About

A Different Kind of Medicine

Princeton Brain, Spine & Orthopedics was founded in 2005 by Mark R. McLaughlin, MD, FACS, FAANS, who believed medicine should be personal and patient-focused rather than rooted in managed care policies. Our first office was small, but the dream was big—and it resonated with patients searching for compassionate, one-on-one care. Still, the concept was risky, and many people told Dr. McLaughlin it would never work since medicine had increasingly become “big business.”

Practice Philosophy

Our Story

team

Taking the leap

In August 2005, Nirav K. Shah, MD, FACS joined the practice and shared Dr. McLaughlin’s vision—and the two surgeons never looked back. Over the years, the practice has grown significantly, but our commitment remains the same: to be a patient-centered practice focused on relationships. Here, you’ll find neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine specialists, clinicians, and staff members who genuinely care about your health, healing, and quality of life.

And while we accept many insurance carriers, we do not allow insurance to dictate your treatment. Instead, we put you in the driver’s seat.

For more than a decade, PBSO has pursued the belief and dream that there is a place for a unique patient-to-doctor relationship: a relationship rooted in old-fashioned care that calls on the most sophisticated treatment techniques and industry technologies available. It turns out, Dr. McLaughlin was a pioneer—and we celebrated a decade of excellence in March 2015.

In 2025, the practice proudly expanded to include comprehensive orthopedic care, reflecting our evolution into a truly multidisciplinary center. With the addition of orthopedic surgery, PBSO now provides complete care for the brain, spine, joints, and musculoskeletal system—continuing our mission to deliver advanced treatment with compassion and integrity.

Mission

At Princeton Brain, Spine & Orthopedics, our mission is to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care through advanced surgical expertise, innovative treatments, and compassionate support. We are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our patients and their families with integrity, excellence, and respect.

Vision

Our vision is to be a nationally recognized leader in neurosurgical and orthopedic care, an organization of exemplary professionals known for innovation, compassion, and outcomes that transform lives.

Values

Core Values

  • We seek to provide outstanding neurosurgical, orthopedic, and sports medicine care.

  • We are committed to professionalism and integrity when performing our duties.

  • We believe the cornerstone of good medicine lies in the education of our patients and caregivers.

  • We understand that innovation and financial responsibility are keys to a successful practice that puts patients first, even in a constantly changing healthcare environment.

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