Marilyn L.G. Gates, MD
Physician Advisor
A board-certified neurosurgeon with over 25 years of experience in healthcare, clinical instruction, and program administration in a variety of settings, Dr. Marilyn Gates brings vast experience in patient-centered decision-making to Nexera’s physician-led value analysis consultancies. She leads value analysis programs at multiple client sites.
Dr. Gates’ expertise includes devising long-term strategies that drive positive clinical and financial outcomes, optimizing service lines, standardizing quality of care, and implementing new market strategies. She has taught residents and students, is an experienced physician leader, and has developed neurological and residency programs that incorporate Lean Six Sigma methodologies to maximize organizational and programming performance. In her role at Nexera, Dr. Gates draws from this vast experience, which includes managing inventory and supply purchases, evaluating performance metrics, and instituting collaborative methods to facilitate value-based decision-making.
Prior to joining Nexera, Dr. Gates was Professor of Medicine at Washington University of Health and Science in San Pedro, Belize. She has held several positions at Spectrum Health Medical Group, including Director of the Spine and Pain Management Center, Program Director of the Neurosurgical Residency Program, and Advisor to the Spine Development and Surgical Program in addition to practicing neurosurgery.
Her honors and distinctions include the 2013 Healthgrades Physician Honors, the 2007 Woman of the Year in Medicine and Healthcare, and the National Service Defense Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in 2003. She was also featured as one of the “31 Women Spine Surgeons and Specialists to Know” in Becker’s Spine Review.
Dr. Gates belongs to the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, World Spinal Column Society, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the National Association of Spine Surgeons. She holds certifications as a definitive trauma skills instructor and in basic cardiac life support. She is a Resident and Fellow Education Committee member as well as an Evidence-Based Medicine Committee member and Abstract Review/Annual Meeting Committee member for the Scoliosis Research Society.
Dr. Gates obtained her Associate’s degree in Nursing from LaBour Junior College in Boston, Massachusetts, her professional diploma as a Cardiovascular Surgical Specialist from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, and her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Vermont in Burlington. She completed her neurosurgery internship and residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont (Burlington), and her Complex Spine Surgery Fellowship at the Department of Surgery of the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Dr. Gates is an American College of Physician Leaders Certified Physician Leader.