Independence Health System welcomes neurosurgeons David Kojo Hamilton, MD, and Nitin Agarwal, MD

GREENSBURG, Pa., July 16, 2026 … Independence Health System today announced that Nitin Agarwal, MD, and David Kojo Hamilton, MD, have joined the neurosurgery department. Drs. Agarwal and Hamilton are board-certified in neurological surgery. 

“We welcome Drs. Hamilton and Agarwal to Independence Health System and are pleased for them to serve the patient community with their extensive level of skill and expertise in neurological surgery,” said Brian Fritz, president Westmoreland, Latrobe & Frick Hospitals. “These accomplished healthcare providers will enable patients to receive the highest quality of care through their diverse areas of specialties, training, and experience.” 

Dr. Agarwal earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and his Bachelor of Science degree from The College of New Jersey. He completed his residency in neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), where he was chief resident. He completed his fellowship in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery, as well as additional specialized postgraduate training. He most recently served as chief executive officer and clinical advisor at Novuosis Scientific, and acting chief of neurological surgery at the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, and he has held several academic roles. 

Dr. Hamilton earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Master of Business Administration degree from Eastern University, and Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. He served in residencies in neurological surgery at the University of Virginia Health System and Auckland City Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. He also completed an AO complex spine fellowship at the University of Virginia Health System. He most recently served as professor of neurological surgery and director and chief of the Neurological Spine Service Division at UPMC, as well as staff neurosurgeon at the Veterans Affairs Hospital, Pittsburgh and director of the Spine Computational Outcomes Learning Institute (SCOLI).  

Drs. Agarwal and Hamilton will be affiliated with Latrobe, Westmoreland, and Frick Hospitals. They will be accepting new patients 18 years of age and older. Patients can call 724-532-0866 to schedule an appointment. To learn more about neurosurgery at Independence Health System, visit www.independence.health. 

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About Independence Health System
Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 7,000 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning a multi-county region. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health.