Placeholder
Rush Employed ProviderRush Employed Provider

Ricardo Fontes, MD

4.9
Rush Medical Group
Clinical Area:
Neurosurgery Services; Spine and Back Care
Specialty: Neurological Surgery
Languages:
English, German, Portuguese, Spanish

About Me

Ricardo Fontes, MD, PhD, is a neurosurgeon at Rush. He also serves as associate professor of neurosurgery and program director of the neurosurgery residency program. Fontes earned his medical degree from the University of São Paulo and completed a neurological surgery residency in Brazil. He completed his neurological surgery fellowship and another neurological surgery residency at Rush University Medical Center. 

 

Although he was born and raised in Brazil and fully trained as a neurosurgeon there, he wanted to pursue advanced training here. He was eager to focus on the most complex spine surgery cases and earned board certification as a neurosurgeon in the U.S. Fontes is very proud of the complex spine pathway for patients, which is an approach to care that uses both minimally invasive surgery and open spinal reconstructions as needed. He also enjoys being a hands-on teacher for neurosurgery residents. 

 

His treatment starts with thorough evaluation, followed by preoperative care that includes bone health and weight control and nonsurgical management of conditions. Fontes specializes in treating adult and pediatric spine deformity, including kyphosis and scoliosis.  

 

“Scoliosis starts in adolescence,” Fontes says. “These kids may become retracted and concerned about physical activities or wearing different clothes; it poses a huge social burden on them. Correction does wonders. It allows them to live a normal life and spares them problems later as adults.” 

 

He also specializes in complex spine revision surgery and spine surgery in difficult cases for patients who have frequently been denied a surgical alternative before seeing a specialist.

Videos

Locations & Appointments

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

Rush Neurosurgery - Oak Brook
Rush Neurosurgery - Oak Brook
2011 York Rd
Oak Brook, IL, 60523

Credentials

Certifications

Neurological Surgery

Education and Training

Rush University Medical Center - Neurological Surgery
Universidade de S?Paulo - Neurological Surgery
Rush University Medical Center - Neurological Surgery
Faculadade de Ciencias Medicas

Clinical Expertise

Atlantoaxial instability
Cervical disc replacement
Robotic surgery
Scoliosis
Scoliosis surgery
Spinal deformity
Spine surgery

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

Insurance plans marked with an asterisk (*) require a referral from your Independent Practice Association (IPA) or medical group.

Aetna
Aetna Better Health-Medicaid
Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO
Aetna Medicare FIDE HMO (DSNP)
Ambetter of Illinois
Beech Street
Blue Choice
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 IFP Connect - Exchange
Claritev (fka:MultiPlan)
Community Healthcare Partner LLC dba Power Health*
CorVel
CountyCare
Coventry
Devoted Health
Dolton Medical Clinic*
Dreyer Medical Clinic*
Dupage Medical Group/dba: Duly*
Essential Health Partners*
Great-West Healthcare
Health Care's Finest Network (HFN)
Health Spring Medicare Advantage
Hinsdale Physician Grp dba/UChgo Med AdventHealth*
Humana Medicare Advantage
Humana-MMAI (Inactive)
IlliniCare YouthCare
Ingalls Provider Group dba/UChgo Med AdventHealth*
Lawndale Christian Health Center (PACE only)
Meridian Health Plan
Molina Healthcare of Illinois
Molina Healthcare of Illinois Inc Marketplace
Molina Medicare Complete Care Plus HMO (DSNP)
NorthShore Physician Associates (Endeavor Health)*
Northwest Community Health Ptnrs(Endeavor Health)*
Northwest Suburban IPA*
OSF Little Company of Mary dba/Southwest Health*
OSF Specialty Physicians of Illinois*
Preferred Plan (Healthsmart)
Progress Health*
Swedish American Health System fml: Phys Care Net*
Swedish Covenant Phys Partners (Endeavor Health)*
USA Managed Care Organization
Union Health Services*
United Healthcare
United Healthcare Illinois Marketplace
United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
University of Illinois at Chicago*
WellCare Medicare Advantage
WellCare Meridian Dual Align (DSNP)
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.

