Meet Dr. Zain Allison
Neurosurgeon and Spine Surgeon in Denver
Dr. Zain Allison is a Lakewood neurosurgeon and spine surgeon who specializes in cranial and spinal neurosurgery with an interest in neurotrauma, neuro-oncology, open neurovascular surgery, and minimally invasive and traditional spine surgeries. He is currently fulfilling his post-residency practice requirement to become board certified. Dr. Allison has extensive experience in neurotrauma and open vascular neurosurgery, including surgeries for aneurysms, stroke, brain injuries, and acute spinal cord injuries.
Dr. Allison obtained his medical degree in Honolulu at the University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine. He completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in the Texas Medical Center, where he treated patients at five hospitals including a Level 1 Trauma Center, a comprehensive stroke center, and level IV NICU. During his residency, he contributed to neurosurgical research involving neurotrauma, neuro-oncology, and space flight. Dr. Allison believes strongly in the multidisciplinary care of neurosurgery, neurotrauma, and stroke, and understands the power of clear communication with both patients and family members.
Dr. Allison has worked in Madagascar and Bali, and founded a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, “Gratia Servo,” to help fund access to emergency medical care in Madagascar. Working in different regions of the world as well as the nation has given Dr. Allison a unique perspective when caring for patients with different backgrounds, approaching difficult medical decisions by treating patients as if they are part of his family. Dr. Allison’s goal in each visit, whether in the hospital or in the clinic, is to inform patients of all of their options, both surgical and nonsurgical, while guiding them toward realistic expectations.
Dr. Allison was featured on Life Changes podcast by Love Extremist Radio in an episode titled “LIFECHANGES with Millennial Brain Surgeon Dr. Zain Allison”. Here, he speaks about the circumstances that led him to become a neurosurgeon, how he responds as a physician to each patient’s unique needs, and how he approaches the work as a millennial. In the podcast, Dr. Allison speaks in more detail about his travels and how bringing his work across the globe affects his day-to-day practice. Listen to the episode here.
Education & Experience
Dr. Zain Allison's Education
- Bachelor of Science in Microbiology: University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Medical Doctorate: University of Hawaii School of Medicine
- Neurological Surgery Residency: University of Texas Medical Branch
Work Experience
- Neurotrauma director, Level I trauma center, St. Anthony Hospital Lakewood, CO
- Neurooncology tumor board director, St. Anthony Hospital Lakewood, CO
- Resident in Neurological Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
- Research Assistant: University of Hawaii Center for Cardiovascular Research, Honolulu, HI
- Research Assistant: University of Hawaii Specialized Neuroscience Research Program, Honolulu, HI
- Emergency Medical Technician: Rapid Response and Medical Services Team, Lubbock, TX
International Experience
- Founder, President Gratia Servo (federal 501c3 nonprofit organization: Madagascar
- Outpatient Medicine and Public Health: UPTD Puskesmas I; Bali, Indonesia
Quality Improvement Experience
- Inclusion of C1/2 Junction in the Cervical Spine MRI
- Implementation of Intraoperative MRI “Time Out” Checklist
- Optimization of Neurosurgical Documentation for DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification
Memberships
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- Colorado Neurosurgical Society
Publications
- Cureus 13(8) e17143 2021
Late Testicular Yolk Sac Tumor with Cerebellar Metastasis and Rapid Recurrence after Gross Total Resection
Nia A, Allison RZ, Sweeney M, Briner RP - Cureus 13(5) e14804 2021
Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma to the Cerebrum in a Patient with Lynch Syndrome
Hrushka J, Allison RZ - Br J Neurosurg 22:1-5 2019
Effect of an additional neurosurgical resident on procedure length, operating room time, estimated blood loss, and post-operative length-of-stay
Nguyen AV, Coggins WS, Jain RR, Branch DW, Allison RZ, Maynard K, Lall RR - Clin Neurol Neurosurg 182:152-157 2019
Cefazolin versus vancomycin for neurosurgical operative prophylaxis- A single institution retrospective cohort study
Nguyen AV, Coggins WS, Jain RR, Branch DW, Allison RZ, Maynard K, Oliver B, Lall RR - World Neurosurgery 109:444-448 2017
Spaceflight and Neurosurgery: A Comprehensive Review of the Relevant Literature
Swinney C, Allison RZ - Neurocritical Care 26(1):80-86 2016
Derivation of a Predictive Score for Hemorrhagic Progression of Cerebral Contusions in Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Allison RZ, Nakagawa K, Hayashi M, Donovan DJ, Koenig MA - Neurosurgery 63 Supplement 152-3 2015
Application of Cortical Bone Trajectory Instrumentation for Juvenile and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Patel VJ, Desai SK, Maynard K, Allison RZ, Frank T, Branch D, Mohanty A
Team
Tessa is optimizing bone health and surgery results for patients in Lakewood.
Monika is providing care to patients with brain and spine conditions and supports Dr. Zain Allison in Lakewood.
Lindsey is a physician assistant providing care for neurosurgery and spine inpatients at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado.
