Banner Health expands comprehensive neurosurgery services in Northern Colorado
GREELEY, Colo. (Sept. 10, 2025) – Banner Health has expanded its neurosurgery program in Northern Colorado, offering patients increased access to advanced brain and spine care close to home. With the addition of fellowship-trained neurosurgeon Sam Haider, MD, Banner Health now provides a broader range of neurosurgical services from complex spinal procedures to state-of-the-art brain and spine care at Banner North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC) in Greeley.
Neurosurgery is a specialized field focused on diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the brain, spine and nervous system. At Banner, this care is delivered with a focus on minimally invasive techniques, personalized treatment plans and a commitment to helping patients return to their lives as quickly and safely as possible.
"Our philosophy centers on providing the least invasive option that will effectively address each patient's specific condition," said Dr. Haider. "Utilizing minimally invasive techniques when appropriate can often achieve excellent outcomes while minimizing recovery time. We are not overly aggressive with surgical recommendations; we try to fix the problem in a way that doesn’t compound future problems."
Dr. Haider brings advanced training in both spine and brain surgery, with a special emphasis on minimally invasive procedures that use incisions smaller than one inch. This approach often leads to faster recovery, less post-operative pain and reduced scarring compared to traditional open surgery.
Dr. Haider completed a fellowship in advanced surgical neuro-oncology at the University of Miami, home to the nation’s highest-volume brain tumor program, and his residency training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, a high-acuity Level 1 trauma center. He chose to bring his expertise to Northern Colorado after being drawn to the region's outdoor lifestyle and the opportunity to expand access to advanced neurosurgical care in a region that historically has never had a fellowship trained brain tumor specialist.
The expanded neurosurgery program at NCMC serves patients from across Northern Colorado, Southern Wyoming and Western Nebraska. Many patients who previously needed to travel to Denver for specific procedures can now receive care closer to home. With a strong collaborative relationship with MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Haider also specializes in all central nervous system metastatic tumors.
Dr. Haider joins neurosurgeons William McKay, MD, who specializes in complex spinal procedures, and Jacob Bernstein, MD, who focuses on general neurosurgery and spine care, to provide comprehensive neurosurgical services at Banner. Together, they run the gamut from complex brain and spine conditions to routine general pathology.
For more information about Banner Health’s neurosurgery services or to schedule a consultation, please call 970-810-5996.
