Derrick H. Cho, MD, FAANS is a board-certified neurosurgeon known for combining meticulous attention to detail with efficiency, compassion, and thoughtful decision-making.
With more than 5,000 neurosurgical operations performed throughout his career, Dr. Cho brings deep experience in minimally invasive spine surgery, complex spinal disorders, and cranial surgery to patients in The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, Tomball, and the Greater Houston area.
His guiding principle is simple: to provide every patient the same level of care he would choose for his own family.
Experience
Board Certified
Fellow, AANS
Training
Dr. Cho’s modest upbringing amid the Friday night lights of small-town Alabama instilled in him grounded values of discipline, teamwork, and accountability that shape his approach to listening carefully and speaking with patients at eye level. That’s not a marketing line. It’s just who he is.
He graduated from Emory University in 1998, then completed medical school and neurosurgical residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham — one of the nation’s premier neurosurgical training programs, where he served as the solo Chief Resident from 2008 to 2009.
After residency, Dr. Cho practiced in Denver, Colorado, where he was honored with the 2013 Swedish Dala Award — voted “Most Respectful” by employees of Swedish Medical Center, a high-volume Level I Trauma Center. This distinction speaks to the character and professionalism he brings to every interaction.
Now serving patients in the North Houston region, Dr. Cho provides comprehensive neurosurgical care at Chosen Spine and Neuro, located in The Woodlands, TX.
Dr. Cho’s philosophy is shaped by two things: his upbringing and his experience.
His upbringing and life experiences taught him to treat every person with dignity and to never take someone’s trust for granted. Years of neurosurgical practice taught him that not every patient needs surgery — and when surgery is needed, the least invasive approach may deliver the best result.
Not every patient needs surgery, and not every operation should be more extensive than necessary. Conservative options are usually explored first, and surgical recommendations are made only when clearly supported by clinical evidence and imaging.
At Chosen Spine and Neuro, you’ll never feel rushed, dismissed, or pressured. Dr. Cho takes the time to explain your condition in plain language, answer every question, and make sure you feel confident in your care plan before moving forward.
When he’s not caring for patients, Dr. Cho enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and son, playing pickleball, smoking meat for friends and family, and occasionally coaching and mentoring high school students and athletes.
