Kevin Michael McGrail, MD| Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery | MedStar Health
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Kevin Michael McGrail

Kevin Michael McGrail, MD
Provider is directly employed by MedStar Health

4.8 out of 5 (1117 reviews)

Specialties: Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

Languages: English

(202) 444-7333

About me

A faculty member since 1992, Kevin M. McGrail, MD, FAANS, FACS, has been chair of Neurosurgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Georgetown University School of Medicine since 2003. He treats both adult and pediatric patients.

Dr. McGrail received his medical degree from Tufts University in 1983, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He completed his general surgery internship at the University of Maryland Hospital, followed by a residency in neurosurgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital. While there, Dr. McGrail was also a research fellow in neurobiology at Harvard Medical School. Subsequently, he received advanced specialized training in complex cranial and spinal surgery at the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. McGrail is a national leader in neurosurgery and an active researcher and educator. He has published extensively in numerous peer-reviewed journals and text books, and has served as a past chair of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons membership committee, and a president of the Washington, DC, Academy of Neurosurgery.
For at least 15 years, Dr. McGrail has been recognized by Washingtonian magazine as a "Top Doctor."

Philosophy of Care

My goal is to find the correct diagnosis for all of my patients and then provide the most appropriate, individualized therapy to ensure their continued health and well-being.

Clinical Areas of Focus

  • Brain Aneurysms
  • Brain Arterial Venous Malformations
  • Carotid Artery Disease
  • Spinal Disorders
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Microsurgery
  • Complex spinal surgery
  • Brain tumors

Clinical areas of focus

  • Brain Tumor
  • Cerebral Internal Carotid Artery Ophthalmic Segment Aneurysm Coiling
  • Cervical Myelopathy Surgery
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Posterior Fossa Craniotomy
  • Scoliosis
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Conditions and procedures

Conditions I treat

  • Aneurysm
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Benign Neoplasm Of Bone And Articular Cartilage
  • Benign Neoplasm Of Brain And Central Nervous System
  • Benign Tumor
  • Blindness And Low Vision
  • Brain Aneurysm
  • Brain Disorders
  • Brain Tumor
  • Bursopathy
  • Carotid Stenosis
  • Cerebrovascular Diseases
  • Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
  • Congenital Hydrocephalus
  • Congenital Malformations Of Nervous System
  • Congenital Malformations Of Peripheral Vascular System
  • Deep Brain Stimulation
  • Deforming Dorsopathies
  • Dorsalgia
  • Dorsopathies
  • Epilepsy
  • Head Injury
  • Hemangioma
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Inflammatory Spondylopathies
  • Intervertebral Disc Disorders
  • Intraspinal Granuloma
  • Kyphosis
  • Malignant Neoplasm Of Endocrine Glands
  • Malignant Neoplasm Of Eye And Adnexa
  • Malignant Neoplasm Of Meninges
  • Malignant Neoplasm Of Spinal Cord
  • Meningioma
  • Meningitis
  • Nervous And Musculoskeletal Symptoms
  • Nervous System Disorders
  • Nontraumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
  • Omphalocele
  • Paralytic Syndrome
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Scoliosis
  • Secondary Malignant Neoplasm Of Brain
  • Spina Bifida
  • Spinal Cord Diseases
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Spine Tumor
  • Spondylopathies
  • Vascular Malformations Of The Brain
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Procedures I perform