Ratings and Reviews

Overall

4.9
Likelihood of recommending this provider

4.9
Provider discussed treatment options

4.9
Provider explained things clearly

5
Provider showed concern

4.9
Provider included you in decisions

4.9
5
A Patient at Rush - May 2026
All my experiences Exceeded my expectations! Excellent
5
A Patient at Rush - Apr 2026
He is one of the most empathic and respectful physicians I have ever encountered. He made me feel so comfortable in spite of difficult discussions. A wonderful experience with a wonderful doctor
5
A Patient at Rush - Apr 2026
Absolutely amazing I can't thank him enough!!!
5
A Patient at Rush - Mar 2026
He was very compassionate and informative. Gave me reassurance and showed empathy to my situation. Very knowledgeable as well!
5
A Patient at Rush - Mar 2026
Dr. Fontes is excellent!
5
A Patient at Rush - Mar 2026
Dr Fontes took his time to explain everything. He made me very comfortable that I chose him.
5
A Patient at Rush - Mar 2026
Dr. Fontes provided outstanding care quality. He listened to my concerns, evaluated my condition based on diagnostic tools, and clearly explained my treatment options.
5
A Patient at Rush - Feb 2026
Always is very thorough in his explanations, and orders.
5
A Patient at Rush - Feb 2026
He is so knowledgeable and helpful.
5
A Patient at Rush - Feb 2026
Dr. Fontes is one my favorite Dr's I always better about my condition after talking to him
5
A Patient at Rush - Feb 2026
Dr. Fontes is the very BEST!!
5
A Patient at Rush - Jan 2026
I feel that my visit with Dr. Fontes was excellent. He took time, explained the problem and options well, and he is personable.
5
A Patient at Rush - Jan 2026
Dr Fontes was extremely attentive caring and empathetic to my condition. He went above and beyond in answering my questions and providing me with all the information I needed. I can't say enough about the high quality of the care I received from Dr Fontes and his team at Rush!
5
A Patient at Rush - Dec 2025
Dr. Fontes is the consummate professional. I truly appreciate his care and the clarity of his communication, as well as his respectful manner.
5
A Patient at Rush - Nov 2025
Doctor Fontes was so calming and thorough and incredibly reassuring!
4.2
A Patient at Rush - Nov 2025
Dr. Fontes was EXCELLENT in how he tell his time to explain everything and answered all my questions. Very congenial in his manner.
5
A Patient at Rush - Nov 2025
Dr. Fontes was not rushed and took the time to explain what the Xrays showed and how my healing was progressing.
5
A Patient at Rush - Nov 2025
Dr. Fontes was clear and informative re: my condition, his presumed course of treatment (pending further imaging tests that are needed) and the risks/benefits of surgery. He was very congenial are listened to all of my concerns and fears. I highly recommend him to anyone needing possible spine surgery.
5
A Patient at Rush - Oct 2025
Excellant experience
5
A Patient at Rush - Oct 2025
Most excellent I've ever had at Rush
5
A Patient at Rush - Oct 2025
Excellent
5
A Patient at Rush - Oct 2025
I think Dr Fontes is awesome, I would of course recommend to anyone in need of a neurosurgeon!
5
A Patient at Rush - Oct 2025
Dr. Fontes is absolutely the VERY VERY BEST Neurologist in the world. His team is exceptional as well. The care everyone shows is outstanding.
5
A Patient at Rush - Sep 2025
Excellent Experience. Great doctor and medical team. All were caring, listened, took the time needed, great communication and plan of care
5
A Patient at Rush - Sep 2025
An excellent doctor who goes above and beyond!
5
A Patient at Rush - Sep 2025
Dr Fontes identified and described my issues with clarity that I have never experienced before. Then, he outlined a path forward that was clearer with more detail than any doctor I have seen.