Dr. Cynthia Zane Africk, MD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon based in Pinehurst, North Carolina, with over 35 years of experience in neurological surgery and spinal care. She earned her medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in 1989 and completed a transitional year internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles before undertaking residency training in neurological surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria from 1992 to 1997. Dr. Africk holds medical licenses in multiple states and is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. She is a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and a member of both the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons, reflecting her commitment to professional excellence and ongoing education. Over the course of her career, she has developed specialized skills in performing complex cranial and spinal procedures—including craniotomies, spinal fusions, lumbar punctures, and carpal tunnel decompressions—and has a particular interest in treating traumatic brain and spinal injuries as well as cerebrovascular conditions. She has published peer-reviewed articles on cerebral vasospasm following tumor resection and on cerebral hemodynamic responses to severe head trauma, which have contributed to the broader understanding of neurosurgical complications and patient outcomes. Dr. Africk also maintains active medical licenses in North Carolina, California, Ohio, and Illinois, underscoring her adherence to stringent licensure requirements and broad clinical governance. Her professional milestones have been featured in industry news, including her appointment at FirstHealth Neurosurgery and inclusion in the “Spine, Neurosurgeons on the Move” series. Currently, she practices at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital and has admitting privileges at Scotland Memorial Hospital, University of North Carolina Hospital, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, FirstHealth Montgomery Memorial Hospital, and Southeastern Regional Medical Center, where she treats conditions such as back pain and spinal stenosis. Her clinical practice encompasses management of back pain, nerve root and plexus disorders, intervertebral disc disease, and a wide range of cerebrovascular and traumatic brain conditions. Recognized for her dedication to patient care, she has earned Meaningful Use Stage 1 certification for EpicCare Ambulatory EMR and is honored as a WebMD Preferred Provider. Dr. Africk is skilled in guiding patients through preoperative planning and postoperative recovery, always emphasizing clear communication and compassionate support. Fluent in English, she serves as a mentor to younger surgeons and contributes to professional societies through lectures and conference presentations. She is registered under NPI number 1841210515. Outside of her clinical duties, Dr. Africk remains committed to research and teaching, regularly attending national meetings of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons to stay abreast of advances in minimally invasive techniques, regenerative therapies, and postoperative rehabilitation strategies. Her combination of surgical expertise, research contributions, and patient-centered approach has established her as a respected leader in neurosurgery, dedicated to delivering the highest standards of care and improving outcomes for patients with complex neurological conditions.
