Dr. Ashraf Sakr, M.D. Curriculum Vitae
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Dr. Ashraf Sakr, M.D.

Curriculum Vitae

Ashraf Sakr, M.D.

Interventional Pain Management Specialist

Precision Pain & Spine Institute, Edison and Hamilton, New Jersey. Clinical Assistant Professor of Clinical Anesthesia and Pain Management at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

(917) 544-1424 ashrafsakrmd@gmail.com Princeton Junction, NJ

Professional experience

Precision Pain & Spine Institute
Interventional Pain Management Specialist — February 2019 to Present | Edison and Hamilton, NJ
Spine Institute of North America
Interventional Pain Management Specialist — April 2014 to January 2019 | East Windsor and East Brunswick, NJ

Academic appointments

Rutgers University / Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Clinical Assistant Professor of Clinical Anesthesia and Pain Management — March 2013 to Present | Department of Anesthesiology, New Brunswick, NJ
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ / Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Assistant Professor — April 2008 to March 2013 | Department of Anesthesiology, New Brunswick, NJ
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ / Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Clinical Assistant Professor — August 2007 to April 2008 | Department of Anesthesiology, New Brunswick, NJ
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ / Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Assistant Professor — July 2006 to July 2007 | Department of Anesthesiology, New Brunswick, NJ
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ / Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Instructor — August 2005 to June 2006 | Department of Anesthesiology, New Brunswick, NJ

Hospital appointments

Southern Ocean Medical Center
Director of Pain Services — April 2008 to March 2013 | Manahawkin, NJ
Phoenixville Hospital
Pain Management Specialist — August 2007 to April 2008 | Phoenixville, PA
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ / Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Staff Anesthesiologist — March 2005 to October 2017 | New Brunswick, NJ

Procedure volume

Supplied PPSI and PSSM discectomy/rhizotomy reports dated Jan. 1, 2016 through Mar. 24, 2026 track the following procedures under Dr. Sakr’s name:

  • 863+ lumbar discectomies
  • 568+ cervical discectomies
  • 19+ percutaneous discectomies
  • 288+ rhizotomies
  • 1,014 discectomy procedures in the last four years: 603 lumbar, 396 cervical, and 15 percutaneous

Postgraduate training

UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Pain Management Fellowship — February 2004 to February 2005 | New Brunswick, NJ
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Resident, Anesthesia (CA-2 & CA-3) — February 2002 to February 2004 | New Brunswick, NJ
Chicago, IL
Residency, Family Practice — October 2001 to January 2002
Independent Study
USMLE Preparation — July 2001 to September 2001
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Residency, Anesthesia (CA-1) — February 2000 to June 2001 | New Brunswick, NJ
Flushing Hospital Medical Center
Internship, Obstetrics/Gynecology — July 1999 to June 2000 | Queens, NY
Maryland Hospital
Attending Surgeon — June 1995 to June 1999 | Cairo, Egypt
El-Maadi Armed Forces Hospital
Resident, Vascular Surgery — January 1994 to December 1994 | Cairo, Egypt
Zagazig University Faculty of Medicine
Residency / Master’s Degree in General Surgery — March 1991 to May 1995 | Egypt
St. Mary’s Hospital
Medical Observer — January 1991 to February 1991 | Paddington, London, UK

Medical education

Zagazig University Faculty of Medicine
MBBCH — 1984 to 1990 | Egypt

Certifications

  • Diplomate, American Board of Anesthesiologists — April 2006 to December 2026
  • Diplomate, American Board of Pain Medicine — September 2006 to December 2017

Licensure

  • New Jersey Medical License
  • Pennsylvania Medical License
  • New York Medical License
  • Florida Medical License

Grand round lectures

Department of Family Practice
August 25, 2017

Latest advances in pain management

Department of Rheumatology
October 28, 2016

Latest advances in pain management for patients with rheumatological conditions

Conference speaker

4th annual conference multidisciplinary approaches in Anesthesia, ICU and pain relief, Egypt. Spinal cord stimulation. October 11, 2017.

Peer-reviewed journals — case report

Hao D, MD; Kiss G, MD; Grubb W, MD; Cohen S, MD; Levin D, BA; Sakr A, MD. Spinal cord neuromodulation therapy for Levofloxacin-induced complex regional pain syndrome and neurotoxicity. Anesthesia and Analgesia A&A Practice, September 15, 2018 — Volume 11, Issue 6, Pages 158–159.

