Dr. Harold Fogel specializes in the management of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal disorders. In many cases, Dr. Fogel is able to treat patients with non-surgical methods. When surgery is needed, he often is able to perform minimally invasive procedures, which decreases patient discomfort and speeds recovery times. His care is marked by his empathy for patients and true commitment to their best interests.
Dr. Fogel is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and is fellowship trained in spine surgery. He sees patients at the Orthopedic Spine Center at Massachusetts General Hospital as well as The Spine Center at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
Dr. Fogel received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan majoring in Political Science and graduated with University Honors. He attended Chicago Medical School and earned his MD with Distinction in Research. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago serving as a chief resident his final year. He continued his specialization in spine surgery by completing the Harvard University Orthopedic Spine Surgery Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital & Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He also attended the Value-Based Healthcare Delivery Course at Harvard Business School. He was awarded The Charles M. Schwartz, MD, Traveling Fellowship and received additional training in spine surgery with world renowned leaders in spine surgery at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
Dr. Fogel has a special interest in patient outcomes, patient safety, and quality improvement. He dedicated significant time in his medical training to these causes and has served in leadership roles on hospital and professional committees that advocate for better care and better outcomes for patients.
Orthopaedic Spine Service 55 Fruit St. Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care Suite 3A Boston, MA02114 Phone: 617-724-8636
Orthopaedic Spine Service at Newton-Wellesley Hospital 159 Wells Ave. Newton, MA02459 Phone: 617-831-7095
Emerson Hospital Spine Program 54 Baker Avenue Extension Suite 203 Concord, MA01742 Phone: 617-724-8636
Medical Education
MD, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
Residency, Loyola University Medical Center
Fellowship, Harvard / MGB Combined Training Program*
American Board Certifications
Orthopedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Accepted Insurance Plans
Aetna
Beech Street
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
Cigna
Commonwealth Care Alliance
Coventry
Fallon Health
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Humana
Mass General Brigham Health Plan
MassHealth
Medicaid ME
Medicaid NH
Medicaid RI
Medicaid VT
Medicare
Medicare ACO
Multiplan
Railroad Medicare
Senior Whole Health
TriCare
Tufts Health Plan
Tufts Medicare Preferred
United Health Care
Wellpoint
WellSense
WellSense NH
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Research
Dr. Fogel performs both clinical and basic science research. His research interests include value-based healthcare, patient outcomes following spine surgery, and the biological features of a spine fusion. His research has received awards at national and international conferences and has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals.
Dr. Fogel has also been awarded research grants from such organizations as the Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation.
Publications
Select Publications:
Fogel H, Jenis L. The Economic Burden of Osteoporosis. In: Razi AE, Hershman SH, eds. Spinal Compression Fractures in Osteoporotic and Pathologic Bone.
Le H, Fogel H, Hershman SH. High-Grade Spondylolisthesis: Partial Reduction. In: Bridwell K, Gupta M, eds. Textbook of Spinal Surgery.
Pak LM, Fogel HA, Chaudhary MA, Kwon NK, Barton LB, Koehlmoos T, Haider AH, Schoenfeld AJ. Outpatient Spine Clinic Utilization is Associated with Reduced Emergency Department Visits Following Spine Surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2017 Dec 20.
Fogel H, Summers H, Faulkner L, Lack W, Bernstein M. Generating Value-Based Orthopaedic Trauma Metrics: Linking Current Procedural Terminology Codes to Supply and Implant Spending. Iowa Orthop J.
Fogel H, Natoli R, Holt D, Schiff A, Bernstein M, Summers H, Lack W. Advanced Imaging Lacks Clinical Utility in Treating Geriatric Pelvic Ring Injuries Caused by Low-energy Trauma. J Ortho Trauma. 2016 2017 Apr; 31(4):194-199.
Baluch D, Fogel HA, Patel A, Singh, K. Bone Morphogenetic Protein Use in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Contemporary Spine Surgery. 2013 Oct; 14 (10):1-8.
Reviews: Comments and Ratings
4.7out of 5(168 Ratings, 78 Comments)
March 2025
My doctor provided the names of 2 surgeons. Originally I went with the other surgeon simply due to his location. I wish I had not done that and seen Dr. Fogel from the start. He was very respectful, professional, and took the time to explain my images to me, ask me questions, and told me next steps. I would highly recommend him to anyone. I am ... Read More
My doctor provided the names of 2 surgeons. Originally I went with the other surgeon simply due to his location. I wish I had not done that and seen Dr. Fogel from the start. He was very respectful, professional, and took the time to explain my images to me, ask me questions, and told me next steps. I would highly recommend him to anyone. I am grateful that he had empathy and patience. I wish more doctors were like him.
