Kevin M. Neal, MD

Orthopedics

Primary Office

Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville 807 Children's Way Jacksonville, FL 32207 Appointment: (904) 697-3600

Other Offices

Get to Know Me

In addition to my work as an orthopedic surgeon, I help educate our next generation of physicians. I train orthopedic surgery residents during their pediatric rotations, and I am the fellowship director at Nemours, where orthopedic surgeons do extra training to learn the art and science of pediatric orthopedics. I have academic appointments at The University of Florida and The Mayo Clinic, present original research at national meetings, give lectures as an invited speaker to various medical groups, and serve on committees for multiple national orthopedic organizations. Some of the highlights of this work have been producing educational content for patients and their families that can be found on the websites of the Scoliosis Research Society, the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, and Nemours’ own KidsHealth.

Why I Treat Children

It’s such an incredible privilege for parents to allow me to treat their children. I learned early in my orthopedic training just how amazing children are, even in the face of serious illness. Their toughness, resilience and positive attitudes inspire me to be the best doctor I can be to help them and their parents manage their conditions.

What I'm Passionate About

I’m passionate about making a difference in children’s lives, and I’m so proud to work for Nemours. Nemours and I share mission-driven values, making sure that all children who need care have access to our services, and treating all children equally. I want to make sure all my patients receive individualized care, tailored to their specific needs. I’m passionate about learning new things, teaching others and helping all my patients, colleagues, students, assistants and friends accomplish their goals.

 

My medical interests and expertise includes:

  • Scoliosis
  • Spinal Deformity
  • Idiopathic Scoliosis
  • Neuromuscular Scoliosis
  • Congenital Scoliosis
  • Syndromic Scoliosis
  • Early Onset Scoliosis
  • Kyphosis
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Leg Length Discrepancy
  • Infant Hip Dysplasia
  • Fractures

Education & Training

Fellowship

  • Pediatric Orthopaedics - Nemours Childrens Clinic - Jacksonville, 2004

Internship

  • General Surgery - University of Oklahoma, 1999

Residency

  • Orthopedic Surgery - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, 2003

Medical/Dental School

  • MD - University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, 1998

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Awards & Recognition

  • 2014 Best Doctors in America
  • 2013 Best Doctors in America
  • 2011 Best Doctors in America
  • 2009 Healthcare Hero Award, Jacksonville Business Magazine
  • 2012 Excellence in Teaching – Associate Faculty Teaching Award – University of Florida – Jacksonville Orthopedic Residency Training Program
  • 2017 Nemours Leadership Development Program
  • 2018 Nemours Leadership Development Program
  • 2018 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Achievement Award

Insurance Accepted

  • Aetna Better Health FL Medicaid and Healthy Kids
  • Aetna HMO/POS/PPO/EPO
  • Alabama Medicaid/Patient First
  • AmeriGroup GA MCAID HMO JAX/GA
  • AmeriGroup GA PeachCare For Kids Jax/GA
  • AmeriHealth Caritas Florida (FKA Prestige Health Choice)
  • AvMed
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield HMO
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield Non HMO
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida Blue Select
  • Cigna & Great West HMO/POS Open Access
  • Cigna & Great West PPO/EPO
  • Community Care Plan Medicaid
  • Employers Health Network PPO
  • Evolutions Healthcare
  • First Health Aetna PPO/EPO
  • Florida Medicaid
  • Florida Medicare
  • Georgia Medicaid/Georgia Better Health/Peachcare
  • Health First Health Plans
  • HealthSmart Health Plans PPO
  • HUMANA HEALTHY HORIZONS (FKA HUMANA MEDICAID)
  • Humana HMO/POS
  • Humana PPO/EPO
  • Molina Healthcare Medicaid
  • Multiplan PPO
  • Olympus Managed Healthcare PPO ORL
  • Prime Health Services PPO Specialty Florida
  • Seminole Tribe of Florida
  • Simply Healthcare Healthy Kids
  • Simply Healthcare Medicaid HMO
  • Star Healthcare Network
  • Sunshine SMI/CMS 19 & 21
  • Sunshine State Health Plan Medicaid
  • Three Rivers Provider Network
  • Tricare/Humana Military Health Services/CHAMPVA
  • United Healthcare Commercial Products
  • United Healthcare Community Plan Medicaid
  • Volusia Health Network PPO/EPO

