Faculty & Staff Directory
Volker K. H. Sonntag, MD
Neurosurgery
Volker K.H. Sonntag, MD, is an emeritus professor of neurosurgery at Barrow Neurological Institute.
Dr. Sonntag specialized in spine surgery and is regarded as a pioneer in the field, particularly for his innovative work in spinal instrumentation and his successes in treating the cervical spine. In 1989, he made international headlines when he reattached a 10-year-old boy’s skull to his spine after the ligaments connecting them were severed in a bicycle-truck crash.
Dr. Sonntag remains a member of the American Academy of Neurological Surgery, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the Neurosurgical Society of America, and The Society of Neurological Surgeons. He holds some of the most prestigious awards in the field of neurosurgery, including Honored Guest of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in 2002.
Dr. Sonntag earned his medical degree from the University of Arizona School of Medicine in Tucson. He completed his general surgery internship at the University of Arizona Medical Center and his neurosurgery residency at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.
Dr. Sonntag has co-authored seven books, contributed more than 100 chapters to books on neurosurgery, and has published some 600 articles. In 2017, he published his memoir entitled, “Backbone: The Life and Game-Changing Career of a Spinal Neurosurgeon.” Additionally, he has given more than 1000 presentations at professional meetings and has been honored with numerous visiting professorships.
The Sonntag Spine Center at Barrow continues the pioneering legacy of Dr. Sonntag. The Center is dedicated to advancing the treatment of spinal conditions through collaborative research, trailblazing innovation, and global education.
- Residency, Tufts Medical Center, Neurosurgery, 1972-1977
- Internship, University of Arizona Medical Center, General Surgery, 1971-1972
- MD, University of Arizona, 1971
- BA, Arizona State University, Chemistry, 1967
- American Academy of Neurological Surgery
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons
- Neurosurgical Society of America
- The Society of Neurological Surgeons
- Meritorious Member Award, American Academy of Neurological Surgery/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, 2017
- Cloward Award, Western Neurosurgical Society, 2017
- Distinguished Service Award, The Society of Neurological Surgeons, 2013
- Neurosurgeon of the Year, Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2012
- Alumnus of the Year, University of Arizona, 2011
- Master Teacher, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, 2011
- Top Doctor, Phoenix Magazine, 1996-2004, 2008-2009
- Distinguished Alumnus, Arizona State University, 2007
- Honored Guest, Young Neurosurgeons Dinner, American Academy of Neurological Surgery/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, 2007
- Board Member, Spine Masters Institute, North American Spine Society, 2006
- Prize for Lumbar Spine Research, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, 2005
- Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, 2005
- Alumni Achievement Award, Arizona State University, 2004
- Honorary Member, Brazilian Congress of Neurological Surgery, 2003
- Honorary Member, Mexican Congress of Neurological Surgery, 2003
- Health Care Hero Award, Phoenix Business Journal, 2003
- Honored Guest, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 2002
- Endowed Alumni Spine Chair, Barrow Neurological Institute, 2000
- Special Society Governor from the American Academy of Neurological Surgery, Board of Governors, American College of Surgeons, 2000
- Volker Sonntag Award, American Academy of Neurological Surgery/Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 2000
- Honored Guest, Lifetime Leadership and Mentoring to Young Neurosurgeons, American Academy of Neurological Surgery Young Neurosurgeons Committee, 2000
- Mentor of the Millennium, Barrow Neurological Institute Neurosurgery Residents, 2000
- Honorary Member, Columbian Association of Neurological Surgeons, 1999
- Meritorious Service Award, American Academy of Neurological Surgery/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves 15th Annual Meeting, 1999
- Honorary Member, German Society of Neurological Surgeons, 1998
- Attending Physician Teacher of the Year, Barrow Neurological Institute, 1979, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1998
- College of Medicine Alumni Medal—Outstanding Graduate 20 Years, 1987
- The Wakeman Award, National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study II, Duke University Medical Center, 1990
- Teacher of the Year, Barrow Neurological Institute Nursing Department, 1984
- Honorary Alumnus Membership, Alpha Omega Alpha, 1981
- Graduating Class President, University of Arizona School of Medicine, 1971
- Summa Cum Laude, Arizona State University, 1967
Perioperative and swallowing outcomes in patients undergoing 4- And 5-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
Date: 06/2021
Authors: S. Harrison Farber, David J. Mauler, Soumya Sagar, Mark A. Pacult, Corey T. Walker, Michael A. Bohl, Laura A. Snyder, Laura Snyder, Laura A Snyder, Kristina M. Chapple, Kristina Chapple, Kristina M Chapple, Volker K.H. Sonntag, V. K. Sonntag, Volker K H Sonntag, Juan S. Uribe, Juan S Uribe, Jay D. Turner, Steve W. Chang, U. Kumar Kakarla
Neurosurgery Resident Wellness and Recovery from Burnout: A 39-Year Single Institution Experience.
