Dr. Carl J. Sartorius
After dedicating over 35 years of his life to the patients and colleagues of Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Dr. Carl Sartorius will officially retire on December 31, 2025.
Dr. Carl J. Sartorius began his career in 1990 with the Indianapolis Neurosurgical Group (ING), now known as Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine. When he started at ING, there were only 10 other physicians in the group. During this formative period, he developed and refined his clinical specialties. His areas of expertise included surgical treatment of the cervical and lumbar spine as well as the surgical treatment of brain tumors. He quickly became an integral part of developing the foundation that defined excellence and integrity within this group.
Dr. Sartorius’ treatment philosophy has always involved devotion to his patients and their families. “We are meeting people at their weakest, most vulnerable moment and we have the ability to change lives immensely,” he shared. He created personalized treatment programs for patients and incorporated compassionate care of the patient and family. Kathy Butz, his nurse for 26 years said, “His clinical expertise is only matched by his genuine compassion and connection to his patients and their families. His knowledge and wisdom, which he has always shared so freely, has helped all us to become better members of the health care team.”
Goodman Campbell CEO, Derek Cantrell shared, “He gifted us with showing the human aspect of neurosurgery. His patients and families were treated like his own family members. He followed up personally with his patients by phoning them after surgery. He shared his personal cell phone number with every surgical patient he treated (hopefully they didn’t call him at 3:00am!). He has been an integral part of the culture of Goodman Campbell with his work for many years as Chair of the Quality Committee. Helping to ensure the continued focus on doing the right thing for patients and holding his own colleagues accountable is such a unique part of what binds this group together.”
He has always held a deep commitment to education, dedicating himself to sharing knowledge and guiding others. He has been and will continue (even after retirement) to be very involved in creating educational tools for different disciplines, mentoring younger neurosurgeons in the group, and evaluating quality measures.
Colleague Dr. Eric Potts shared, “Carl is a fantastic mentor and an insightful voice of reason. He is patient with everyone around him and consistently offers sound advice.” Dr. Jean-Pierre Mobasser, President of Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, added ” Dr. Sartorius was instrumental in advancing our Quality Committee which provides oversight into the care that all Goodman Campbell clinical providers deliver throughout our various sites, ensuring the best patient experience is being provided. Dr. Sartorius also facilitated development and leadership of the Co-Management Services Department improving our hospital neurosurgical programs. These accomplishments have left a legacy that will continue to shape the future of our group. Thank you Carl.”
Why neurosurgery?
Dr. Sartorius was born in Chattanooga, TN and came from humble beginnings. “My mom, Nancy, was a nurse and director of surgery. She was the one who turned me onto a career in medicine. Later in her life, she even visited the operating room and observed a surgery I performed. As far as neurosurgery, I really loved neuroanatomy, a surgical discipline seemed to resonate in terms of the commitment required, and I really hoped to help those with the most severe problems.”
Why Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine?
“My goal was to spend my entire career with one organization, and I was fortunate to be able to do that. Indianapolis Neurosurgical Group embodied qualities that I sought in an employer and this continued with Goodman Campbell. I was able to create my own practice that allowed me to spend time with my patients and their families and focus my energies on specific surgical subspecialties and procedures.”
“I am blessed to have been a member of Goodman Campbell. I have made friends for a lifetime, and even met my wife Andrea in the operating room.”
Meet the team
“My success was because of my team. Each team member worked with me for at least 25 years!”
Dan Glover, CST
My right hand man in surgery for over three decades. The wonderful surgical outcomes our patients received, in large part, are because of Dan’s expertise and skill. I couldn’t have done it without him.
Dru Darring, Medical Administrative Assistant
The behind the scenes superstar who blessed me with her planning, scheduling, juggling, and organization- which continuously kept our practice running smoothly.
Kathy Butz, RN
I was honored to work with one of the most competent, neurosurgical clinical team members. Her knowledge of our specialty, her problem solving ability, and the care she gave to our patients was incomparable.
Was there a memorable moment in your career?
During his career Dr. Sartorius was responsible for pioneering brain mapping for awake craniotomy in the community setting. He discovered iced Ringers Lactate solution applied directly to an exposed, seizing brain, immediately terminated seizures. Published in the Journal of Neurosurgery in 1998, Dr. Sartorius humbly stated, “Iced ringers is probably my one contribution to the world literature that is still used in surgery today.”
