John Brayton, MD

5.0

811 ratings Read Reviews

Northwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Neurological Surgery

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Education

Medical Education:: MD, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine - 1990
Residency:: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics - 1996

Board Certifications

American Board of Neurological Surgery - Neurological Surgery (Certified)

Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:: Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:: Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:: Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital

Central DuPage Hospital

Delnor Hospital

Grayslake Ambulatory Surgery Center

Northwestern McHenry Huntley & Woodstock Hospitals

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

811 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

59 Reviews

Reviews from Patients

59 Reviews

February 18, 2026

5.0

Caring, friendly & professional

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February 17, 2026

5.0

The office Ms Ann the head Nurse is absolutely Amazing, wonderful she treats me with so much respect and kindness and shows that she cares about me and my health she is absolutely wonderful with a big big heart and it's real and warm welcome because you feel that she cares about you as. a person not just as a patient you can talk to her and she will listen to you I so look forward to seeing her when I come in she is such a beautiful person ever. I also love love absolutely the frount desk lady her name is Michell the phone operator she is also absolutely amazing and what she does she a amazing job she does wonderful job and always scheduling my appointments fit in with my husband and the doctors schedule and helping me out and getting me in knowing that we travel pretty far to come in to see the doctor she is so caring and so friendly and so polite. She also very welcoming when you first come into the door to sign in and always has that big bright smile greeting you with she makes your Day with that positive attitude she always has. Then I absolutely love the doctor. He has been my number one fan from day one since I had surgeries. He is amazing. Also, when I think of him, I get teary eye because I feel in my heart he saved my life from having my brain surgeries if it wasn't for him I probably wouldn't be here today because of the type of brain surgery's I had he has the biggest heart at any doctor I've ever came cross with he takes his time with me and explains everything to me as a patient would understand it does not talk to you and big doctor words. He explains everything to you of how you would understand and he's very patient with you explains everything to you and has the biggest heart absolutely absolutely the best neurologist brain surgeon ever.. I would recommend him to anybody and I already have he never rushes you or himself when he is in the room with you. He is AWESOME

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February 03, 2026

5.0

His knowledge and experience in neuroscience is unmatched.

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January 28, 2026

5.0

Her explains everything so I can understand.

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January 26, 2026

5.0

Calm efficient personalized care

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January 26, 2026

5.0

Very well put doctor very respectable

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January 25, 2026

5.0

He explains everything in a way you can understand. He took time to answer questions we had.

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January 24, 2026

5.0

Dr. Brayton is so very competent, thoroughly prepared for the appointment. He explains his findings clearly, shares all options, listens, and answers patient questions snd concerns. Not rushed. Strongly patient focused.

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January 17, 2026

5.0

Dr. Brayton takes the time to listen to me and educate me on my treatment options and listens to my concerns. He doesn't just go directly to surgical option but wants to explore other options before we go to surgery.

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January 13, 2026

5.0

Excellent surgeon

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January 06, 2026

5.0

The Doctor explained everything so I clearly understood what he was talking about.

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December 30, 2025

5.0

Really cares about his patients.

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December 22, 2025

5.0

He explained everything in a very understandable manner. I came away feeling confident in his treatment plan

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December 16, 2025

5.0

The same reason hundreds of others do

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December 16, 2025

5.0

Dr Brayton really cares for his patients and is very knowledgeable and has great bedside manners. He's the best out there! And is absolutely trustworthy and will always put the patient first

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December 14, 2025

5.0

I trust him

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December 09, 2025

5.0

Very conservative does surgery as a last option

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December 09, 2025

5.0

He was so thorough, polite and fully explained my condition and the steps we need to follow. Highly recommend him

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December 06, 2025

5.0

Introduced himself when walked into room and shook hands. Took his time with us to explain what was going on and loved that he didn't want to jump into surgery and was willing to try conventional way first. Huge for me!

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December 01, 2025

5.0

Dr. Brayton is was ver attentive to my problem. He throroughly went throw all my reports and explained in detail each and everyone of them. Suggested many avenues forward and I look forward to my next visit.

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November 17, 2025

5.0

Very professional. Great bedside manner. He preformed a perfect surgery on me and I am very grateful.

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November 12, 2025

5.0

Exceptional doctor

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November 08, 2025

5.0

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October 28, 2025

5.0

Dr Brayton.

