Placeholder
Rush Employed ProviderRush Employed Provider

Christopher DeWald, MD

RUSH University Medical Group
Clinical Area:
Orthopedic Care; Spine and Back Care
Specialty: Orthopaedic Surgery
Languages:
English

About Me

If we find a patient that has a condition that can be treated properly non-operatively, whether that’s through physical therapy or medication or just time alone, that’s obviously the ideal. We’re in this business to take care of patients, not just to be surgeons.

Christopher J. DeWald, MD, is an orthopedic spinal surgeon at Rush. He earned his medical degree at Rush University Medical College and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics. He completed a fellowship at Shriners Hospitals for Children and a fellowship in spinal surgery at Rush University Medical Center.

DeWald specializes in spinal deformities and complex spinal surgeries for both adolescents and adults. He currently sees patients within the Neurosurgery Department and has particular expertise in scoliosis and spondylolisthesis treatments and surgery. He also serves as an associate professor at Rush University and is the first dual-appointed spinal surgeon in both orthopedics and neurosurgery.  

“Complex spinal surgery and spinal deformity surgery require an individual approach to each patient, as each case is unique and often requires higher-risk procedures," DeWald says. “These procedures can't simply be treated as a protocol or cookbook. It often takes many evaluations and discussions that include family members before surgery is scheduled.”

DeWald has been at Rush serving patients with complex spine problems since 1994. He initially started his practice joining his father, Ronald L. DeWald, MD, from 1994 to 2005. Ronald DeWald also treated scoliosis and spinal conditions at Rush from 1968 until his retirement.

Videos

Locations & Appointments

Primary location
RUSH Neurosurgery
RUSH Neurosurgery
1520 W Harrison St
Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building
6th Floor
Chicago, IL, 60607

(312) 942-6644
(312) 942-2176
Directions
RUSH Oak Brook
RUSH Oak Brook
2011 York Rd
Oak Brook, IL, 60523

(630) 724-1300
(312) 942-3012
Directions

Credentials

Certifications

Orthopaedic Surgery

Education and Training

University of Illinois Hospital & Clinic - Orthopedic Surgery
Shriners Hospitals for Children
Rush University Medical Center - Spinal Surgery
Rush University Medical College

Academics & Publications

In addition to providing patient care, many of our clinicians have faculty appointments at RUSH University and perform clinical, basic science and community-based research. Our education and research endeavors are dedicated to enhancing excellence in patient care — now and in the future.

Insurance

Aetna
Aetna Better Health-MMAI
Aetna Better Health-Medicaid
Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO
Aetna PPO Exchange
Affiliated Physician Group
Ambetter of Illinois
Beech Street
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage HMO
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois PPO
Blue Cross Community Medicaid (FHP & ICP)
Cigna
Cigna Medicare Advantage
Community Healthcare Partners, LLC
CorVel
CountyCare
Coventry
Devoted Health
Dolton Medical Clinic
Dreyer Medical Clinic
Dupage Medical Group
ElmCare, LLC
Essential Health Partners
Fox Valley Medicine, Ltd.
Great-West Healthcare
Health Care's Finest Network (HFN)
Hinsdale Physician Group
Humana
Humana Medicare Advantage
Humana Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative
IlliniCare YouthCare
Ingalls Provider Group
Little Company of Mary Health Providers
Meridian Complete (MMAI)
Meridian Health Plan
Molina Dual Options
Molina Healthcare of Illinois
Molina Healthcare of Illinois, Inc Marketplace
MultiPlan
NorthShore Physician Associates, Inc
Northwest Community Health Partners
Northwest Suburban IPA
Physician Care Network
Preferred Plan (Healthsmart)
Progress Health
Pronger-Smith Medical Care
Silver Cross Managed Care Organization
Specialty Physicians of Illinois
Swedish Covenant Physician Partners
USA Managed Care Organization
United Healthcare
United Healthcare Illinois Marketplace
United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
University of Illinois at Chicago
WellCare Medicare Advantage
Zing Health

Accepted insurance plans are subject to change without notice. Please contact your insurance company to verify that the location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network before your visit. If you schedule an appointment and your provider is not in network with your insurance, your out of pocket liability may be higher than expected.