At Spine Medicine & Surgery of Long Island, our team is divided into board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeons and board-certified pain management specialists. This collaborative structure allows us to provide truly comprehensive spine care—from conservative, non-surgical treatments to advanced minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures—all under one roof.
Doctors
Meet Our Long Island Spine Doctors
professional affiliations
An Award-Winning, Nationally Recognized Team
Our physicians are among the most accomplished and respected spine specialists in the country. Trained at leading institutions, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, NYU, UCSF, Baylor, and MD Anderson, they bring world-class expertise to Long Island. Collectively, our team has earned national awards, leadership honors, and recognition for their clinical excellence, research, and innovation in spine and pain care.
NYU President’s Service Award
EOA Resident Travel Award
Yale O. Donald Chrisman Award for Best Chief Resident Research Thesis.
Top 5% in Research Productivity
2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Town of Oyster Bay Women of Distinction Award (2025)
Boston Scientific: Basivertebral Nerve Ablation Center of Excellence Designation (2024)
New York Super Doctor: Rising Star (Super Doctors® 2024)
North America’s Greek American 40 Under 40 Award, Greek America Foundation (2022)
Excellence in Leadership & Service Award, New York Society of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (2019)
Excellence in Leadership & Service Award, New York Society of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (2017)
Leo M. Davidoff Society Award for significant contribution to medical education (2015)
Orthopaedic Spine Surgeons
Our board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeons are nationally recognized experts in minimally invasive treatments. From robotic and endoscopic spine surgery to total disc replacement, they utilize state-of-the-art technology and techniques to help patients achieve lasting relief with minimal downtime.
Dr. Daniel Choi
Founder & Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon
Dr. Choi is a Harvard-trained, board-certified orthopaedic spine surgeon in Long Island and New Jersey. As an internationally renowned pioneer in minimally invasive procedures, including robotic spine surgery and cervical disc replacement, he has helped thousands of patients experience life-changing results.
Dr. Courtney Toombs
Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon
Dr. Toombs completed her Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at Yale New Haven Hospital and a Spine Surgery Fellowship at NYU Langone Hospital. She is specially trained in advanced surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted and endoscopic spine surgery.
Dr. Justin Ledesma
Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon
Dr. Ledesma trained at Stanford, UCSF, and the San Diego Spine Foundation. He is nationally recognized for minimally invasive spine surgery, disc replacement, and robotic and endoscopic spine procedures. He takes a patient-first approach to treat individuals with a range of complex spine conditions.
Pain Management Physicians
Our pain management specialists focus on restoring function and quality of life through advanced, non-surgical treatments for joint, facial, neck, back, and cancer pain. They take a patient-centered, multimodal approach that addresses pain from every angle to provide safe, effective, and lasting relief.
Dr. Antigone Argyrioui
Pain Management Specialist
Dr. Argyriou is double board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. She takes a multimodal approach to help patients find relief from acute and chronic pain. She offers a variety of leading-edge non-surgical solutions, ranging from platelet-rich plasma injections to radiofrequency ablations.
Dr. Marissa Catalanotto
Pain Management Specialist
Fellowship-trained at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Catalanotto specializes in chronic musculoskeletal and cancer-related pain. She has expertise in advanced interventions, including neuromodulation, vertebral augmentation, intrathecal drug delivery, and multidisciplinary pain management.
What Type of Spine Specialist Should I See?
Depending on your specific condition and the severity of your symptoms, many patients start with interventional pain management before considering spine surgery. At Spine Medicine & Surgery of Long Island, our team works collaboratively to ensure you get the right care at the right time.
Our pain management physicians specialize in non-surgical options designed to relieve pain and improve mobility, such as targeted injections, nerve blocks, and regenerative or advanced interventional therapies.
If conservative treatments don’t provide sufficient relief, our orthopaedic spine surgeons can offer minimally invasive procedures, including robotic, endoscopic, and motion-preserving techniques.
No matter where you begin, you’ll benefit from a team-based approach focused on your comfort, function, and long-term recovery.
What to Expect at Your Consultation
Step 1: Discuss Your Concerns
Your visit begins with an in-depth conversation with one of our Long Island spine specialists. They’ll chat with you about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle to understand how your pain impacts your day-to-day. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and share your goals for treatment.
Step 2: Comprehensive Evaluation
Next, your physician will perform a focused physical exam to assess your spine, joints, and range of motion. Depending on your condition, they may recommend imaging tests, such as an x-ray, MRI, or CT scan, to get a clearer picture of what’s happening beneath the surface.
Step 3: Personalized Treatment Plan
Once your evaluation is complete and you’ve had the requested imaging tests, your doctor will review the findings and walk you through your diagnosis. You’ll receive a personalized treatment plan that may include non-surgical options like physical therapy, injections, or medication, or, if needed, a surgical consultation. Your comfort and recovery are our top priorities, and every recommendation is tailored to your unique needs.