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October 28, 2025

5.0

Saved my life! Great bedside manner. Explains things in a way I can understand

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October 14, 2025

5.0

I first seen Dr Brayton around 2000 and liked him then and like him even more now. He suggested my XLIF spinal fusion last year and pointed me in Dr Jacoby's direction. On 10/31/24 I had my surgery and Dr Brayton was a co - surgeon that day with Dr Jacoby. The morning of the surgery I got to speak to Dr Brayton and he was all business, VERY REASSURING! Would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone !

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October 07, 2025

5.0

Super intelligent

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October 01, 2025

5.0

His expertise and professionalism in caring for not only myself, but another member of the family has been excellent. Straightforward, and approachable, he explains diagnosis thoroughly and recommended treatment. And always asks if there are any questions that need to be answered.

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September 29, 2025

5.0

Dr. Brayton provided excellent patient care, thank you.

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September 29, 2025

5.0

I highly recommend Dr John Brayton he went above and beyond he was thoughtful,caring and very friendly and detailed and extremely thorough in his explanations when talking about my condition and treatment plans.

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September 29, 2025

5.0

Excellent doctor and great human being

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September 27, 2025

5.0

Concerned with your issue

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September 23, 2025

5.0

Dr Brayton is thorough, enthusiastic, confident as well as humble. I have no doubt that I am in good hands with Dr Brayton!

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September 22, 2025

5.0

very thorough and professional. listens and explains. patient and concerned with your needs. great doctor!

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September 17, 2025

5.0

Very caring doctor

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September 16, 2025

5.0

Explain and communicate very well very professional.

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September 09, 2025

5.0

Very thorough very honest very easy to talk with

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September 08, 2025

5.0

Makes sure the patient is informed of all aspects of treatment and or surgery.

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September 08, 2025

5.0

Took the time and was very attentive

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September 02, 2025

5.0

Dr. Brayton is THE BEST!!!! We feel very lucky we were able to be seen by him!!!

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August 24, 2025

5.0

QUICK Impression....He's a Thoughtful Reputable NEUROSURGEON....

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July 30, 2025

5.0

He's THE BEST!!

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July 29, 2025

5.0

Dr. Brayton has always been very professional. He cares about his patient's. He is willing to work with them for the best outcome. Dr. Brayton is very knowledgeable and resourceful.

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July 29, 2025

5.0

Excellent explanation.

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July 19, 2025

5.0

Excellent ccimmunicator

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July 19, 2025

5.0

Very thorough and thoughtful. Recommended an mri I would bend in.

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July 15, 2025

5.0

He's is the best.

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July 14, 2025

5.0

Seeing Dr. Brayton off and on for several years. Always expect an honest view of my concerns and what the plan is going forward. No what if's. Straightforward conversation is greatly appreciated.

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July 08, 2025

5.0

He is a wonderful doctor. Takes the time to explain everything. Shows us our MRI's and X-Rays, explains them to us as well. He has operated on me twice. With success both times. I would recommend him to anyone who needs spinal surgery.

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July 08, 2025

5.0

See above. He's the only surgeon I trust to operate on my spine.

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July 07, 2025

5.0

I appreciate Dr Brayton thoroughly explaining my condition to me. He took the time to make sure that I understood the seriousness of it and what needs to be done. I also appreciate him admitting he was not the surgeon to fit my needs and contacting surgeons who could perform the surgery for me. He followed up with saying if I don't hear from the surgeons by the following Monday, to get back in touch with him so he could contact them again. He also said if I had any further questions to be sure to contact him.

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July 07, 2025

5.0

Dr. Brayton is a consummate professional. He explained his diagnosis, prognosis and explained my options. He showed me my most recent MRI and explained its findings.

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June 30, 2025

5.0

I felt confident I was in good hands. Dr. Brayton was friendly & optimistic. I left feeling uplifted.

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June 20, 2025

5.0

Dr. Brayton has overseen my care for 7 years and always takes time to listen and answer all my questions. He is proactive in providing me the very best care.

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May 27, 2025

5.0

He is both very professional and caring. He went out of his way to explain my condition and coordinate my care with another doctor. I definitely trusted him and if I needed surgery he would be the one I would go to!

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May 13, 2025

5.0

Excellent Dr.

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May 12, 2025

5.0

He's very thorough and takes to explain everything.

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May 06, 2025

5.0

Honesty

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May 01, 2025

5.0

I was very happy with his response to my questions and his knowledge of my injury.

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Disclosures

John Brayton, MD reported no external professional relationships for calendar year 2024.

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.

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