# Best Spine Surgeons in Illinois (October 2026)

Updated October 2026. Source: https://bestdocs.us/illinois/spine-surgeons/

Dr. Sean Salehi ranks first with a score of 83.4: 4.9 stars from 160 Google reviews; 30 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment. Dr. Timothy Vanfleet ranks second with a score of 82.0: 4.8 stars from 273 Google reviews; 34 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment. Dr. Anis Mekhail ranks third with a score of 81.6: 4.8 stars from 212 Google reviews; 39 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment.

1. **Sean Salehi, MD** — Spine Surgeon, Mokena, IL. Score 83.4. Google 4.9 from 160 reviews; 30 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment; enrolled in Illinois Medicaid. [Profile](https://bestdocs.us/doctor/sean-salehi-spine-surgeon-mokena-1326006842/)
2. **Timothy Vanfleet, MD** — Spine Surgeon, Springfield, IL. Score 82.0. Google 4.8 from 273 reviews; 34 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment; enrolled in Illinois Medicaid. [Profile](https://bestdocs.us/doctor/timothy-vanfleet-spine-surgeon-springfield-1629057419/)
3. **Anis Mekhail, MD** — Spine Surgeon, Palos Heights, IL. Score 81.6. Google 4.8 from 212 reviews; 39 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment; enrolled in Illinois Medicaid. [Profile](https://bestdocs.us/doctor/anis-mekhail-spine-surgeon-palos-heights-1700884723/)
4. **Anthony Rinella, MD** — Spine Surgeon, Naperville, IL. Score 80.9. Google 4.9 from 73 reviews; 30 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment; enrolled in Illinois Medicaid. [Profile](https://bestdocs.us/doctor/anthony-rinella-spine-surgeon-naperville-1811961147/)
5. **William Payne, MD** — Spine Surgeon, Springfield, IL. Score 80.5. Google 4.9 from 264 reviews; 26 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment; enrolled in Illinois Medicaid. [Profile](https://bestdocs.us/doctor/william-payne-spine-surgeon-springfield-1740282847/)
6. **Christopher Dewald, MD** — Spine Surgeon, Chicago, IL. Score 79.8. Google 4.9 from 54 reviews; 39 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment; enrolled in Illinois Medicaid. [Profile](https://bestdocs.us/doctor/christopher-dewald-spine-surgeon-chicago-1952334948/)
7. **John Ruge, MD** — Spine Surgeon, Park Ridge, IL. Score 78.6. Google 5.0 from 27 reviews; 43 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment; enrolled in Illinois Medicaid. [Profile](https://bestdocs.us/doctor/john-ruge-spine-surgeon-park-ridge-1538166301/)
8. **Daniel Mulconrey, MD** — Spine Surgeon, Peoria, IL. Score 78.1. Google 4.9 from 151 reviews; 25 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment; enrolled in Illinois Medicaid. [Profile](https://bestdocs.us/doctor/daniel-mulconrey-spine-surgeon-peoria-1710914064/)
9. **Egon Doppenberg, MD** — Spine Surgeon, Downers Grove, IL. Score 76.8. Google 5.0 from 16 reviews; 32 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment; enrolled in Illinois Medicaid. [Profile](https://bestdocs.us/doctor/egon-doppenberg-spine-surgeon-downers-grove-1083602551/)
10. **Avi Bernstein, MD** — Spine Surgeon, Park Ridge, IL. Score 76.2. Google 4.8 from 24 reviews; 41 years since medical school; accepts Medicare assignment; enrolled in Illinois Medicaid. [Profile](https://bestdocs.us/doctor/avi-bernstein-spine-surgeon-park-ridge-1740325927/)

Ranked by the BestDocs score (https://bestdocs.us/methodology/), weighted toward independent third-party verified patient reviews (60%) over public anonymous reviews (40%). Sponsored placements never change rank.