Ritu N Zacharias, MD

Ritu N. Zacharias, M.D., is the medical director of the Division of Physiatry at Henry Ford Hospital, and the director of Medical Spine Services for Henry Ford Health System. Her special interests include conservative spine care, multidisciplinary pain management, senior spine care, sports and rehabilitation medicine, and musculoskeletal disease in women.

One of her major accomplishments is the creation of a Physiatry program at Henry Ford Hospital. She also designed and leads the new Spine Prehab Program at Henry Ford Hospital and Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. This perioperative spine surgery program helps prepare patients for surgery and improves their outcomes. Dr. Zacharias also enjoys presenting talks to the community on patient-centered spine and musculoskeletal medicine.

Dr. Zacharias is also clinical faculty in the Department of Neurosurgery and the Pain Medicine Division, and actively trains Pain fellows and medical students. She collaborates with experts from the Departments of Orthopedics, Neurology, Pain Medicine & Anesthesia, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiology, and Integrative Medicine to provide a holistic approach to patient care.

Dr. Zacharias attended the University of Chicago for her undergraduate studies, and then completed medical school at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. After training as a resident in physical medicine at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, where she served as chief resident during her final year. Dr. Zacharias also completed a spine fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital.

Titles

• Medical Director, Division of Physiatry, Henry Ford Hospital
• Director, Medical Spine Services, Henry Ford Health System

Care Philosophy

"I offer a collaborative approach to improve the quality of life for those living with pain and dysfunction. This approach involves working with rehabilitation specialists, sports medicine experts, pain management specialists, surgeons, integrative health experts, and pain psychologists. My personal goal is to help my patients live their fullest lives and improve their overall well being."

Awards & Honors

Dr. Zacharias is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Medical Association, the Michigan Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State Medical Society and the Oakland County Medical Society, and the Pain and Neuromuscular Council. She has been awarded by Hour Detroit as “Top Doc” every year since she began her clinical practice.