Presence Saint Joes Announces 2 Surgeons Named to Becker’s Prestigious List

Becker’s Spine Review’s recently released list of “29 Women in Spine and Neurosurgery to Know” includes two surgeons on staff at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet: Pelagia Kouloumberis, M.D., neurosurgeon, and Rebecca Kuo, M.D., orthopedic surgeon.

The prestigious Becker’s list includes women currently practicing orthopedic spine and neuro-spine surgery, many of whom hold leadership roles within their organizations, participate in research and have earned high recognition among their colleagues for their contributions to the field.

“Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center is extremely proud to have some of the top specialists in the country on our medical staff, enabling us to offer procedures that aren’t often found outside academic medical centers,” said Beth Hughes, President and CEO. “I offer my sincere congratulations to Drs. Kouloumberis and Kuo on this honor.”

Dr. Kouloumberis is a neurosurgeon on staff at Presence Saint Joes and an assistant professor of clinical neurosurgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Chicago Metropolitan Trauma Society and Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Her clinical interests include complex and minimally invasive treatments of spinal disease, traumatic brain and spinal injuries, and chiari malformations. Dr. Kouloumberis earned her medical degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and completed her neurosurgery residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dr. Kuo has a professional interest in surgical and non-surgical treatment of adult and pediatric spinal disorders and conditions. Whenever possible, she uses minimally invasive surgical techniques. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Kuo is a member of the North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. She is also currently the vice president of the North American Taiwanese Medical Association. Dr. Kuo earned her medical degree at Rush Medical College in Chicago and completed her residency at Rush University Medical Center. She also performed a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of Texas in Houston.

Members of the Becker’s “29 Women in Spine and Neurosurgery to Know” list were selected based on editorial research. Physicians do not and cannot pay to appear.

Becker's Spine Review is a Chicago-based online and print publication focused on news and analysis related to spine surgeons and practices.