Here are 38 trailblazing female spine surgeons to know. If you would like to recommend an addition to this list, contact Jessica Kim Cohen at jcohen@beckershealthcare.com.
Dheera Ananthakrishnan, MD (Emory Healthcare, Atlanta). Dr. Ananthakrishnan is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in adult and adolescent scoliosis. Prior to joining Emory Healthcare, she worked with Doctors Without Borders in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and served as a volunteer consultant at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. She cofounded Orthopaedic Link, a nonprofit that works to improve orthopedic care in developing countries. She is a candidate member of the Scoliosis Research Society.
Jessica P. Aidlen, MD (Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Mass.). Dr. Aidlen is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in disc herniations, spinal stenosis, cervical spine problems, spine trauma and back problems in athletes. Her research, which has been published in journals such as The Open Orthopaedics Journal and Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, investigates complications in spinal surgery.
Carmina F. Angeles, MD, PhD (NeuroSpine Institute, Eugene, Ore.). Dr. Angeles is a neurosurgeon specializing in disc herniation, lumbar stenosis and degenerative spinal condition treatments, with a focus on minimally invasive procedures. Along with the NeuroSpine Institute, Dr. Angeles' hospital appointments include two institutions in Springfield, Ore.: PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend and Mckenzie-Willamette Medical Center. She holds memberships with Oregon Medical Association, American Association of Neurological Surgeons and North American Spine Society.
Jamie L. Baisden, MD (Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee). Dr. Baisden is a neurosurgeon specializing in complex spinal surgery, including disc herniation, spinal tumor and spinal degenerative disease treatments. Her research, which has been published in journals such as The Spine Journal and Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, investigates experimental models of spine surgical techniques and developing clinical guidelines for spine surgery. In 2002, she was named a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Kara Beasley, DO (Boulder Neurosurgical & Spine Associates, Boulder, Colo.). Dr. Beasley is a neurosurgeon specializing in treatments for movement disorders and epilepsy. Her research experience includes investigating the safety of spinal technology; she is the principal investigator for a study comparing manual and automatic position-adaptive spinal cord stimulation with surgical leads. She is active in the osteopathic professional community: from 2001 to 2004 she sat on the American Osteopathic Association's committee on constitution and bylaws and in 2010 she was awarded a scientific writing award from the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.
Erica F. Bisson, MD (University of Utah Health Care, Salt Lake City). Dr. Bisson is a neurosurgeon specializing in artificial disc and fusion technology. Her other professional interests include occipitocervical disease, cervical degenerative disorders, advanced spinal fusion techniques and image-guided surgery; she is the principal investigator for a national trial investigating ventral and dorsal fusion in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Dr. Bisson is a fellow of the American Board of Neurological Surgery and is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons' spine section.
Evalina Burger, MD (University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora). Dr. Burger is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in adult spinal diseases, including spinal deformity and scoliosis. She practices at the University of Colorado Spine Center and serves in the department of orthopedics as both the vice chair and a professor. She holds memberships with American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, International College of Surgeons and Orthopaedic Research Society, among other professional societies.
Lauren Burke, MD (Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Ill.). Dr. Burke is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in scoliosis, spinal disc disease and cervical lumbar disc disorder treatments. She serves as an assistant professor in Loyola University Medical Center's orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation department. Prior to joining the medical center, she practiced at Connecticut-based Orthopedic Associates of Hartford.
Janet Dunlap, MD (Carlsbad Surgery Center, California). Dr. Dunlap is an orthopedic spine surgeon certified in robot-assisted minimally invasive spine surgery. Her research, which has been published in journals such as Spine and American Journal of Sports Medicine, investigates injuries affecting the anterior cruciate ligament, tendon and tibia.
Nancy Epstein, MD (Winthrop Neuroscience Medical, Mineola, N.Y.). Dr. Epstein is a neurosurgeon specializing in spinal care. She is the chief of neurosurgical spine and education at Mineola-based Winthrop-University Hospital and a clinical professor of neurological surgery at New York City-based Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Epstein sits on the editorial boards of six spine journals, including Spine, Clinical Spine Surgery and The Spine Journal. She holds memberships with professional societies such as Cervical Spine Research Society, where she served as president in 2001.
Melissa M. Erickson, MD (Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.). Dr. Erickson is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in cervical, thoracic and lumbar conditions. Her research, which has been published in journals such as Journal of Orthopaedic Research and Orthopedic Clinics of North America, investigates diagnosis and management of spinal deformities. Dr. Erickson holds memberships with American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society.
Sarah Fouke, MD (St. Luke's Hospital, Chesterfield, Mo.). Dr. Fouke is a neurosurgeon specializing in adult hydrocephalus, degenerative spinal condition and tumor treatment, including radiosurgical procedures. Prior to joining St. Luke's Hospital, she directed the neurosurgical research program, adult hydrocephalus program and neurosurgical radiosurgery program at Swedish Neuroscience Institute in Seattle.