  • Angiogram
  • Bifrontal Craniectomy
  • Brain Tumor Surgery
  • Cauda Equina Syndrome Treatment
  • Cerebellar Hemorrhage Evacuation
  • Cerebral Internal Carotid Artery Ophthalmic Segment Aneurysm Coiling
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt Revision
  • Cervical Corpectomy
  • Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
  • Cervical Facet Joint Denervation
  • Cervical Laminectomy
  • Cervical Myelography
  • Cervical Myelopathy Surgery
  • Cervical Nerve Release
  • Cervical Spinal Cord Release
  • Cervical Vertebra Reposition
  • Cervical Vertebral Disc Excision
  • Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
  • Cranial Nerve Neurostimulator Electrode Array And Pulse Generator Implantation
  • Craniectomy For Abscess
  • Craniectomy For Hematoma Evacuation
  • Craniectomy For Meningioma
  • Cranioplasty
  • Deep Brain Stimulation
  • Demineralized Bone Matrix
  • Discectomy
  • Dura Mater Supplement
  • Endoscopic Spinal Procedures
  • Endoscopic Spine Surgery
  • Enterectomy
  • Excision Of Cerebral Ventricle
  • Excision Of Frontal Bone
  • Excision Of Spinal Meninges
  • Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion
  • Interbody Biomechanical Device Insertion
  • Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring
  • Intraoperative Neurophysiology Monitoring
  • Kyphoplasty
  • Lumboperitoneal Shunt
  • Lumbosacral Disc Excision
  • Lumbosacral Myelography
  • Matrixectomy
  • Microdiscectomy
  • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
  • Myelography
  • Nerve Block
  • Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment
  • Neuroendovascular Surgery
  • Occlusion Intracranial Artery
  • Open Brain Release
  • Open Cerebellum Release
  • Ostectomy
  • Osteotomy
  • Pain Medication Management
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Parotid Biopsy
  • Percutaneous Discectomy
  • Percutaneous Kyphoplasty
  • Posterior Fossa Craniotomy
  • Proton Beam Radiosurgery
  • Removal Of Bone Flap
  • Repair Spinal Meninges
  • Resection Of Thoracic Vertebral Disc
  • Revision Synthetic Substitute
  • Sacral Nerve Release
  • Scoliosis Deformity Correction
  • Spinal Abscess Treatment
  • Spinal Bone Grafting
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation
  • Spinal Disc Replacement
  • Spinal Fusion
  • Spinal Growth Factors
  • Spinal Hematoma Treatment
  • Spinal Infection Treatment
  • Spinal Injury Treatment
  • Spinal Reconstruction Surgery
  • Spinal Stabilization
  • Spinal Vasculitis Treatment
  • Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy For Brain Tumors
  • Stereotactic Spinal Procedure
  • Subclavian Artery Extirpation
  • Supplement Dura Mater
  • Thoracic Aorta To Carotid Artery Bypass With Synthetic Substitute
  • Thoracic Laminectomy
  • Thoracic Myelography
  • Thoracic Nerve Release
  • Thoracic Spine Surgery
  • Upper Artery Synthetic Substitute Removal
  • Venous Access Device Removal
  • Vertebral Body Replacement
  • Vertebral Corpectomy
  • Vestibular Nerve Tumor Surgery
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Practice locations

Distance from Change Location Enter your Location

3800 Reservoir Rd NW
Pasquerilla Healthcare Center 7th Fl Neurosurgery
Washington, DC, 20007

202-444-4972
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miles away

Fax 202-444-7333

Insurance

This list represents the major payors accepted by MedStar Health.

NOTE: Payor contracts change and not all plans associated with a payor may be covered. Payors may offer multiple plans. If you have a question related to your insurance, please contact your insurance plan directly. Contact information is located on your health insurance ID card.

*Denotes limited participation. Specific providers and practices may NOT be participating. Please contact your insurance plan directly.

  • List of insurance plans we accept
    • Aetna
    • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield of Maryland
    • Cigna Health Care
    • Kaiser Permanente*
    • MedStar Select (Administered by CareFirst)
    • United HealthCare
    • Aetna
    • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield of Maryland
    • Healthspring
    • Humana
    • Medicare & Railroad Medicare
    • United HealthCare
    • Aetna Better Health of Maryland *
    • Medical Assistance/Medicaid
    • MedStar Family Choice MD
    • Priority Partners *
    • United HealthCare Community Health Plan MD
    • Wellpoint MD
    • AmeriHealth Caritas
    • Health Services For Children With Special Needs (HSCSN)
    • Medical Assistance/Medicaid
    • MedStar Family Choice DC
    • Johns Hopkins Employer Health Programs *
    • Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan *
    • MultiPlan
    • Private Healthcare Systems
    • Tricare/Humana Military
    • VA Community Care Network (VACCN)

Education

Board Certification: American Board of Neurological Surgery, Neurological Surgery

Fellowship: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (1991)

Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital (1990)

Internship: University of Maryland Medical System (1984)

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine (1983)

Medical School: Tufts University (1979)

Awards

  • Washingtonian Magazine Top Doctor, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital multiple Caring Star Awards, The Paul A. Warren Award in Genetics, Tufts College, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, Tufts University School of Medicine

Ratings and reviews

  • Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

    4.8
  • Extent to which the care provider listened to you

    4.9
  • Care provider’s discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

    4.8
  • Provider included you in decisions

    4.8
  • Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

    4.8
  • Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

    4.8
  • May 21, 2026

    The doctor is very nice! It was a brief meeting but nice to meet him if I will need surgery!

  • Apr 28, 2026

    No issues

  • Apr 25, 2026

    I would recommend Dr. Kevin McGrail to anyone needing guidance or care regarding neurologic issues. He is empathetic, articulate about the medical matters, and encouraging in every way.