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Clubfoot
  • Foot and Ankle Conditions
  • Fracture Management
  • Hand and Upper Extremities
  • Hip Conditions
  • Knee Conditions
  • Limb Length Discrepancy
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta
  • Scoliosis
  • Spinal Deformities

Research Activities

We wish we already knew all the answers for orthopedic problems in children, but we’re still working to understand many conditions and treatments. That’s why I regularly spend time doing research. As of 2019, I have published 11 papers in peer-reviewed journals, written 8 book chapters, and served as the Spine Trauma Section Editor of The Pediatric Trauma Case Atlas, which is published by Springer. I manage multiple ongoing research projects, mostly focusing on the natural history and the outcomes of various treatments for scoliosis. I also review content for the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, and evaluate abstracts for potential inclusion at national scientific meetings.

  • When successful, anterior vertebral body tethering (VBT) induces differential segmental growth of vertebrae: an in vivo study of 51 patients and 764 vertebrae.; Spine deformity; (2022).

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  • Hidden blood loss in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery.; Orthopaedics & traumatology, surgery & research : OTSR; (2022).

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  • Spontaneous Lumbar Curve Correction Following Vertebral Body Tethering of Main Thoracic Curves.; The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume; (2022).

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  • Can a Checklist Improve the Informed Consent Process?; Cureus; (2021).

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  • Inter- and intra-rater reliability and accuracy of Sanders Skeletal Maturity Staging System when used by surgeons performing vertebral body tethering.; Spine deformity; (2021).

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  • Orthopaedic Manifestations of Transverse Myelitis in Children. ; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2021).

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  • Improving Quality in the Treatment of Pediatric Forearm Fractures: Minimizing the Need for Repeat Intervention With Long-arm Extension Casting.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2020).

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  • Anterior vertebral body tethering shows mixed results at 2-year follow-up.; Spine deformity; (2020).

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  • Impact of Race Subgroups on the Assessment of Vitamin D Status in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.; Orthopedics; (2019).

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  • Pitfalls with Vitamin D Research in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Recommendations on How to Avoid Them; Journal of clinical research in pediatric endocrinology; (2019).

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  • Results of Nonoperative Treatment for Symptomatic Tarsal Coalitions.; Cureus; (2018).

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  • Maturity Indicators and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Evaluation of the Sanders Maturity Scale.; Spine; (2018).

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  • Wound closure expectations after fasciotomy for paediatric compartment syndrome.; Journal of children's orthopaedics; (2018).

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  • Strategies for Surgical Management of Large, Stiff Spinal Deformities in Children.; The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; (2017).

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  • The Educational Opportunities Provided by a Pediatric Orthopedic Urgent Case Review Conference: Keep Score to Provide a Better Experience.; Journal of surgical education; (2017).

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  • Cuboid-navicular coalition in pediatrics a systematic review and report; Current Orthopedic Practice; (2016).

  • Influence of Back Pain on Patient Satisfaction Scores.; Southern medical journal; (2015).

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  • Atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in children.; The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; (2015).

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  • Screw Fixation of Lateral Condyle Fractures: Results of Treatment.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2015).

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  • The location of medial patellofemoral ligament injury in adolescents and children.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2012).

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  • Healthy children with frequent fractures: how much evaluation is needed?; Pediatrics; (2008).

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  • Subtrochanteric femur fracture through osteotomy site 12 years after varus derotational osteotomy.; Orthopedics; (2004).

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  • Anterior interosseous nerve syndrome: a case report.; The Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association; (2002).

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  • English