Letters

Cohen S, Sakr A, Katyal S, Chopra D. Sphenopalatine ganglion block for postdural puncture headache. Anesthesia, 64(5):574–575, May 2009.
Cohen S, Hunter C, Sakr A, Hijazi R. Meningitis following intrathecal catheter placement after accidental dural puncture. International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia, Volume 15, Issue 2, April 2006.
Cohen S, Striker P, Sakr A. Cerebrospinal fluid leak after disconnection of an intrathecal catheter adapter placed after accidental dural puncture. Reg Anesth Pain Med 30:591, 2005.
Cohen S, Sakr A, Sakr E. What do we do with a disconnected epidural catheter? — A response. Can J Anesth, 51(2):192, 2004.

Publications & presentations

Sakr A, MD; Elkholy W, MD; Qandeel M, MD. Precision protection of vital structures in percutaneous cervical discectomy. 42nd European Society of Regional Anesthesia ESRA Annual Congress, September 10–13, 2025, Oslo, Norway.
Sakr A, MD. Optimized use of orogastric and endotracheal tubes in percutaneous cervical discectomy: a technique to prevent esophageal and tracheal injury. Oral presentation, Florida Society of Anesthesiologists, June 2025, West Palm Beach, Florida.
Sakr A, MD; Elkholy W, MD; Qandeel M, MD. Endoscopic cervical rhizotomy for axial neck pain: exploring operative precision and outcomes. 41st European Society of Regional Anesthesia ESRA Annual Congress, September 2024, Prague, Czech Republic.
Sakr A, MD; Elkholy W, MD; Qandeel M, MD; Elkholy A, BS. Minimally invasive open lumbar discectomy with nucleoplasty and annuloplasty as a technique for effective reduction of both axial and radicular pain. 77th Postgraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology, December 2023, New York City, NY, USA.
Sakr A, MD; Elkholy W, MD; Qandeel M, MD; Elkholy A, BS. Enhancing pain relief: minimally invasive lumbar discectomy with nucleoplasty and annuloplasty. 12th World Congress of the World Institute of Pain, October 2023, Antalya, Turkey.
Sakr A, MD; Elkholy W, MD; Qandeel M, MD; Elkholy A, BS. Minimally invasive lumbar discectomy technique to reduce axial low back pain. 6th World Congress on Regional Anesthesia and Pain, September 2023, Paris, France.
Sakr A, MD; Elkholy W, MD; Levine D, MD; Ayoubi M, MD; Elkholy S, BS; Morales M, BS. Novel approach to managing chronic pain from cervical disc herniation. International Forum on Quality and Safety in Health Care, May 15–17, 2023, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Elkholy W, MD; Levine D, MD; Ayoubi M, MD; Elkholy S, BS; Morales M, BS; Sakr A, MD. Minimally invasive cervical discectomy for cervical radiculopathy. Poster, 48th American Society of Regional Anesthesia, April 20–22, 2023, Hollywood, Florida.
Elkholy W, MD; Levine D, MD; Ayoubi M, MD; Elkholy S, BS; Morales M, BS; Sakr A, MD. Novel approach to minimally invasive anterior cervical discectomy for cervical radiculopathy. Poster, New Jersey State Society of Anesthesiologists, March 25, 2023, New Brunswick, NJ.
Elkholy W, MD; Levine D, MD; Ayoubi M, MD; Elkholy S, BS; Morales M, BS; Sakr A, MD. New minimally invasive pain medicine approach to anterior cervical discectomy without fusion. Poster, American Academy of Pain Medicine, March 23–26, 2023, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Elkholy W, MD; Levine D, MD; Ayoubi M, MD; Elkholy S, BS; Morales M, BS; Sakr A, MD. Novel approach to minimally invasive anterior cervical discectomy without fusion. Poster, 76th Postgraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology, December 9–13, 2022, New York, New York.
Sakr A, MD; Cohen S, MD; Levin D, BA; Shah S, MD; Mohiuddin A, MD; Chiricolo A, MD; Kiss G, MD. Does higher diluent volume improve quality of epidural-PCA infusion post C-section? Poster, 71st Postgraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology, December 8–12, 2017.
Naftalovich R, MD; Cohen S, MD; Levin D, BA; Mellender S, MD; Mohiuddin A, MD; Sakr A, MD; Chiricolo A, MD; Kiss G, MD. Does increasing the concentration of epidural fentanyl for labor improve analgesia without effect on the neonate? Poster, 71st Postgraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology, December 8–12, 2017.
Sakr A, MD; Patel E, DO; Johnson M, MD; Hao D, BS; Grubb W, MD; Kiss G, MD. Unusual complication of electrical injury in patient with spinal cord stimulator. Poster, North American Neuromodulation Society Annual Meeting, January 19–22, 2017, Las Vegas, NV.