Date: 02/2020
Authors: Oliver Y Tang, Katherine A Dunn, James S Yoon, James S. Yoon, Francisco A Ponce, Volker K H Sonntag, Michael T. Lawton
Contribution of Neural Elements to Thoracic Stability
Date: 01/2017
Authors: Fatih Ersay Deniz, Phillip M. Reyes, P. M. Reyes, Bruno C.R. Lazaro, Felix C. Dominguez, Anna G.U.S. Newcomb, A. G.U. Newcomb, Volker K.H. Sonntag, V. K. Sonntag, Volker K H Sonntag, Neil R. Crawford, N. R. Crawford
Biomechanics of Cervical "skip" Corpectomy Versus Standard Multilevel Corpectomy
Date: 01/2017
Authors: Murat Yilmaz, Kasim Zafer Yüksel, K. Zafer Yüksel, Seungwon Baek, Anna G.U.S. Newcomb, A. G.U. Newcomb, Sedat Dalbayrak, Volker K.H. Sonntag, V. K. Sonntag, Volker K H Sonntag, Neil R. Crawford, N. R. Crawford
Evolution of Cervical Spine Deformity Surgery and Ongoing Challenges
Date: 01/2016
Authors: Jay D. Turner, Volker K.H. Sonntag, V. K. Sonntag, Volker K H Sonntag
- English
- German
Volker K. H. Sonntag, MD
Neurosurgery
Volker K.H. Sonntag, MD, is an emeritus professor of neurosurgery at Barrow Neurological Institute.
Dr. Sonntag specialized in spine surgery and is regarded as a pioneer in the field, particularly for his innovative work in spinal instrumentation and his successes in treating the cervical spine. In 1989, he made international headlines when he reattached a 10-year-old boy’s skull to his spine after the ligaments connecting them were severed in a bicycle-truck crash.
Dr. Sonntag remains a member of the American Academy of Neurological Surgery, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the Neurosurgical Society of America, and The Society of Neurological Surgeons. He holds some of the most prestigious awards in the field of neurosurgery, including Honored Guest of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in 2002.
Dr. Sonntag earned his medical degree from the University of Arizona School of Medicine in Tucson. He completed his general surgery internship at the University of Arizona Medical Center and his neurosurgery residency at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.
Dr. Sonntag has co-authored seven books, contributed more than 100 chapters to books on neurosurgery, and has published some 600 articles. In 2017, he published his memoir entitled, “Backbone: The Life and Game-Changing Career of a Spinal Neurosurgeon.” Additionally, he has given more than 1000 presentations at professional meetings and has been honored with numerous visiting professorships.
The Sonntag Spine Center at Barrow continues the pioneering legacy of Dr. Sonntag. The Center is dedicated to advancing the treatment of spinal conditions through collaborative research, trailblazing innovation, and global education.
