Dr. J has been holding clinics across Montana since 1993, with regular visits to Great Falls, Kalispell, Helena, Missoula, and Billings. These clinics continue a long-standing family legacy—Montana Neurosurgical Clinic was originally established in 1948 by his father, Dr. Alexander Johnson, in the very same facility.
The Premier Spine Practice led by Dr. J. Patrick Johnson, MD, born in Great Falls Montana, is a world renowned academic spinal neurosurgeon in Los Angeles switch clinics in Santa Ynez California, Great Falls Montana and Dallas/Ft Worth Texas. Dr. Johnson is an international leader in advanced spine surgery for 30 years as Director of the UCLA Spine Center and now Cedars Sinai Spine Center the premiere institution in Los Angeles for spine care. As a spinal neurosurgeon, Dr. Johnson's expertise encompasses the entire spectrum of complex spinal disorders. He is also an NFL concussion and neurosurgical specialist on the LA Rams sidelines on most Sundays.
Nestled in the majestic landscape of Great Falls, Montana, a legacy of healing began with his father, Alexander C. Johnson, MD, the state’s very first neurosurgeon. Arriving from Richmond, Virginia in 1948, his pioneering spirit paved the way for a family tradition of excellence in neurosurgery. Following in his father’s formidable footsteps, J. Patrick Johnson, MD, was raised on their family cattle ranch in Central Montana, where the rugged spirit of a cowboy shaped his character.
J. Patrick’s upbringing instilled in him a commitment to hard work and resilience. His journey took him far from the open fields of Montana, starting with his education at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina. There, he honed his discipline and leadership skills before embarking on the rigorous path of medical training at Oregon Health Sciences University. His dedication culminated in an intensive neurosurgery internship and residency at UCLA, then complemented by an esteemed neurosurgical and spinal fellowship at the legendary Queen's Square National Hospital for Neurosurgery in London at the University College of London (UCL) and an additional spine fellowship at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.
Dr. Johnson reached out to his Montana roots, establishing clinics to care for patients in Great Falls and the Ft. Harrison Veterans Medical Center in Helena. His commitment to his home state shines through as he continues to serve patients across various Montana cities, including Missoula, Billings, and Kalispell. Since 2001, Dr. Johnson has led the Spine Center of Excellence at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
He has become a world-renowned spine surgeon, specializing in artificial disc surgery—an area he has mastered for more than 23 years. His extensive expertise encompasses a full spectrum of complex spinal conditions, including degenerative issues, scoliosis, traumatic injuries, tumors, infections, and more. Dr. Johnson has performed over 12,000 spinal surgeries and has been pivotal in pioneering innovative surgical techniques, from computer-guided applications to minimally invasive procedures.
His clientele reflects the scope of his influence, catering to esteemed physicians, business moguls, entertainers, everyday individuals, and professional athletes—particularly those in equestrian sports and the NFL. As a sideline concussion consultant for the NFL at Los Angeles Rams games, he plays a crucial role in safeguarding players on game days at Sofi Stadium. Beyond his clinical achievements, Dr. Johnson is also a prolific educator and researcher.
With over 500 presentations and publications to his name, he contributes to advancing knowledge in spinal disorders and emerging technologies. He has mentored over 200 postgraduate neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons and shares his expertise at national and international conferences, ensuring through education from the Spine Institute Foundation that Dr Johnson founded that the next generation of spine specialists are prepared to be the future leaders in spinal surgery.
For more information about Dr. J. Patrick Johnson and his esteemed Spine Practice, visit their official websites: