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Dr. Steven Zielinski, MD

Dr. Steven Zielinski, MD

Neurological Spine Surgery*

Dr. Steven Zielinski, MD is a neurological spine surgery specialist in Waco, TX. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Hillcrest and Citizens Medical Center. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

4.4 Star Rating
Based on 207 reviews 4.4 Star Rating (207 reviews)

Practice

4515 Lake Shore Dr Waco, TX 76710
Telehealth available

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Dr. Zielinski is a Healthgrades Choice provider in Neurosurgery

The Healthgrades Choice designation helps you understand the most important factors to consider when choosing a healthcare professional. This designation is earned based on four set standards.
Read our methodology

  • Above average experience
  • Good hospital quality
  • Good patient ratings
  • No healthcare sanctions
  • Area of Expertise
    Dr. Zielinski specializes in the area of Neurosurgery. See board certifications
  • Explains Conditions Well
    Patients said this doctor explains conditions well. See reviews
  • Offers Telehealth
    This doctor offers telehealth appointments. Call the office to schedule an appointment.
  • Practices at Top Hospital
    America's 250 Best Hospitals Award™ See hospitals
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Dr. Zielinski's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Zielinski

4.4
207 ratings, 89 with a written review
5 star
85%
85%
4 star
2%
2%
3 star
0%
0%
2 star
1%
1%
1 star
13%
13%

Your trust is our top concern.

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Cervical Surgery follow up
Dr. Zielinski and his staff were very professional and kind. They made you feel like you were part of the family. I was informed of the surgical process with every visit which made me feel more at ease with having cervical surgery. The hospital staff was great. I would highly recommend Dr. Zielinski!!
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Sep 05, 2024
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I would so recommend Dr. Z
I had my C5-C7 discs from my neck removed and fusion done. I waited over 40 years to be pain free and wished it was done 20 years ago. However, I waited for Dr. Z to fix me up. Since I was 18 (had a bad car accident 1982), my neck was in severe pain on a constant basis. Went to neurosurgeons and they told me to wait, until I couldn't take the pain any longer. Well between traction everyday in my home, and ice and heat packs, by the time I was 58, just couldn't take the agony any longer. I had severe nerve pain down my arms, numbness in my hands, bladder issues and the list goes on. So my primary care Dr. had her neck done by him and it changed her life, so I decided to go to him and it was a QUALITY OF LIFE game changer for me. One year out and am no longer in traction or ice nor heat any longer. I am so grateful to him. I see other people with bad reviews and well sometimes we have other problems, like me with rotator cuff issues, but it has nothing to do with my neck .
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Linda Simmons Lopez – Jul 01, 2024
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Not successful!! I went in for my visit, he didn’t let me talk and he did just what few others did, put me in back brace that was 1500.00 that I didn’t get bring home , they said I would have to check my insurance. My mri that the nurse never ordered, I call 3 weeks later not hearing one word from them and I call them and she lied and said we are waiting on approval from your insurance! I said hmmmm so I called my insurance and they never submitted a order for mri and I am crying with pain, I called her back Ashlyn, she said well I might submit approval for your mri friday or Monday ! Oh really I thought don’t bother! I don’t know what they thought I was there for! They never scheduled my physical therapy or nothing and anything! I don’t like to be lied to and if they lie about important things like that than that just shows they don’t care! I won’t go back there and having to give a credit card in case you cancel appointment tgey don’t want miss out on any money. I was there 3 hrs!
What went well
  • Office environment
What could be improved
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Not happy – Mar 30, 2022
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Staff were nice and helped me with my questions.
What went well
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Mar 01, 2022
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Always clean, prompt, and in-and-out visits with no waiting.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Lorie – Oct 05, 2021
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Staff was useless on helping us figure out what the issue was in why we couldn't get a call back from his nurse to ever get an appointment
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Del Burnham – Sep 30, 2021
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I can appreciate the fact that, unlike other doctors I have visited, Dr. Z acted quickly in ordering testing/imaging to find out quickly where my pain was coming from. Dr. Z listened to my complaints and proceeded to find answers for me which was helpful. Dr. Z took my symptoms seriously and then Dr. Z recommended an appropriate treatment plan to get me back to feeling normal.
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Explained conditions well
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
  • Office environment
Helpful
Jul 08, 2021
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Outstanding Spine specialist. I highly recommend Dr. Z to anyone in need. He and his staff are extremely knowledgeable, professional and very compassionate!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Darla DiCorte – Dec 16, 2020
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Excellent Care, Very happy with treatment!!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Staff friendliness
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Nov 24, 2020
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The most crude, rude unprofessional Dr I have visited . Small cramped low budget office .
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Nov 19, 2020
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Dr Zielinski was very professional as was the staff. Took time to explain the procedures.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
L Lee – Aug 07, 2020
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Dr. Z is amazing and he is using some really new stuff for back surgery. I was really amazed.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Joe – Jul 29, 2020
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It was a great experience at a time when everything is crazy. He really cares and takes the time to answer your questions. The staff does everything they can to make your life easy. I would highly recommend!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Dar – Jul 12, 2020
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I went to him for a second opinion. Boy I am glad I did. I didn't even need surgery!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Jason – Jun 23, 2020
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Dr. Z is really good at explaining everything. He took his time with me and he is very nice. He told me I did not need a surgery.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Sandra – Jun 22, 2020
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Dr. Zielinski and his staff are awesome,he helped me with my back pain and always listened to my concerns and he responded all my questions. I still recuperation from my surgery but I will be able to be back to work soon.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Jun 19, 2020
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Dr. Z treated me very kindly and helped me get out of my pain. He is a really good doctor.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Feb 19, 2020
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Dr. Z is a good individual and I like the way he does things.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Feb 07, 2020
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Dr. Z is great! He really helped me with my back pain and let me make my on choices. I didn't feel pushed to do surgery and was able to get back to work.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Feb 07, 2020
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Dr. Z and his staff are the absolute best. They always listen and are quick to respond to any questions. Since Dr. Z travels to different areas it is generally very easy to get in to see him when necessary. Only giving them a 5 star because they will not allow me to give a 50!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Vickie Burr – Jan 10, 2020
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About Me

