Practice Locations

UCHealth Spine Center - Anschutz Medical Campus
Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion - 1st Floor 12605 E. 16th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045

720-848-1980

John Berry-Candelario, MD

Neurological Surgery

Board Certified

Locations

Practice Locations

UCHealth Spine Center - Anschutz Medical Campus
Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion - 1st Floor, 12605 E. 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045

720-848-1980

Get directions

UCHealth Neurosciences Center - Anschutz Medical Campus
1635 Aurora Ct, 4th Floor
Aurora, CO 80045

720-848-2080

Get directions

Provider Expertise

Clinical Interest for Patients

Neuro-Oncology - Primary Spine Tumors, Metastatic Spine Tumors / Novel Treatments for Spinal Tumors - Immunotherapy, Radiotherapy, LIFU / Gut dysbiosis connection to spinal disorders / Biomechanics of the spine


Care Philosophy

As Director of Spine Oncology, my philosophy centers on delivering compassionate, evidence-based, and multidisciplinary care that prioritizes both survival and quality of life. I believe in treating each patient as a whole person—balancing advanced surgical and oncologic interventions with preservation of function, pain relief, and dignity. Collaboration across specialties, clear communication, and individualized treatment planning guide my practice, ensuring that every patient receives care that is not only technically excellent but also deeply humane.


Specialties

  • Neurological Surgery

Conditions & Treatments

  • Spine

    Back Pain, Bulging Discs, Cervical disc herniation, Cervical Myelopathy, Cervical spinal stenosis, Cervicalgia (Neck Pain), Degenerative back conditions, Degenerative Disc Disease, Degenerative neck conditions, Degenerative Scoliosis, Disc Extrusions, Disc Prolapse, Disc Protrusions, Herniated Discs (HNP), Low-back Pain, Lumbago, Lumbar disc herniation, Lumbar spinal stenosis, Myelopathy, Neurogenic Claudication, Osteoporosis and compression fractures, Peripheral nerve compression syndromes (such as carpal tunnel syndrome), Radiculopathy, Ruptured Discs, Sacroiliac Joint, Sciatica, Scoliosis, Slipped Disc, Spinal Stenosis, Spinal tumors, Spondylolisthesis, Spondylolysis, Spondylolysis (pars defects and fractures), Sports-related neck and back injuries, Thoracic Pain

Education & Training

Medical Schools

MD, Harvard Medical School (2011)


Fellowships

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Program (2019)

Professional Memberships

American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Neurosurgeon


Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Neurosurgeon


North American Spine Society, Neurosurgeon


Research & Grants

Research Interests for Patients

Dr. Berry-Candelario leads our spine oncology division. He directs the center of brain and spine metastasis. One of its pillars is leading in the development and application of research for neuro-oncology care, including platforms such as LITT for brain pathology and NOMS treatment algorithm for spine tumors. In addition, he has interest in understanding the role of immunotherapy treatment for distant metastasis. A second research interest includes understanding the underpinnings of spine degeneration through the lens of the gut dysbiosis of the microbiome. Finally, in the field of spine, there is still work to be done in understanding the biomechanical breakdown of the joints due to mechanical forces. Leveraging our broad campus expertise, we are investing in partnerships to bring this new knowledge to bear on the care of our spine patients.

information for referring providers

Referral Contact Phone

720-848-1980

Referral Contact Fax

720-848-2019

Clinical Interests for Referring Providers

Our program is built on the principles of excellence, combining specialized expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and a dedicated team committed to comprehensive and personalized surgical care. We provide treatment for a wide range of spinal conditions, with a particular emphasis on precision neurosurgical care. When you refer patients to our team, they benefit not only from high-quality neurosurgical treatment but also from seamless collaboration across multidisciplinary specialties. My goal is to ensure a smooth continuum of care and to make the referral process as straightforward as possible for you and your patients.

Research Interest for Referring Providers

Key areas of research: spine oncology, gut microbiome profiling in spine pathology, understanding the connection between biomechanical engineering and spine pathology