Meet The Surgeons
Gerald R. Schell, M.D.
In the spring of 1989, Dr. Gerald R. Schell joined Dr. Field to meet the growing neurosurgical needs in the Saginaw area and beyond. Dr. Schell, along with Dr. Field, has continued to develop microsurgical intracranial techniques allowing for advanced care in intracranial cerebrovascular, neoplastic, and traumatic pathologic processes. The complex image-guided cranial and spinal surgical techniques have dramatically enhanced the quality of neurosurgical services offered.
Currently Dr. Schell uses minimally invasive surgical techniques for over 90% of patients with pain syndromes secondary to acute disc disease. For patients who previously had no hope for pain relief for osteoporotic compression fractures, Dr. Schell uses the three dimensional CT reconstructive techniques with balloon kyphoplasty.
Dr. Schell performed the first artificial lumbar disc surgery in the state of Michigan, and both he and Dr. Field are currently playing a leading international role in the experimental development of single-level and two-level artificial discs for cervical disk problems. They are also involved with numerous other collaborative scientific endeavors to help advance neurosurgical care.
Dr. Schell attended Olivet College for his undergraduate studies, where he received his BA in Biology in 1976. In 1980, he received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. Dr. Schell’s surgical internship took place at Flint’s McLaren Hospital. He then went to The University Hospital in Syracuse, New York for his neurosurgical rotation from 1982-1987. Special rotations include: Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri and Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York.
E. Malcolm Field, M.D.
E. Malcolm Field, M.D. , nationally renowned neurosurgeon, established the Saginaw Valley as a premier neurologic care center of excellence. Since 1962, he has performed over 56,000 surgeries and personally seen more than 315,000 patients. As Founder and Medical Director of the Field Neurosciences Institute (FNI) at St. Mary’s of Michigan, Dr. Field’s vision is to provide compassionate care, technological services, and extensive research, educational, and prevention programs.
Born in Brighton, Michigan, Dr. Field received his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan. He also has been granted an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Saginaw Valley State University and an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Spring Arbor University. Following his internship and general surgery residency at Covenant Medical Center-Harrison (formerly Saginaw General Hospital), Dr. Field completed a neurosurgery residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Dr. Field was the recipient of the Spirit of St. Vincent De Paul Award presented by St. Mary’s Hospital for continuing commitment to compassionate care of the sick and poor. He was also honored with the Edgar P. Balcueva, M.D. “Heart of Gold” award presented for exemplary leadership and involvement with the American Heart Association’s mission to decrease death and disability from heart disease and stroke. Dr. Field was named ThinkFirst Physician Sponsor of the Year and received the Wallace J. Bronner Excellence in Business Award from Davenport University.
Recognized worldwide for his extraordinary work ethic, Dr. Field couples his devotion and commitment to the speciality of neurosurgery with an endless enthusiasm for lifelong learning for his benefit and those of others. He and his wife Lois have established two chairs of learning at Saginaw Valley State University and have been the catalyst for hundreds of young people to receive higher education.
Naman Salibi, M.D.
“I chose to come to Saginaw because St. Mary’s of Michigan has the best spinal center of anywhere in the United States,” says neurosurgeon Naman Salibi, M.D., of his decision to join Drs. Field and Schell at Saginaw Valley Neurosurgery. “Coming here affords me the opportunity to practice cutting-edge, minimally-invasive spine procedures that are being performed at very few medical centers anywhere else in the country.”
Dr. Salibi brings to the area his 24 years of neurosurgery experience in both brain and spine. Prior to coming to Saginaw, he was assistant clinical professor of neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He previously served as a chairman of the division of neurosurgery at the Dominican Santa Cruz Hospital and the Community Hospital of Santa Cruz, both located in Santa Cruz, California.
He is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and is also an active member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Salibi and Dr. Schell met while in residency and have stayed in touch over the years.
Dr. Salibi and his wife have nine children.
Timothy Spencer, M.D.
Saginaw Valley Neurosurgery and its patients are very fortunate that Dr. Spencer has chosen to become part of the practice. Dr. Spencer has obtained privileges at St. Mary's of Michigan Hospital in Saginaw and Sheridan Community Hospital in the Grand Rapids area.
Dr. Spencer offers general neurosurgical care, including: complex spinal surgery, malformations, tumors, dislocations, fractures, degenerative conditions, etc. Dr. Spencer employs a comprehensive approach to surgical treatment, from minimally to maximally invasive surgical treatments.
Dr. Spencer's guiding philosophy is to always reserve invasive procedures as a last resort, but when they become necessary, to apply the procedure that is most suited for that patient’s specific problem in order to enhance outcome.
Prior to relocating his practice to Michigan, Dr. Spencer served as Chief of Neurosurgery - Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas.
- In The News
- St. Mary's of Michigan neurosurgeon Gerald Schell is performing minimally-invasive spinal fusion surgeries that require just two tiny incisions.
Watch the video from the operating room. 
U-clamp, screws keep man's head on his body
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