A leader and instructor in emerging technology and spine surgery, Dr. Kuwamura treats multiple conditions of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar areas of the spine, including: fractures, spinal stenosis, arthritis, tumors, spinal deformities, sciatica, spinal infections, and much more. Dr. Kuwamura is fellowship trained in spine treatments from the Florida Neck and Back Institute and has been in practice for over 19 years and maintains his board certification through ongoing education and training.

Beginning his career as an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Kuwamura is a graduate of the Boston University School of Medicine and received a Master’s Degree in Microbiology. During his distinguished career, he also served at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Kuwamura is a pioneer and product designer for leading medical technology and is on-site at Innovative Spine to provide one-on-one consultations and patient-centered care.

Undergraduate: Catholic University of America (BA) (1983)

Graduate: Boston University Division of Medical Science. 80 E. Concord St., Boston, MA 02118. Microbiology, Immunology (MA) (Sept. 1983 – May 1985)

Medical: Boston University School of Medicine (MD) (Sept. 1985 – May 1989). 80 E. Concord St., Boston, MA 02118

Post Graduate: Internship/General Surgery (Jul. 1st 1989 – Jun. 30th 1990). National Naval Medical Center. Bethesda, MD 20889-5600

Active Duty: 3rd Marine Division -7/1190 – -7/1191

Residency: Orthopedic Surgery (Jul. 7th 1991 – Jul. 7th 1995). National Naval Medical Center. Bethesda, MD 20889-5600

Fellowship: Adult and Pediatric Spine (Feb. 1st 1998 – Feb. 1st 1999). Florida Neck and Back Institute. 6400 West Newberry Rd. #206. Gainesville, FL 32605.

Licensure: Texas

Rank: Commander

Duty Stations: National Naval Medical Center – 1989-1990

• Medical Officer and Department Head
• Medical Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD – 1991-1995
• Naval Hospital, 10651 E. St., Corpus Christi, TX 78419
• Department Head – Aug. 1995 – Dec.1997

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

Bexar County Medical Society

-Open Technique for Anterior Lumbar Interbody Procedures followed by a minimally invasive Approach to Posterior Lateral Fusion. EBI Regional Spine Hands-On Workshop. Phoenix. Feb. 10th 2006

-Techniques for Spine Surgery Utilizing EBI & Interpore Cross International Spine Products. San Antonio, TX. Jan. 28th 2005

-Diagnosis of Back and Neck Pain; Baptist Health System. Office of Management of Common Orthopedic Problems. San Antonio, TX. Jul. 24th 2004

-When the Spine Needs Surgery; Baptist Health System. 10th Office Management of Common Orthopedic Problems. San Antonio, TX. Feb. 1st 2001

-Management of Back Pain; Baptist Health Systems.9th Office Management of Common Orthopedic Problems. San Antonio, TX. Feb. 5th 2000

-Stand Alone Anterior Lumbar Cages. Our Five-Year Results. Florida Orthopedic Society Meeting. Miami, FL. May 1998. May 1998

-Suprafascial Pedicle Screw Stabilization of Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusions. Florida Orthopedic Society Meeting. Miami, FL. May 1998

-Lumbar spine Degenerative Disc Disease, The source of Lumbar Pain; Radiological Investigations. Research Institute International Symposium. Scottsdale, AZ. Nov. 1998

-Surgical Approaches, Conventional Discectomy vs. Percutaneous Techniques. Research Institute International Symposium. Scottsdale, AZ. Nov. 1998

-Autologous Growth Factors: Alternatives in Spinal Fusion, New Concepts and Options in Bone Grafting. Keystone, CO. Dec. 1998

-The Structure and Functional of the Coracoaromial Ligament. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Orlando, FL. Apr. 1995 

-Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Results Utilizing a Compound Approach Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeons. Washington, DC. Apr. 1993

-Spine Manifestations in Neurofibromatosis. Grand Rounds Nemours Children’s Clinic. Jacksonville, FL. Apr. 1993

-Medial Complex Injuries in the Young Throwing Athlete. Grand Rounds Nemours Children’s Clinic. Jacksonville, FL

-Triangular Fibrocartilage Injuries. Grand Rounds Nemours Children’s Clinic. Jacksonville, FL. May 1993

-Association of Fabry’s Disease with Avascular. Necrosis Orthopedics. 1990

-The Role of Iron in Infection. 1985

-Blackstone Cervical Disk Replacement. CO – Investigator. Jan. 2009

Emulex – Annular Repair Study. Principle Investigator. Jan. 2008

Coflex Study. CO – Investigator. Jan. 2007

Regain – Nucleus Replacement. Principle Investigator. Apr. 2006

Anterior Column Support of the Spine: Cage Technology & Bone Graft Alternatives. Florida Neck & Back Institute, P.A. Research Institute International, P.A. 1998

Suprafascial Pedicle Screw Stabilization of Anterior Lumbar intradiscal Fusions: Atraumatic Operative Technique. 1998

Florida Neck & Back Institute, P.A. Research Institute International, P.A. 1998

Transabdominal Laparoscopic Spine Surgery and Stand-Alone Anterior Cage. Florida Neck & Back Institute, P.A. Research Institute International, P.A. 1998

Autologous Growth Factors: Alternatives in Spinal Fusion, New Concepts and Options in Bone. 1998

GraftC-Reactive Protein Levels as a Marker of Postoperative Infections in Children Nemours Children’s Clinic. Jacksonville, FL. 1993

Dr. Raj Nangunoori is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive and complex spinal surgery. He completed advanced fellowship training at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center in New York City under the mentorship of Dr. Roger Härtl, with a focus on minimally invasive spine techniques and 3D navigation technology 

Dr. Nangunoori completed his neurosurgery residency and a functional neurosurgery fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Throughout his career, he has combined surgical excellence with technological innovation, including extensive experience with robotic digital microscopy and advanced intraoperative navigation systems 

He has held attending neurosurgeon positions at Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle, Texas and Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Nangunoori has contributed significantly to research, surgical education, and the advancement of spine and neuromodulation techniques 

Dr. Nangunoori is committed to delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care while utilizing the most advanced surgical technologies available.

Fellowship – Minimally Invasive & Complex Spinal Surgery and 3D Navigation

Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, New York, NY – 2020 

Neurosurgery Residency

Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA – 2019 

Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship

Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA – 2016 

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA – 2012 

Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude)

Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA – 2008

American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) – Information Technology Committee (2015–2020)

Dr. Nangunoori has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in spine surgery, neuromodulation, and neurosurgical innovation, including:

Prevalence of Long-Term Low Back Pain After Symptomatic Lumbar Disc Herniation. World Neurosurgery (2022) 

Intraoperative Image Guidance for Cervical Spine Surgery. Annals of Translational Medicine (2021) 

Material Characterization and Selection for 3-D Printed Spine Models. 3D Printing in Medicine (2018) 

Deep Brain Stimulation for Obesity: From Theoretical Framework to Practical Application. Neural Plasticity (2016) 

Brain Tissue Oxygen-Based Therapy and Outcome After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurocritical Care (2012) 

Dr. Nangunoori has been involved in multiple research protocols and clinical studies, including:

Pilot study evaluating deep brain stimulation (DBS) for metabolism and weight loss in chronic refractory obesity 

Phase 2b/3 multicenter study assessing safety and efficacy of VX-210 in acute traumatic spinal cord injury 

INSPIRE Study: Neuro-Spinal Scaffold for thoracic spinal cord injury recovery 

His research interests include minimally invasive spine surgery, neuromodulation, spinal cord injury, 3D surgical modeling, and advanced surgical visualization technologies.