The Society for Advanced Spinal Intervention has announced its launch via the internet and has made known its initiatives and goals.

A study, reported at the 15th Congress of the International Headache Society in Berlin, of Autonomic Technologies' implantable neurostimulation system for the treatment of cluster headache reported positive preliminary findings.

Clarence L. Shields, MD, an associate clinical professor at the University of Southern California in the department of orthopedics, will be inducted into the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Hall of Fame later this week at the organization's annual meeting, according to an AOSSM news release.

Frank Cammisa Jr., MD (Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City). Dr. Cammisa is the chief of the spine service at the Hospital for Special Surgery and an assistant scientist in the hospital's research division. He also serves as an associate professor of surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. In his practice, Dr. Cammisa has special expertise in minimally invasive surgeries, laparoscopic spinal surgery, computer assisted spine surgery and treating athletic spinal injuries. He has performed surgical intervention for several professional athletes and earned recognition from the Eastern Orthopaedic Association for his research. Dr. Cammisa earned his medical degree at the College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at HSS. His additional training includes a spine surgery fellowship at the University of Miami and the North American Traveling Fellowship from the American Orthopaedic Association.

Theralase Technologies has appointed James R. Andrews, MD, as chairman to its Medical and Scientific Advisory Board, according to a company news release.

Here is a list of 10 spine surgeons who have received research grants from the North American Spine Society over the past five years.

Neel Anand, MD (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles). Dr. Anand is the director of orthopedic spine surgery at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center, where he also researches minimally invasive surgical techniques for spinal disorders and traumas. During his career, he has been actively involved in developing technologies for non-fusion spine surgery and served as a principle investigator for several FDA device exemption studies. Dr. Anand has published papers in several professional journals, including the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. He is a member of the North American Spine Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his medical degree from the University of Mumbai, Topiwala National Medical College in India. He also completed a spine surgery fellowship at the University of Florida Spinal Health Centers in Gainesville and a trauma fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

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This list is sponsored by Bacterin International.