Sakr A, MD; Patel E, DO; Johnson M, MD; Hao D, BS; Grubb W, MD; Kiss G, MD; Baher Yanni, MD. Accidental lead transection during permanent implantation of percutaneous spinal cord stimulator leads and generator. Poster, North American Neuromodulation Society Annual Meeting, January 19–22, 2017, Las Vegas, NV.
Sakr A, MD; Patel E, DO; Johnson M, MD; Hao D, BS; Grubb W, MD; Kiss G, MD. Spinal cord neuromodulation therapy for Levofloxacin-induced complex regional pain syndrome and neurotoxicity. Poster, North American Neuromodulation Society Annual Meeting, January 19–22, 2017, Las Vegas, NV.
Sakr A, MD; Patel P, MD; Mohiuddin A, MD; Levin D, BA; Cohen S, MD; Mellender S, MD; Kiss G, MD. General anesthesia for cesarean section in a full term parturient with type I Arnold Chiari malformation along with tonsil herniation. Poster, 70th Postgraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology, December 9–13, 2016.
Shapiro P, BS; Shah S, MD; Sakr A, MD; Cohen S, MD; Mohiuddin A, MD; Grubb W, MD; Ullo M, BS; Patel A, BS; Hunter CW, MD. Can we offer spheno-palatine ganglion block for our obstetric patients following accidental dural puncture? Poster, NJSSA Annual Meeting, April 20, 2013, Jamesburg, NJ.
Robertson N, BS; Patel A, BS; Cohen S, MD; Shah S, MD; Solina A, MD; Sakr A, MD; Mohiuddin A, MD; Rianto A, BA; Stein M, MD; Hunter CW, MD. Trends in Epidural-PCA analgesia for primiparae with labor pain in private vs. staff parturients: labor and delivery outcomes 2010–2011 versus 1998–1999. Poster, NJSSA Annual Meeting, April 20, 2013, Jamesburg, NJ.
Sakr A, MD; Skiff H, MD; Shah S, MD; Cohen S, MD; Mohiuddin A, MD; Ambalu O, BA; Patel A, BS; Zuker D, MD; Wong M, MD; Chhokra R, MD. Does stylet reinsertion upon piercing the ligamentum flavum with an epidural needle reduce the incidence of accidental dural puncture? Poster, NJSSA Annual Meeting, April 20, 2013, Jamesburg, NJ.
Chaudhry M, MD; Cohen S, MD; Sakr A, MD; Mohiuddin A, MD; Shkolnikova T, MD; Shapiro P, BS; Hunter CW, MD. A comparison of epidural ropivacaine with lidocaine for cesarean section. Poster, Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Conference, April 24–28, 2013, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Shah S, MD; Cohen S, MD; Sakr A, MD; Mohiuddin A, MD; Patel A, BS; Pashkova A, BA; Patel V, BS; Grubb W, MD; Mellender S, MD; Hunter CW, MD. Spheno-palatine ganglion block effectively treats post-dural puncture headaches in obstetric patients. Poster, NYSSA 66th PGA, December 15–17, 2012.
Shah S, MD; Wu M, MD; Cohen S, MD; Mohiuddin A, MD; Ambalu O, BA; Patel A, BS; Sakr A, MD; Zuker D, MD; Kiel S, MD; Chhokra R, MD. Does stylet reinsertion upon piercing the ligamentum flavum with an epidural needle reduce the incidence of accidental dural puncture? Poster, NYSSA 66th PGA, December 15–17, 2012, New York.
Patel A, BS; Cohen S, MD; Shah S, MD; Solina A, MD; Sakr A, MD; Mohiuddin A, MD; Ambalu O, BA; Rianto A, BA; Stein M, MD; Hunter CW, MD. Trends in Epidural-PCA analgesia for primiparae with labor pain in private vs. staff parturients: labor and delivery outcome 2010–2011 versus 1998–1999. Poster, NYSSA 66th PGA, December 15–17, 2012, New York.
Sakr A, MD; Patel P, MD; Cohen S, MD; Mohiuddin A, MD; Shah S, MD; Mellender S, MD; Grubb W, MD; Pashkova A, BA; Park C, MS; Patel A, BS; Rolleri N, BS; Patel V, MD; Hunter C, MD. Can spheno-palatine ganglion block be used routinely for our obstetric patients following accidental dural puncture for PDPH treatment? Poster, American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Conference, November 15–18, 2012, Miami, FL.
Sakr A, MD; Cohen S, MD; Mohiuddin A, MD; Shah S, MD; Mellender S, MD; Hunter CW, MD. Can we offer spheno-palatine ganglion block for our obstetric patients following accidental dural puncture? Poster, ASA Annual Meeting, October 13–17, 2012, Washington, DC.
DeLara K, MD; Grubb W, MD; Anim C, MD; Shah S, MD; Khan A, MD; Sakr A, MD. EMR procedure-specific preoperative patient handouts to improve patient communication and clinic efficiency. Poster, American Pain Society, May 16–19, 2012, Honolulu, HI.
Sakr A, Cohen S, Hunter C, Sirika R, Shen M. Sphenopalatine ganglion block in treatment of postdural puncture headache. Poster, Postgraduate Assembly of the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists, December 2010.