During his career, Dr. Sartorius also served as:
- Program Clinical Director of Management Services at ProHealth Care (Waukesha, WI) and Union Health (Terre Haute, IN)
- Faculty at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital Indianapolis
- Assistant Clinical Professor, Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine at Marian University
- Chairman of Neurosurgery at the Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, where he taught residents for many years
He was the recipient of the Ascension St. Vincent Distinguished Physician Award in 2019, which he described as “one of the biggest nights of my life.” He also received the Indianapolis Monthly Top Doctors award multiple times.
Life beyond the operating room
- At an early age he became an Eagle Scout and learned to play the piano (a skill he maintains to this day).
- He enjoys being outdoors and loved working on his farm, which he recently sold.
- “Carl loves great food, good wine and traveling. If you ever need a restaurant suggestion when you are traveling, he knows the best places and frequently the best thing to order.”- Dr. Eric Potts
- He values time with his wife and family, including his two dogs, and participating in faith-based activities.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to new neurosurgeons?
“My wife and I both underwent spine surgery with Goodman Campbell. As a former patient myself, I have a unique insight into what it was like to be a patient undergoing spine surgery. My advice to young neurosurgeons is seek to love your patients, their families and our team as you do for your own loved ones. Needing a neurosurgeon is a scary thing. For patients and families, the thought of having brain or spine surgery is unbelievably daunting, even terrifying. Treat them as your dearest family… And never forget that it’s much harder for them than it is for you.”
What do you have in store for retirement?
“I plan to spend time with my wife Andrea and two border terriers (terrors!) Frances and Agatha, become even more involved with my church, play more golf, enjoy more travel and exercise, and work on my eyewear collection.”
A walk down memory lane!
- Carl treated the surgery room people with respect and always thanked them when we were done with a case. He was meticulous, had outstanding technical skills, and handled emergency situations calmly. On a lighter note, we listened to yacht rock music during surgery and would crank it up and sing while closing the incisions, especially around Christmas. One of our best duets was “Christmas in Dixie”. It was a blessing to work with Carl for 35 years. He has been more than an employer to me: he’s been a good friend and confidante. Love you brother- have a well deserved retirement! -Dan Glover, CST
- Many of us remember his hall walks with patients who were able, and his post op phone calls to every patient after they were home from surgery. “If you were my family member” was a hallmark of tough conversations and emblematic of his humanity of service. He will be missed, but never forgotten, by his patients as well as his colleagues. “One of a kind” is an understatement! – Kathy Butz, RN
- He has dedicated hours to teaching neurosurgery imaging, leaving a series of recordings for future learning. In addition to the clinic, he ushered the group through outside hospital relationships, such as helping to establish transfer and inpatient guidelines. -Kim Springer
- I’ve enjoyed watching Dr. Sartorius teach. It’s the perfect combination of being a game show contestant with a father figure by your side. The lecture attendees always come away much stronger prepared, both in neurosurgery and life. -Kathy Flint
- I will remember so many laughs with he and Dr. Cooper at dinners and behind the scenes at the office. Also I fondly remember how he and the late Dr. Peter Hall were such great friends and colleagues. Carl has become a dear friend. Funny texts. Sharing pictures from our travels and food! Enjoyable recruiting dinner conversations. Wonderful times at “The Farm.” One hasn’t lived the fullest unless you have taken the midnight ride on The Gator at The Farm! The giant bonfires and one year The Punkin Holler Boys performed by the fire! Thank you for all of those memories and the compassionate care provided to so many patients during your career. -Derek Cantrell
- I have been a Carl Sartorius fan for a long time. In fact, it began the summer after my first year of medical school. I had no idea what specialty I would pursue. I was shadowing physicians and somebody suggested I shadow an anesthesiologist for a day. One of the cases in the room that day was Dr. Sartorius operating on a gentleman with osteogenesis imperfecta and a depressed skull fracture. After the case started, he quickly asked me a question about the red nucleus. I thought to myself, perhaps like most people in that situation, “I am shadowing ANESTHESIA here”, but thankfully, he gave me the answer before I could look foolish. Years later, when I was a neurosurgery resident, I would look through the programs for national meetings, happily see Dr. Carl Sartorius as faculty for the intraoperative brain mapping course, and say to myself “I know that guy!”- Eric Potts, MD
As we honor Dr. Sartorius’ more than 35 years of extraordinary service, we extend our deepest gratitude for the care and commitment he has shown. You will truly be missed, and we wish you nothing but the very best in retirement!