March 2025
Every interaction I had with anyone was a pleasant experience
February 2025
Very knowledgeable and thorough. Answered questions thoroughly.
February 2025
A good listener. He knows his work and approach it Very well. Very clean and personable Good attitude and caring. Glad he was my provider.
February 2025
All people I came in contact with were very courteous and helpful. Great experience. Very friendly.
February 2025
Took his time to explain everything so I could understand. My daughter came with me and he was very gracious to her. Both he and his PA made me very comfortable. I asked a lot of questions and they were very patient.
February 2025
My visit to Mass Gen was a perfect experience from beginning to end. Every person with whom I interacted, from the information booth in the lobby to my doctor, was friendly, helpful, professional and efficient. I was treated as a person and not as a number. My doctor was particularly good at understanding my situation, listening carefully and ... Read More
My visit to Mass Gen was a perfect experience from beginning to end. Every person with whom I interacted, from the information booth in the lobby to my doctor, was friendly, helpful, professional and efficient. I was treated as a person and not as a number. My doctor was particularly good at understanding my situation, listening carefully and asking appropriate follow-up questions, and treating me with respect and dignity. I was particularly impressed with the fact that he explained everything clearly and thoroughly. At every step of my visit, I felt that Mass Gen valued me as a patient and as a person. As a result, I have decided to have a very complex surgery procedure at Mass Gen (after visiting two other top-rated hospitals on the east coast).
February 2025
[redacted] He and his scheduling assistant were very helpful.
February 2025
Great service and care.
February 2025
I was very pleased with all my interactions with Dr Fogel
After falling down, Karen experienced debilitating pain. An incorrect diagnosis and months of PT led her to seek out Dr. Harold Fogel and his team at the Orthopaedic Spine Center for a second opinion.
Pain in his low back and legs meant Don could not do the things he loved doing - golfing, biking, hiking and enjoying time with his grandchildren. Dr. Fogel and the team in the Orthopaedic Spine Center got him back to the things he loves.
Debilitating low back pain left Elena barely able to stand or walk. After surgery with Dr. Harold Fogel in the Orthopaedic Spine Center, Elena was able to dance at her wedding.
After falling down, Karen experienced debilitating pain. An incorrect diagnosis and months of PT led her to seek out Dr. Harold Fogel and his team at the Orthopaedic Spine Center for a second opinion.
Pain in his low back and legs meant Don could not do the things he loved doing - golfing, biking, hiking and enjoying time with his grandchildren. Dr. Fogel and the team in the Orthopaedic Spine Center got him back to the things he loves.
Debilitating low back pain left Elena barely able to stand or walk. After surgery with Dr. Harold Fogel in the Orthopaedic Spine Center, Elena was able to dance at her wedding.
After falling down, Karen experienced debilitating pain. An incorrect diagnosis and months of PT led her to seek out Dr. Harold Fogel and his team at the Orthopaedic Spine Center for a second opinion.
My doctor provided the names of 2 surgeons. Originally I went with the other surgeon simply due to his location. I wish I had not done that and seen Dr. Fogel from the start. He was very respectful, professional, and took the time to explain my images to me, ask me questions, and told me next steps. I would highly recommend him to anyone. I am ... Read More
Every interaction I had with anyone was a pleasant experience
Very knowledgeable and thorough. Answered questions thoroughly.
A good listener. He knows his work and approach it Very well. Very clean and personable Good attitude and caring. Glad he was my provider.
All people I came in contact with were very courteous and helpful. Great experience. Very friendly.
Took his time to explain everything so I could understand. My daughter came with me and he was very gracious to her. Both he and his PA made me very comfortable. I asked a lot of questions and they were very patient.
My visit to Mass Gen was a perfect experience from beginning to end. Every person with whom I interacted, from the information booth in the lobby to my doctor, was friendly, helpful, professional and efficient. I was treated as a person and not as a number. My doctor was particularly good at understanding my situation, listening carefully and ... Read More
[redacted] He and his scheduling assistant were very helpful.
Great service and care.
I was very pleased with all my interactions with Dr Fogel