Dr. Jaime Gasco is a dual board-certified neurosurgeon who has dedicated his career to delivering the most advanced, least invasive spine solutions available. Practicing neurosurgery since 2011 and serving patients in El Paso with UMC and its partners since 2019, he currently holds the position of Medical Director of Neurosurgery at UMC Surgical Hospital.

Trained at the University of Valencia Medical School in Spain and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Dr. Gasco is one of the few neurosurgeons in the world dual board-certified in both the United States and Europe. He has authored three neurosurgical textbooks and published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles.

Dr. Gasco specializes exclusively in modern minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery. After completing advanced international endoscopic training in Spain in 2024, he has become a regional leader in bringing these sophisticated techniques to El Paso. He is also recognized as a national expert in the OLLIF procedure — an ultra-minimally invasive fusion technique — and is one of only a handful of neurosurgeons in the United States to hold Level IV certification. With more than 400 minimally invasive fusions performed, these approaches allow many patients to experience significantly less pain, smaller incisions, and faster return to daily life compared with traditional open surgery.

Dr. Gasco has been recognized in Texas Best Doctors (2023) and featured on KTSM News (2026).

Dr. Harold K. Smith received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Dr. Smith completed his residency in neurological surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi.

He is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and has been practicing medicine since 1988.

Dr. Smith has extensive experience in spinal and intracranial neurosurgery, skull base, vascular, functional and tumor neurosurgery, as well as stereotactic radiosurgery and image guided robotically assisted spinal surgery.

He has pioneered the use of fluorescence guidance and awake techniques for the resection of complex brain tumors.

Learn more about Dr. Smith.

Dr. Patrick Cotton is a native West Texan who returned to the region after joining Nexus Neurosurgery. He offers comprehensive care for a wide range of neurological conditions.

Dr. Cotton completed his undergraduate training at the University of Texas in Austin, followed by medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston. He then completed his neurosurgical residency at the prestigious Baylor College of Medicine/MD Anderson Cancer Center Program, culminating in a fellowship in Endovascular Neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine.

Dr. Cotton's training provided him with a strong foundation in general neurosurgery, encompassing trauma, spine, cranial, and peripheral nerve procedures. His experience at MD Anderson honed his expertise in neuro-oncology, making him adept in treating brain and spine tumors.

Notably, Dr. Cotton is the only CAST accredited and fellowship trained comprehensive cerebrovascular neurosurgeon in the El Paso region.

This unique qualification enables him to adopt a patient-centric approach to diseases of the brain, neck, and spine blood vessels. He offers customized recommendations for each patient, determining whether a minimally invasive endovascular procedure or a surgical solution is optimal for their specific condition.

Dr. Cotton utilizes cutting-edge techniques such as advanced neuroimaging, computer-assisted navigation, robot assisted spine surgery, and minimally invasive approaches in his practice.

Whether addressing common neurological issues or tackling rare and complex cases, Dr. Cotton brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to each patient encounter. His approach combines state-of-the-art techniques with compassionate care, ensuring the best possible outcomes for his patients.

Learn more about Dr. Cotton.

Dr. James Lee received his undergraduate degree from Fordham University and completed his medical education at the University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine. He then pursued neurosurgery residency training at Dartmouth, with an infolded fellowship in spine surgery.

Dr. Lee specializes in spinal deformity, spinal oncology, intrinsic spinal cord tumors, degenerative spinal stenosis, disc herniations, Chiari malformations, and cranial trauma.

He is skilled in complex spinal surgery and minimally invasive techniques, including the use of spinal cord stimulators and epidural steroid injections for pain relief. Additionally, Dr. Lee has expertise in robotic surgery and stereotactic image guidance.

Committed to providing advanced, patient-centered care, Dr. Lee continues to integrate the latest innovations in neurosurgery to enhance patient outcomes.

Learn more about Dr. Lee.

Dr. Kristopher G. Hooten is a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in neurosurgery with subspecialties in complex spine surgery and pediatric neurosurgery.

He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine, completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Florida, and pursued fellowship training at Duke University. Following training, Dr. Hooten served in the United States Army allowing him to care for patients in many parts of the world.

Dr. Hooten has advanced training in pediatric neurosurgery, neurosurgical and orthopedic spine surgery, peripheral nerve and brachial plexus surgery.

His clinical expertise includes comprehensive pediatric neurological surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, neurosurgical trauma and critical care, spine traumatology, scoliosis and spine deformity surgery, spinal tumors, degenerative spine surgery, and Chiari malformations.

From his time in United States Army, Dr. Hooten understands the importance of teamwork in medicine and is grateful to work alongside the outstanding team at Nexus to provide world class neurosurgical care here in El Paso.

In addition to his surgical practice, Dr. Hooten is an assistant editor and has authored numerous publications in leading neurosurgery journals, with a notable focus on military neurosurgery.

Learn more about Dr. Hooten.

Dr. Jose Marin Sanchez is from El Paso and specializes in complex spine surgery and cranial neurosurgery.

He has also participated in research focused on complex spinal conditions and neurodegenerative disorders.

Specifically, Dr. Marin Sanchez specializes in complex spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal tumors, degenerative spine disease, traumatic spine injuries, spinal deformities, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, trigeminal neuralgia, and hydrocephalus.

He is also trained in Gamma Knife radiosurgery, a noninvasive treatment that uses highly focused radiation to treat certain brain conditions.