Jamal McClendon, MD

I am passionate regarding the care of children with spinal disorders.  Not only do I have expertise in treating children with spinal disorders, but I also am on staff at the Mayo Clinic here in Arizona treating adults with complex pathology.  Here at Phoenix Children's Hospital, we offer multi-disciplinary spinal treatment for a variety of conditions including scoliosis and kyphosis.
Outside of neurosurgical care, Dr. McClendon is married with three children.  He enjoys spending time with his family and also playing soccer.

My perspective on the future of spinal care:  I came to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in 2016 because I knew it would be a place where my colleagues and I would grow professionally.  “I have partners focused in orthopedics and neurosurgery who not only believe in me, but also believe in what we can accomplish together.” “I feel that we all benefit from each other, and we’re better because of each other, actually.”  To that end, my co-director, Dr. Greg White of the Herbert J. Louis Center for Pediatric Orthopedics, and I share a vision for marrying neurosurgery and orthopaedic surgery into one spine program at Phoenix Children’s.  This is possible thanks to the already healthy overlap of expertise between these two departments at Phoenix Children’s, as well as the level of collaboration here that is not seen anywhere else.  “The hope is that we will offer a spine program that is comprehensive.”  “It’s something very special that we have here. In five to 10 years, there won’t be a division between orthopedics and neurosurgery spine care at Phoenix Children’s -- though one may mention this essentially doesn’t even exist now.”