New Neurosurgery Chief at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center

St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center, an affiliate of Catholic Health Services of Long Island, appointed Ramin Rak M.D. as chief of its Department of Neurosurgery, with the new role beginning January 1, 2026. Dr. Rak joins the Smithtown hospital as an attending neurosurgeon and senior partner at NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery and brings extensive clinical experience in adult brain tumors, skull base disease and degenerative and traumatic spinal conditions.

Dr. Rak is known for expertise in minimally invasive approaches to complex spine surgery and has practiced on Long Island for nearly two decades. His leadership background includes a 2020 appointment as Director and Liaison of Neurological Trauma at Mount Sinai South Nassau, as well as service as president of the Suffolk County Medical Society and the New York State Neurosurgical Society. Those roles signal experience with trauma systems coordination, professional advocacy and regional clinical collaboration.

For Suffolk County residents, the appointment could affect both acute and elective neurosurgical care. St. Catherine serves as a community hospital for Smithtown and surrounding towns; leadership changes in surgical departments often shape referral pathways, trauma relationships with neighboring hospitals and the availability of advanced procedures close to home. Dr. Rak’s trauma liaison experience may strengthen connections between emergency services and neurosurgical care, which can be critical for outcomes in traumatic brain and spine injuries.

Public health considerations extend beyond operating room technique. As the county’s population ages, demand for care for degenerative spinal disease and brain tumors is likely to rise, placing pressure on hospital capacity, specialist workforce and outpatient resources. Departmental leadership influences priorities for patient triage, surgeon availability, adoption of less invasive techniques that can shorten recovery times, and community outreach that targets access barriers for low-income and transportation-challenged residents.

Dr. Rak’s past presidencies in county and state medical organizations suggest he may engage on policy issues that affect regional health equity, including workforce development, trauma system funding and standards of care. Those systemic levers can shape whether advanced neurosurgical services are concentrated in a few centers or more broadly accessible across Suffolk County.

Residents seeking more information about Dr. Rak’s clinical practice and services can consult NSPC’s website for details on procedures, referral information and appointment options. As leadership at St. Catherine shifts, the hospital’s approach to neurosurgical care will be one important factor in local planning for trauma readiness, specialty access and equitable care delivery across the county.