Aruna Ganju, MD (Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago). Dr. Ganju is a neurosurgeon specializing in spinal column and spinal cord disease treatments. She serves as an assistant professor of neurological surgery at Chicago-based Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Her research, which has been published in journals such as Journal of Neurosurgery and Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, investigates surgical outcomes of patients with conditions spanning post-traumatic syringomyelia to lumbar spondylolisthesis.
Judith L. Gorelick, MD (Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics and Spine Specialists, Shelton, Conn.). Dr. Gorelick is a neurosurgeon specializing in degenerative cervical conditions and lumbar spinal conditions. She serves as the section chief of neurosurgery at Derby, Conn.-based Griffin Hospital and teaches spinal anatomy at New Haven, Conn.-based Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Gorelick is a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons.
Betsy H. Grunch, MD (The Longstreet Clinic, Gainesville, Ga.). Dr. Grunch is a neurosurgeon specializing in in minimally invasive spine surgery and neurotrauma, including acute surgical management of traumatic spinal cord injuries. She has hospital privileges at two other institutions in Gainesville, Ga.: Northeast Georgia Medical Center and Gainesville Surgery Center. Dr. Grunch holds memberships with American College of Surgeons, Association of Women Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons, among other professional societies.
Heidi Hullinger, MD (New Jersey Spine Specialists, Summit). Dr. Hullinger is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in spinal deformity and tumor treatments. Her research has appeared in journals such as Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics and Journal of Neurobiology. Dr. Hullinger served five years as a board member on the National Board of Medical Examiners and holds memberships with American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, among other professional societies.
Serena Hu, MD (Stanford Orthopaedic Spine Center, Redwood City, Calif.). Dr. Hu is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in cervical radiculopathy, kyphosis and scoliosis, among other practice areas. Outside of her clinical interests, Dr. Hu is a professor of orthopedic surgery at Stanford School of Medicine in California. Her research, which has been published in journals such as Spine, investigates metastatic spinal fractures, disc degeneration and paralysis.
Jocelyn Idema, DO (Mid-Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute, Frederick, Hagerstown and Urbana). Dr. Idema is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in cervical, thoracic and lumbar conditions. Her areas of clinical expertise include performing eXtreme lateral interbody fusion, anterior lumbar interbody fusion, kyphoplasty and cervical disc replacements. Dr. Idema holds memberships with American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics and Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, among other professional societies.
Jennifer S. Kang, MD (Denver Health, Colorado). Dr. Kang is a neurosurgeon specializing in cervical surgery, spinal cord tumors and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. Prior to joining Denver Health, she practiced at Neurosurgical Associates of Denver. Dr. Kang holds memberships with American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and Colorado Medical Society, among other professional societies.
Youjeong Kim, MD (California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco). Dr. Kim is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in cervical spine disease, lumbar spine surgery and scoliosis surgery, among other clinical areas. Prior to joining California Pacific Medical Center, she practiced at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Dr. Kim has volunteered with Orthopaedics Overseas, treating patients in China and South Africa.
Rebecca Kuo, MD, JD (MK Orthopaedics, Joliet, Ill.). Dr. Kuo is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in cervical decompression, lumbar decompression and spinal deformity treatment. Prior to joining MK Orthopaedics, she practiced at Joliet, Ill.-based Meridian Medical Associates. Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Kuo also pursued a law degree at Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she studied civil and criminal litigation.
Julie A. Long, MD (Northern California Spine Institute, Pleasanton, Calif.). Dr. Long is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in scoliosis, spinal deformity and spinal reconstruction. Prior to joining Northern California Spine Institute, she practiced at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine. Dr. Long holds memberships with North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Marcella Madera, MD (Austin Brain and Spine, Texas). Dr. Madera is a neurosurgeon specializing in complex spinal disorders. Prior to joining Austin Brain and Spine, Dr. Madera served as a faculty instructor of neurosurgery at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she also completed her fellowship training. She holds memberships with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, among other professional societies.
Lynn Miller, DO (Minnesota Disc Replacement and Spine Restoration Center, Edina Minn.). Dr. Miller is a neurosurgeon specializing in artificial discs, tethered cord release and degenerative spine disease treatment. Outside of spine surgery, her other clinical interests include brain tumor surgery and chiari malformations. She holds memberships with American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, Women in Neurosurgery-American Association of Neurological Surgeons and American Association of Integrative Medicine.
Joan O'Shea, MD (The Spine Institute of Southern New Jersey, Marlton). Dr. O'Shea is a board-certified neurosurgeon with additional fellowship training in orthopedic spine surgery. She founded both The Spine Institute of Southern New Jersey and the first outpatient spine surgical center in the area, the South Jersey Surgical Center, which is based in Mt. Laurel, N.J. She is active in the Medical Society of New Jersey and the Camden County Medical Society.
