Matt El-Kadi, MD, PhD, FACS, joined the Department of Neurological Surgery as a clinical assistant professor in September of 1999. He became clinical associate professor in January 2003 and clinical professor in June 2006. He became vice chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery in 2010 and has been chief of neurosurgery at UPMC Passavant since 2005. Dr. El-Kadi is also director of the UPMC Passavant Spine Center and is a member of the Tri-State Neurosurgical Associates.
Dr. El-Kadi is board-certified in neurological surgery and has been nominated as one of Pittsburgh’s best doctors in the region since 2012 and as one of the best doctors in America by Castle Connelly since 2009. He has also been honored since 2019 as one of Marquis Who’s Who in America. He specializes in the treatment of complex spine disorders, including spinal fusion and instrumentation, and minimally invasive spinal surgery for both the cervical and lumbar spine, with a special interest in the removal of primary and secondary spinal tumors. He has authored seven books and book chapters and has over 100 publications in circulation. He is an active participant in professional societies.
Before joining UPMC, Dr. El-Kadi received training in complex spinal surgery at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He completed his neurosurgery residency training at West Virginia University and a one-year clinical fellowship in neurosurgery at Hartford Hospital, University of Connecticut. Dr. El-Kadi began his surgical career doing brain surgery. The minimally invasive and microscopic techniques used then on the brain have served him well as a spine surgeon for minimally invasive approaches and has been reflected in his patients’ shorter hospital stays and good outcome.
Dr. El-Kadi's publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine's publication database.
Administrative Office
UPMC Passavant
9100 Babcock Boulevard
2 Main/Room 2096
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Community Clinic Sites
UPMC Passavant Spine Center, Wexford
12680 Perry Highway, Suite 201
Wexford, PA 15090
Wheeling Hospital
10 Medical Park
Professional Center I
Suite 305
Wheeling WV, 26003
Greenville Medical Center
Lower Level
90 Shenango Street
Greenville, PA 16125
UPMC Monroeville
Suite 210
600 Oxford Drive
Monroeville, PA 15146
Butler
103 Technology Drive
Butler, PA 16001
Hermitage
1005 Campus Circle
Hermitage, PA 16148
New Castle
Westgate Plaza
2004 West State Street
New Castle, PA 16101
Specialized Areas of Interest
Board Certifications
American Board of Neurological Surgeons
Hospital Privileges
Professional Organization Membership
Professional Activities
Education & Training
- MD, Second Moscow State Pirogov Medical Institute, 1983
- Residency, Neurosurgery, Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute, 1989
- Fellowship, Brain Tumor Research, LAC + USC Medical Center, 1992
- Fellowship, Neurosurgery, University of Connecticut, 1994
- Fellowship, Neurosurgery, Allegheny General Hospital, 1998
- Residency, Neurosurgery, West Virginia University, 1999
Honors & Awards
- Pittsburgh’s Best Doctors, Pittsburgh Magazine, 2012-22
- Marquis Who’s Who in America, 2019-20
- Castle Connelly Top Doctors, 2009-2020
- UPMC Passavant Legacy of Caring Award, 20014
- UPMC Champion of Nursing Award, 2011
Media Appearances
Coming Back from a Back Injury (pdf)
Spring 2011
UPMC Today Passavant
Orthopedic and Spine Industry Leader to Know: Dr. Matthew El-Kadi of UPMC Passavant
October 19, 2010
Becker's Orthopedic, Spine & Pain Management Review
The Evolution of Neurosurgery at UPMC Passavant
July 2010
North Hills Monthly
Matt El-Kadi, MD, PhD: His Success in Neurosurgery and the Reason Behind It (pdf)
Fall 2009
M.D. News (Greater Pittsburgh Edition)
Celebrating 25 Years of Bringing the Best in Neurosurgical Care to Our Community
February 2009
The Point North Magazine