- Residency, Tufts Medical Center, Neurosurgery, 1972-1977
- Internship, University of Arizona Medical Center, General Surgery, 1971-1972
- MD, University of Arizona, 1971
- BA, Arizona State University, Chemistry, 1967
- American Academy of Neurological Surgery
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons
- Neurosurgical Society of America
- The Society of Neurological Surgeons
- Meritorious Member Award, American Academy of Neurological Surgery/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, 2017
- Cloward Award, Western Neurosurgical Society, 2017
- Distinguished Service Award, The Society of Neurological Surgeons, 2013
- Neurosurgeon of the Year, Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2012
- Alumnus of the Year, University of Arizona, 2011
- Master Teacher, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, 2011
- Top Doctor, Phoenix Magazine, 1996-2004, 2008-2009
- Distinguished Alumnus, Arizona State University, 2007
- Honored Guest, Young Neurosurgeons Dinner, American Academy of Neurological Surgery/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, 2007
- Board Member, Spine Masters Institute, North American Spine Society, 2006
- Prize for Lumbar Spine Research, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, 2005
- Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, 2005
- Alumni Achievement Award, Arizona State University, 2004
- Honorary Member, Brazilian Congress of Neurological Surgery, 2003
- Honorary Member, Mexican Congress of Neurological Surgery, 2003
- Health Care Hero Award, Phoenix Business Journal, 2003
- Honored Guest, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 2002
- Endowed Alumni Spine Chair, Barrow Neurological Institute, 2000
- Special Society Governor from the American Academy of Neurological Surgery, Board of Governors, American College of Surgeons, 2000
- Volker Sonntag Award, American Academy of Neurological Surgery/Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 2000
- Honored Guest, Lifetime Leadership and Mentoring to Young Neurosurgeons, American Academy of Neurological Surgery Young Neurosurgeons Committee, 2000
- Mentor of the Millennium, Barrow Neurological Institute Neurosurgery Residents, 2000
- Honorary Member, Columbian Association of Neurological Surgeons, 1999
- Meritorious Service Award, American Academy of Neurological Surgery/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves 15th Annual Meeting, 1999
- Honorary Member, German Society of Neurological Surgeons, 1998
- Attending Physician Teacher of the Year, Barrow Neurological Institute, 1979, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1998
- College of Medicine Alumni Medal—Outstanding Graduate 20 Years, 1987
- The Wakeman Award, National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study II, Duke University Medical Center, 1990
- Teacher of the Year, Barrow Neurological Institute Nursing Department, 1984
- Honorary Alumnus Membership, Alpha Omega Alpha, 1981
- Graduating Class President, University of Arizona School of Medicine, 1971
- Summa Cum Laude, Arizona State University, 1967
Perioperative and swallowing outcomes in patients undergoing 4- And 5-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
Date: 06/2021
Authors: S. Harrison Farber, David J. Mauler, Soumya Sagar, Mark A. Pacult, Corey T. Walker, Michael A. Bohl, Laura A. Snyder, Laura Snyder, Laura A Snyder, Kristina M. Chapple, Kristina Chapple, Kristina M Chapple, Volker K.H. Sonntag, V. K. Sonntag, Volker K H Sonntag, Juan S. Uribe, Juan S Uribe, Jay D. Turner, Steve W. Chang, U. Kumar Kakarla
Neurosurgery Resident Wellness and Recovery from Burnout: A 39-Year Single Institution Experience.
Date: 02/2020
Authors: Oliver Y Tang, Katherine A Dunn, James S Yoon, James S. Yoon, Francisco A Ponce, Volker K H Sonntag, Michael T. Lawton
Contribution of Neural Elements to Thoracic Stability
Date: 01/2017
Authors: Fatih Ersay Deniz, Phillip M. Reyes, P. M. Reyes, Bruno C.R. Lazaro, Felix C. Dominguez, Anna G.U.S. Newcomb, A. G.U. Newcomb, Volker K.H. Sonntag, V. K. Sonntag, Volker K H Sonntag, Neil R. Crawford, N. R. Crawford
Biomechanics of Cervical "skip" Corpectomy Versus Standard Multilevel Corpectomy
Date: 01/2017
Authors: Murat Yilmaz, Kasim Zafer Yüksel, K. Zafer Yüksel, Seungwon Baek, Anna G.U.S. Newcomb, A. G.U. Newcomb, Sedat Dalbayrak, Volker K.H. Sonntag, V. K. Sonntag, Volker K H Sonntag, Neil R. Crawford, N. R. Crawford
Evolution of Cervical Spine Deformity Surgery and Ongoing Challenges
Date: 01/2016
Authors: Jay D. Turner, Volker K.H. Sonntag, V. K. Sonntag, Volker K H Sonntag
- English
- German