins at GSH. He has published several book chapters and peer-reviewed articles and continues to be active in resident and physician education. His clinical interests include the treatment of a wide range of spine pathologies using techniques ranging from minimally invasive spine surgery to complex spine reconstruction. Dr. Lemma works closely with his surgeon partners as well as his physician's assistant, Stephen Harris, PA-C and his office coordinator, Calandra Jackson, both of whom have a wealth of experience in the coordination of your care. She is available at 443-444-4786.