Timothy J. Choi, M.D.

Dr. Timothy J. Choi is an orthopedic spine surgeon with advanced training in both complex and minimally invasive spinal procedures. A Dallas-Fort Worth native, Dr. Choi is proud to return to his hometown to care for patients in the community where he was raised. 

He earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a minor in Biology from Austin College, graduating summa cum laude and earning membership in both Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Chi national honor societies. He went on to receive his medical degree from McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston, followed by a five-year orthopedic surgery residency at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. During his residency, Dr. Choi developed a strong foundation in musculoskeletal care and a deep interest in spinal surgery. He later completed a fellowship in orthopedic spine surgery at the San Diego Spine Foundation, where he trained in advanced spinal techniques including anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), and cervical procedures. 

Dr. Choi’s clinical and research interests include spinal alignment, surgical precision, and minimally invasive treatment strategies. He has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications and national presentations on spinal deformities, surgical outcomes, and innovations in spine care. His research includes studies on ALIF complications, spinal alignment parameters, and the role of navigation and robotics in surgery. 

He is committed to patient-centered care and believes in developing individualized treatment plans that may include both surgical and non-operative approaches. Dr. Choi emphasizes listening carefully to each patient, thoroughly evaluating their condition, and recommending the least invasive, most effective path forward. 

Outside of his clinical practice, Dr. Choi enjoys spending time with his wife and their families, who also live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He is an avid cook, an aspiring golfer, and supports his wife’s equestrian pursuits, often helping care for their two horses, Atlas and Mushroom. He also continues to support volunteer efforts such as Global Spine Outreach, providing spine surgery to underserved pediatric patients internationally.

Education & training
  • 2025 | San Diego Spine Foundation Fellowship | Spine Fellowship
  • 2024 | Department of Orthopaedics at UNM SOM | Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
  • 2019 | McGovern Medical School at UTHealth | Medical Doctorate
  • 2015 | Austin College | Bachelor of Arts Summa Cum Laude
Research
  • San Diego Spine Foundation/Scripps Clinic spine surgery research. Involved in several clinical studies looking at the complications associated with single level ALIF surgery and its correlating anatomy, clinical outcomes of wide ACDF spacers, and outcomes/cost/radiation exposure analysis after single level LLIF.  
  • University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery research. Several clinical projects including retrospective reviews, case reports, and systematic review. Topics of research include adolescent and adult spine, orthopaedic trauma, pediatric ankle injuries.
  • Medical student research in Department of Surgery. McGovern Medical School at UTHealth with Center for Translational Injury Research. Mentor: Sasha Adams, MD. Project focus: spinal cord injuries in elderly patients
Publications
  • Choi TJ; Larson, J; Botkiss, M; Eastlack, RK; Mundis Jr., GM; Malone, H. Expanding ACDF into the Uncovertebral Joint: Safety and Early Outcomes. (pending acceptance)s 
  • Choi, TJ; Dhanjani, S; Prabhakar, G; Malone, H; Stephan, SR; Bagheri, A; Eastlack, RK; Mundis Jr., GM. Association between Posterolateral Foraminal Osteophyte & Superior Articular Process Hook with Post Operative Radiculopathy in ALIF. SPINE (pending acceptance) 
  • Osseointegrative Pelvic Fixation May Experience Less Failure than Traditional Pelvic Fixation at 1-year follow up. NASS. Abstract (accepted) 
  • Choi, TJ; Dhanjani, S; Prabhakar, G; Malone, H; Stephan, SR; Bagheri, A; Eastlack, RK; Mundis Jr., GM. Association between Posterolateral Foraminal Osteophyte & Superior Articular Process Hook with Post Operative Radiculopathy in ALIF. NASS. Abstract (accepted) 
  • Dhanjani, S; Choi, TJ; Karimov, A; Shah, K; Blais, MB; Mundis Jr., GM; Bagheri, A; Akbarnia, B; Eastlack, RK. Bilateral Pedicle Screw Fixation versus Unilateral Pedicle Screw Fixation for Single Level Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Outcomes, Cost Analysis, and Radiation Exposure. International Journal of Spine Surgery (pending) 
  • Curtis, W; Choi, TJ; Ahmad, A; Shultz, C. Perioperative Nutritional Consideration in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Review of the Literature. Western Journal of Orthopaedics: 2023 – Volume 12 – Issue 1. https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/wjo/vol12/iss1/1. 
  • Choi, TJ; Moghamis, IS; Alhmmoud, A; Lavelle, WF; Metkar, US. The effectiveness of interbody fusion devices in adult spine deformity. Seminars in Spine Surgery: December 2022 – Volume 34 – Issue 4 – 100990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semss.2022.100990. 
  • Helmig, KC; Choi, TJ; Silva, SR. Combined tillaux and bimalleolar ankle fracture in a pediatric patient: a case report. Cureus. January 2022 – Volume 14 – Issue 1 – e21648. doi: 10.7759/cureus.21648. PMID: 35242453; PMCID: PMC8884454. 
  • Cheppalli, NS; Singanamala, N; Choi, TJ; Anand, A. Intra-Articular corticosteroid injection after total knee replacement: Is it safe? Cureus. November 2021 – Volume 13 – Issue 11 – e19700. doi: 10.7759/cureus.19700. PMID: 34976478; PMCID: PMC8681887. 
Volunteer Experience

Global Spine Outreach May 2025 

  • Volunteer as a spine surgery fellow assisting and performing surgery for underserved pediatric scoliosis patients in Cali, Columbia. 

University of New Mexico Orthopaedic VIP program August 2020 – June 2024 

  • Lead virtual education sessions on topics in orthopaedic surgery for prospective UNM Orthopaedic residents. 

Project CURE February 2021 

  • Organize anesthesia equipment donations to benefit underserved areas and overseas mission trips. 

        Medical Mission Trips Summer 2014 & 2015 

        • Work with internal medicine doctors, dentists, and optometrists to treat local patients who lack adequate access to healthcare in Lima, Peru & San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Guatemala. 
        Personal Interests
        • Air-frying foods
        • Weight-lifting
        • Football
        • Basketball
        • Hiking