SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Meet the hometown doctor who’s made a career of serving his neighbors.
Barrington: 27401 Hwy. 22 | Crystal Lake: 815 Cog Circle | McHenry: 406 Front St.
To make an appointment today call (847) 381-0388 or visit ibji.com
Serving the people of McHenry County and southwest Lake County is more than just a passion for Dr. Gregory Brebach. It’s personal.
Born and raised in the greater Barrington area, Brebach has spent more than two decades serving friends and neighbors as a spine surgeon for Illinois Bone & Joint Institute.
“I really didn’t anticipate moving back to my hometown area, but here I am and it’s great,” he says. “I’m taking care of my teachers and my old principals, old friends, friends’ parents. It’s really fun to see them and to be part of this community.”
With locations now serving Barrington, McHenry, Crystal Lake, Algonquin and beyond, IBJI specializes in a wide range of orthopedic specialties, with highly trained physicians such as Brebach and a team of certified physical and occupational therapists.
Brebach’s practice focuses on spine disorders and surgical interventions, including minimally invasive techniques. The board-certified orthopedic surgeon finished first in his class at Rush Medical College in Chicago and completed a spine fellowship at William Beaumont Hospital near Detroit. His research and expertise have been published in a variety of journals, abstracts and textbooks.
For the vast majority of his patients, treating injuries or aging-related effects will involve noninvasive measures such as medications, therapy and injections, Brebach says. For the 5-8% of patients for whom surgery is the best option, Brebach pursues minimally invasive techniques as much as possible. The result is often life-changing.
“It’s always a good feeling when you get a hug from somebody saying, ‘You really changed my life. Thank you,’” says Brebach, who’s also a partner in IBJI. “You get a smile and a handshake when you discharge a patient from care, and you know they’re a different person because of what you did together. That’s the most gratifying thing.”
When he’s not seeing patients, Brebach enjoys golfing, hiking, skiing and following his teenaged son and daughter’s athletic pursuits with his wife, Elissa.
“I’m happy to be part of the community, and it’s been a pleasure to serve,” he says. “There are so many nice people here. They’re down to earth, salt-of-the-earth types, and they appreciate good service. That’s what we want to provide: the best service in this region.”