Amponsah A, Cohen S, Kiel S, LaSalle, Sakr A, Sakr E. Does the addition of ondansetron to IV patient-controlled naloxone further improve post C-section epidural fentanyl-induced pruritus treatment? Poster, American Society of Regional Anesthesia, November 2010.
Khan K, Pourmasiha N, Cohen S, Sakr A, Chopra D, Zuker D. Subarachnoid-cutaneous fistula and subdural hematoma complicating cerebrospinal fluid drainage for thoracoabdominal aorta aneurysm repair. Poster, PGA, December 2009.
Patel T, Cohen S, Chopra D, Rianto A, Sakr A, Zuker D. Cerebrospinal fluid leak following disconnection of an intrathecal catheter adapter applied for accidental dural puncture. Poster presentation.
Sakr A, Cohen S, Solina A, Zuker D, Hunter CW. Myocardial infarction following attempted regional anesthesia for postpartum tubal ligation. Poster, PGA, December 2006.
Cohen S, Sakr A, Zuker D, Sakr E. Arrow versus B Braun epidural catheter for epidural block in obstetric patients. Poster, NYSSA 59th Postgraduate Assembly, December 2005.
Cohen S, Sakr A, Kiel S, Sakr A. Does the addition of ondansetron to IV patient-controlled naloxone further improves post C-section epidural fentanyl-induced pruritus treatment? Poster, ASA Annual Meeting, October 2005.
Cohen S, Sakr A, Shorstein A, Samet R, Stricker P. Combined-spinal-epidural anesthesia for cesarean section. SOAP 37th Annual Meeting, May 2005, Palm Desert, CA.
Cohen S, Shorstein A, Sakr A, Samet R, Stricker P. A comparison of epidural ropivacaine with lidocaine for cesarean section. SOAP 37th Annual Meeting, May 2005, Palm Desert, CA.
Cohen S, Yanni B, Pantuck C, Pantuck EJ, Sakr E, Sakr A, Bhavsar V. Should we offer epidural-PCA analgesia with ambulation for multiparae for labor pain? Anesthesiology, 100:A82, 2004. Poster, 36th Annual Meeting of the SOAP, May 2004, Ft. Myers, Florida.
Cohen S, Sakr A, Sakr E, Yanni B, Samet R, Fadare O, Casciano M. Epidural block for cesarean section with gravity flow technique: does the addition of epinephrine to ropivacaine reduce the incidence of epidural blood vessel puncture? Anesthesiology, 100:A83, 2004. Poster, 36th Annual Meeting of the SOAP, May 2004, Ft. Myers, Florida.
Cohen S, Sakr A, Pantuck C, Fadare O, Sakr E, Pantuck E. Is epidural-PCA analgesia requirement for labor pain reduced during the night? Anesth Analg, 98:S153, 2004. Poster discussion, 78th Meeting of the International Anesthesia Research Society, March 2004, Tampa, Florida.
Cohen S, Sakr A, Fadare O, Sakr E, Casciano M, Bhavsar V, Denenberg H, Ginsberg S. Epidural block administration for obstetric patients: when does an anesthesia attending take over from a resident? Poster, NYSSA 57th PGA, December 2003, New York, NY.
Cohen S, Sakr A, Groysman R, Bhavsar V, Amar D. Does stylet reinsertion upon reaching ligamentum flavum with an epidural needle reduce the incidence of accidental dural puncture? Anesthesiology 99:A1161, 2003. Poster, ASA 2003 Annual Meeting, October 2003, San Francisco, CA.

Educational & community service

March 2012. Appearance at Ocean County Club, Manahawkin, NJ, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Presentation on All you need to know about chronic low back pain, followed by a question-and-answer period. Seminar conducted by the Southern Ocean County Hospital Public Relations Department.
May 2010. Pain management: Get in the game. Educational presentation at a nursing conference at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
February 21, 2009. Appearance on Satellite Network TV, The Dan Dana Show. Speaking on pain and pain management.
November 2008. Appearance at a local TV station for a 15-minute interview regarding pain management through the Southern Ocean County Hospital Public Relations Department.
October 2008. Appearance at Crestwood Village Club House, Whiting, NJ, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Presentation on Chronic Pain Management, followed by a question-and-answer period for a group of 50 people. Seminar conducted by the Southern Ocean County Hospital Public Relations Department.

Professional organizations

  • American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists
  • American Society of Regional Anesthesia
  • North American Neuromodulation Society
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