care philosophy

Texas Spine and Neurosurgery is a neurosurgical practice which specializes in the coordination of both surgical and conservative treatment options.  We treat herniated discs, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, spondylolisthesis, spondylosis,...read more

biography

Dr. Z is a Stanford trained neurosurgeon who specializes in the coordination of both surgical and conservative treatment options for disorders of the spine and peripheral nerves. If conservative therapy fails, Dr. Z is the first in the country...read more
  • Neurological Spine Surgery

  • Neurosurgery

  • Minimally Invasive Neurological Spine Surgery

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • Stanford University

    Fellowship Hospital, 2002
  • Mcgill University Faculty Med Hospital Montreal, Quebec Canada

    Residency Hospital, 2001
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Neurological Surgery®
Neurosurgery
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.
  • English

  • French

Dr. Zielinski is a Healthgrades Choice provider in Neurosurgery

  • J.W. McConnell Award Top 5% of Medical Class, 1993

  • Pratt & Whitney Schalarship, GPA of 3.5+, 1990-1994

  • Dean's List, McGill University, 1990-1995

  • Money Magazine; Ranked First in Back & Neck Surgery on West Coast of the U.S.A., 2003

Read our methodology

Locations

Practice

Unavail4515 Lake Shore Dr Waco, TX 76710
1
  • Call
  • Fax
  • Hours
    • Mon: 8:30am - 4:30pm
    • Tue: 8:30am - 4:30pm
    • Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
    • Thu: 8:30am - 4:30pm
    • Fri: 8:30am - 12:30pm
    • Sat: closed
    • Sun: closed
  • Directions

Practice

Twin Health and Wellness Center1323 E Franklin St Ste 102 Hillsboro, TX 76645
2

Practice

Office4405 Lilac Ln Victoria, TX 77901
3

Affiliated Hospitals

  • Yoakum Community Hospital

    1200 Carl Ramert Dr
    Yoakum, TX 77995

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    95%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    7% higher than the national average

    93%
    Patients said their room and bathroom were always kept clean

    16% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback
  • Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Hillcrest

    100 Hillcrest Medical Blvd
    Waco, TX 76712
    Recipient of 7
    hospital awards

    America's 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025)

    Top 5% in the nation for consistently delivering clinical quality

    Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ (2024)

    Top 5% in the nation for consistently delivering clinical quality

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    89%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    5% higher than the national average

    81%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    5% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback
  • Parkview Regional Hospital

    600 S Bonham St
    Mexia, TX 76667

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    89%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    7% higher than the national average

    88%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home
    View all patient feedback
Learn more about how Healthgrades measures Hospital Quality