Donna A. Saatman, MD (Florida Orthopaedic Institute, North Tampa, Brandon and Sun City Center). Dr. Saatman is a neurosurgeon specializing in adult degenerative spine and peripheral nerve disease treatments. She has served on medical advisory boards, participated in clinical outcomes trials and presented professional lectures. Dr. Saatman holds memberships with American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and North American Spine Society.
Jessica Shellock, MD (Texas Back Institute, Plano). Dr. Shellock is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in treatments for back and neck conditions. Her research, which has been published in textbooks and journals, investigates lumbar disc arthroplasty and spinal sports injuries. Dr. Shellock holds memberships with American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and Florida Orthopedic Society.
Jayashree Srinivasan, MD (Neurosurgical Consultants of Washington, Seattle). Dr. Srinivasan is a neurosurgeon specializing in cerebrovascular diseases, degenerative spinal conditions and spinal tumor treatments. Prior to joining Neurosurgical Consultants of Washington, she served as an assistant professor at Chicago-based Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine's department of neurological surgery. Dr. Srinivasan holds memberships with American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and North American Spine Society.
Tiffany Rogers, MD (Torrance Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group, Torrance, Calif.). Dr. Rogers is an orthopedic spine surgeon. Her research interests encompass atraumatic cervical spondyloptosis, fracture management in spinal cord injury and small wire fixation in tibial pilon fractures. Prior to joining Torrance Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group, she practiced at offices including Long Beach, Calif.-based Beach Orthopedic Associates and Huntington, Calif.-based Pacifica Orthopedics. Dr. Rogers holds memberships with American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society.
Dawn Tartaglione, DO (AllianceHealth Midwest, Midwest City, Okla.). Dr. Tartaglione is a neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment of traumatic injuries, degenerative diseases, spinal tumors and herniated discs. She is the president of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, an organization for which she was also elected a fellow.
Elizabeth Trinidad, MD (Spine & Orthopedic Specialists of South Florida, Boynton Beach). Dr. Trinidad is a neurosurgeon specializing in anterior cervical discectomy, cervical disc replacement and lumbar discectomy. Prior to joining Spine & Orthopedic Specialists of South Florida, she practiced at Rockville Centre, N.Y.-based Pediatric Neurosurgery Center at Neurological Surgery. Dr. Trinidad served as a Lieutenant Colonel with the United States Army Reserve, and she was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Cathleen S. Van Buskirk, MD (Alpine Spine Center, Boulder, Colo.). Dr. Buskirk is an orthopedic spine surgeon with expertise in pediatric orthopedic spine surgery. Outside of her clinical practice, Dr. Buskirk has been published in textbooks such as Surgical Approaches to the Spine and Contemporary Management of Spinal Cord Injury. She holds memberships with Scoliosis Research Society, North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Alexis M. Waguespack, MD (SpineCare Medical Group, New Orleans). Dr. Waguespack is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine disorder treatments. She is one of the few spine specialists trained in minimally invasive sacroiliac joint surgery, along with other minimally invasive surgical treatments of spinal deformity. She holds memberships with North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Society of Lateral Access Surgery.
Kimberly Walpert, MD (Athens Brain & Spine, Georgia). Dr. Walpert is a neurosurgeon with an interest in sports medicine. She has served a consultant to the Athens-based University of Georgia's sports medicine program for more than 10 years and has spent more than a year on the NCAA Division I Concussion Safety Protocol Committee. She holds memberships with American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Medical Association of Georgia and Neurosurgical Society of America, among other professional societies.
Marjorie C. Wang, MD (Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee). Dr. Wang is a neurosurgeon specializing in disc herniations, spinal degenerative diseases and spinal stenosis treatments. Her research, which has been published in journals such as Neurosurgery and The Spine Journal, investigates the role imaging plays in spinal procedures, among other factors that impact surgical outcomes. Along with being a professor of neurosurgery at Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Wang is also the college's director of community neurosurgery and the vice chair for operations and quality.
Sarah Woodrow, MD (University of Kansas Hospital Comprehensive Spine Center, Kansas City). Dr. Woodrow is a neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment of spinal disorders, diseases and tumors. She practices at University of Kansas Medical Center, where she serves as an assistant professor. Dr. Woodrow also serves as a reviewer for Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery.
Elizabeth Yu, MD (Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus). Dr. Yu is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in spinal stenosis, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease and degenerative scoliosis. Outside of her clinical practice, she also serves as an assistant professor of orthopedics, division of spine, at Ohio State University. Her research, which has been published in journals such as the American Journal of Orthopedics and the Global Spine Journal, investigates biomechanics of the spine, dynamic stabilization, fracture fixation, intervertebral disc degeneration and patient outcome factors.
Debra A. Zillmer, MD (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.). Dr. Zillmer is an orthopedic spine surgeon with clinical interests in women's bone and joint health, rehabilitation of sports-related injuries and nonoperative orthopedics. She has served as the team physician for U.S. Women's National Soccer Team and U.S. Under-19 Women's National Soccer Team. Dr. Zillmer holds a certification from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.