Restoring Function, Alleviating Pain
Expert Care from a Private Practice Neurosurgeon in Oklahoma City, OK
Dr. Mike Alvis is a neurological surgeon in Oklahoma City, OK, specializing in neurosurgery and spine surgery. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Alvis provides expert diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment for a broad range of neurological conditions. Whether you need surgery for the brain, spinal cord, or other parts of the nervous system, you’re in capable hands.
Learn more about our programs.
What is Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery is the surgery of the nervous system. A neurological surgeon is a specialist who is trained in surgery of the nervous system and can perform surgery on the brain, spinal cord, or other parts of the nervous system. This specialist is sometimes called a brain surgeon. The neurosurgeon also works with patients to diagnose, evaluate, and treat diseases or disorders of the nervous system, and aids in the critical care of patients before, during, and after surgery.
Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, spinal injury, herniated disc, brain tumors, stroke, spinal cord tumors, scoliosis, epilepsy, spinal infection, spinal discectomy, spinal deformity, brain tumor, coma, seizure, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.
About Dr. Alvis
Dr. Mike Alvis, board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery since 1997, is a distinguished spine surgeon and non-surgical spine treatment specialist based in Oklahoma City, OK. Dr. Alvis’s journey into the medical field began in Shelby County, Alabama, where he grew up on a farm and graduated from Berry High School (now Hoover High School). He attended Auburn University from 1977 to 1982, minoring in mathematics and languages, specifically Russian and sign language (AMSL), while also excelling in physical chemistry and pharmacokinetics.
Educational Background
Dr. Alvis earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1982 from Auburn University. He then pursued a graduate program in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB), focusing on the mathematical modeling of biological systems and pharmacokinetics. During his time at UAB, Dr. Alvis worked with Dr. Jerry Reves on developing computer-controlled narcotic dosing during cardiac surgery, which eventually led to his Master’s thesis.
Despite his success in engineering, Dr. Alvis found his true calling in medicine, guided by his mentor, Dr. Reves. He attended the University of South Alabama Medical School from 1984 to 1988, during which he also completed rotations at Duke University and in Brisbane, Australia.
Medical Training
After medical school, Dr. Alvis did his general surgery internship at Carraway Methodist Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Initially aspiring to be a general surgeon, he soon became captivated by neurosurgery. This passion led him to complete a neurosurgery residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, followed by a Spine Fellowship at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Professional Practice
Since March 1995, Dr. Alvis has maintained his neurosurgery practice, Norman Neurosurgical, specializing in spinal instrumentation and disorders of the spine. He also collaborates with the Laser Spine Institute, providing consultation services. Dr. Alvis specializes in:
- Spinal Fusion Surgery
- Total Disc Replacement Surgery
- Back Pain Treatment
- Neck Pain Treatment
Personal Life
Dr. Alvis is a dedicated father to four children, Mikel, Teg, Duke, and Wicked, and manages a ranch cow-calf operation in Dibble, OK. When he is not in the operating room, Dr. Alvis spends time on ranch-related activities such as fencing, cleaning horse stalls, brush hogging, and repairing farm equipment.
Educational Background
Dr. Alvis earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1982 from Auburn University. He then pursued a graduate program in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB), focusing on the mathematical modeling of biological systems and pharmacokinetics. During his time at UAB, Dr. Alvis worked with Dr. Jerry Reves on developing computer-controlled narcotic dosing during cardiac surgery, which eventually led to his Master’s thesis.
Despite his success in engineering, Dr. Alvis found his true calling in medicine, guided by his mentor Dr. Reves. He attended the University of South Alabama Medical School from 1984 to 1988, during which he also completed rotations at Duke University and in Brisbane, Australia.
Medical Training
After medical school, Dr. Alvis did his general surgery internship at Carraway Methodist Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Initially aspiring to be a general surgeon, he soon became captivated by neurosurgery. This passion led him to complete a neurosurgery residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, followed by a Spine Fellowship at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Professional Practice
Since March 1995, Dr. Alvis has maintained his neurosurgery practice, Norman Neurosurgical, specializing in spinal instrumentation and disorders of the spine. He also collaborates with the Laser Spine Institute, providing consultation services. Dr. Alvis specializes in:
Personal Life
Dr. Alvis is a dedicated father to four children, Mikel, Teg, Duke, and Wicked, and manages a ranch cow-calf operation in Dibble, OK. When he is not in the operating room, Dr. Alvis spends time on ranch-related activities such as fencing, cleaning horse stalls, brush hogging, and repairing farm equipment.
Why Choose a Private Practice Neurosurgeon
When it comes to neurosurgical care, choosing a private practice neurosurgeon like Dr. Mike Alvis offers distinct advantages. In a private practice setting, patients receive highly individualized attention, shorter wait times, and direct access to the surgeon managing their case from diagnosis through recovery. Dr. Alvis’s approach combines compassionate care with advanced techniques, allowing patients to benefit from both experience and innovation in a more personalized environment.
Unlike large hospital systems where patients may see multiple providers, a private practice neurosurgeon builds a one-on-one relationship with each patient. This continuity of care results in better communication, consistent follow-ups, and customized treatment plans that reflect your unique medical history and lifestyle needs.
Advanced Techniques, Personalized Treatment
Dr. Alvis integrates decades of surgical expertise with the latest advancements in neurosurgery. As a private practice neurosurgeon, he is able to offer minimally invasive procedures, image-guided surgeries, and motion-preserving techniques that prioritize quicker recovery and long-term results. Whether addressing spinal injuries, degenerative conditions, or complex neurological disorders, Dr. Alvis ensures each patient receives the most effective and least invasive treatment possible.
His private practice model also allows him the flexibility to work closely with other care providers, including physical therapists, pain management specialists, and primary care physicians. This team-based approach supports holistic healing and improves surgical outcomes.
Personalized Care You Can Count On
Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or seeking a second opinion, choosing a private practice neurosurgeon like Dr. Alvis means choosing compassion, consistency, and clinical excellence. Patients throughout Oklahoma City and South and West Oklahoma trust Dr. Alvis for honest guidance, expert care, and lasting results.
When to Seek a Spine Surgeon
If you are experiencing chronic back or neck pain, numbness, tingling, or reduced mobility, it’s time to consult a spine surgeon. These symptoms can stem from conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, or degenerative disc disease. While many spinal issues can be managed through noninvasive treatments, persistent or worsening pain often signals the need for further evaluation by a specialist.
As a spine surgeon in Oklahoma City, OK, Dr. Alvis offers various diagnostic and treatment options to address spinal conditions. This includes advanced imaging, minimally invasive surgery, spinal fusion, decompression surgery, and artificial disc replacement. Dr. Alvis works closely with physical therapists to provide post-operative rehabilitation and conservative treatments before surgery is considered.
Expert Spine Care Across Oklahoma
Your Path to Recovery Starts Here
Dr. Alvis serves patients throughout Oklahoma City and South and West Oklahoma. Known for his patient-centered approach, Dr. Alvis offers both surgical and non-surgical solutions, often collaborating with physical therapists to create customized care plans. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or facing a complex spinal condition, Dr. Alvis provides expert guidance to help you achieve lasting relief and a better quality of life.