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HealthBeat
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
A neurosurgeon breaks it down.
I Have a Herniated Disk. Now What?
A Northwestern Medicine spine surgeon outlines treatment options.
Map of Your Spine [Infographic]
Your spine is made up of 33 vertebrae that are separated into five sections that support your entire body.
More HealthBeat ArticlesPractice Focus Areas
This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:
- Craniovertebral Junction Disorders
- Primary Spine Tumors
- Spinal Cord Tumors
- Spinal Deformities
- Spine Degenerative Disease
- Spine Revision Surgery
- Spine Surgery
- Spine Trauma
Education
- Medical Education:
-
MD, Lebanese University Faculty of Medicine - 2011
- Internship:
-
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University - 2015
- Residency:
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St Louis University School of Medicine - 2021
- Fellowships:
-
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University - 2022
Languages Spoken
- Arabic
- French
Faculty Profile
Assistant Professor, Feinberg School of MedicinePractice Groups and Affiliations
- Medical Group:
- Northwestern Medical Group
- On Medical Staff At:
-
Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest HospitalCentral DuPage HospitalDelnor HospitalGrayslake Ambulatory Surgery CenterNorthwestern McHenry Huntley & Woodstock HospitalsNorthwestern Memorial HospitalPalos Hospital
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.
Read Ratings FAQsOverall Rating
700 Ratings
Reviews from Patients
Reviews from Patients
January 29, 2026
5.0 star star star star starHe is very professional and had an excellent bed-side manner. He listens ro mez and explains himself in terms easily understood to non-medical people. I've had complete confidence in him since my first consultation through my 7 hour surgery, and the after-care he's provided.
January 28, 2026
5.0 star star star star starDr. El Tecle is very highly recommended. I can see why. He gave a thorough explanation of my situation so that I could understand it better than previously. He was very patient with me until I understood.
January 28, 2026
5.0 star star star star starThorough explanation of healthcare needs. Patient Doctor time is timely, respectful and supportive Dr. El Tecle looks for the most effective and safest way to repairing the spine. He understands interpersonal relationships between his patients outside of his care aren't always supportive be plans to do what's best for his patient.
September 01, 2025
5.0 star star star star starDr. Tecle explained my condition and possible resolutions in layman's terms. He displays his expert medical and social confidence with grace, humility, empathy, and understanding. I feel like he cares about helping patient heal although clearly shared risks. I was impressed by his poise and knowledge - a gentleman.
August 27, 2025
5.0 star star star star starI know Dr. Najib El Tecle is very busy, but he never made me feel rushed. He went over my two recent MRIs, and the new X-rays taken today. He talked to me about all of my options and had a great bedside manner!
May 21, 2025
5.0 star star star star starDr. Tecle had a very pleasant encounter with me. He spent a considerable amount of time listening to my concerns about my back pain. He explained everything to me on the screen and showed me my MRI images. He also discussed my surgical options with me. Now, he's asking me to consider my options and let him know if I want to proceed with surgery.
Disclosures
Industry Relationships
Ownership or Investment Interest
Faculty member and/or their immediate family have an ownership or investment interest in the following companies
- Alphatec Spine, Inc.
Consulting
Faculty member and/or their immediate family have engaged in activities such as speaking, advising, consulting, or providing educational programs for the following companies or other entities
- SeaSpine
Royalties
Faculty member and/or their immediate family have the right to receive payments or may receive future financial benefits for inventions or discoveries related to the following companies or other entities
- Alphatec Spine, Inc.
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.
HealthBeat
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
A neurosurgeon breaks it down.
I Have a Herniated Disk. Now What?
A Northwestern Medicine spine surgeon outlines treatment options.
Map of Your Spine [Infographic]
Your spine is made up of 33 vertebrae that are separated into five sections that support your entire body.
More HealthBeat Articles
Northwestern Medical Group