Farmingdale, N.Y.-based Misonix appointed Scott Ludecker as vice president of global sales and marketing.

Here are seven underused areas of online potential to have a big impact on spine surgeons and their practices.

This article was written by Dick Pepper, a medical marketing specialist who blogs at VoxMD.com and can be reached at dick This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

First websites, then social media and now you have to make an online video? Although it seems like the list of things on your marketing plate keep growing, video is one that can provide instant measurable returns. Look at the most recent numbers, according to ComScore: more than 450 Billion views of online video in the United States with over 75 million daily unique viewers watching 40 billion videos a month. Netflix, Amazon, and all of the major networks are creating web-only series with high-profile actors. It's not a fad; online video is mainstream and you need to be in it. According to neurosurgeon Tariq Javed, MD, "Watching a video of your surgeon places the patient at ease with the knowledge and skill level of the surgeon. Videos are much more informative than print media since it gets the patients full attention."

By Nicola Hawkinson, DNP, RN, RNFA, CEO of SpineSearch.

The use of the internet within the field of healthcare continues to expand at a rapid rate. More and more physicians have created a "web presence" to attract and retain patients, and more and more patients are accessing physician webpages for their medical needs. By now it is evident that the internet is here to stay and will continue to influence the direction of healthcare for both providers and patients. Therefore it is necessary for your practice to launch an internet and social media strategy.

At the 11th Annual Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference, in Chicago, industry experts will give a presentation titled "The Best Ideas for Marketing Spine and for Patient Development."

Robert S. Bray, MD, neurosurgeon and founder of DISC Sports & Spine Center in Marina Del Rey, Calif., has been developing his medical marketing strategy since he first began private practice in the 1980s. After serving as Chief of Neurosurgery in the Air Force, Dr. Bray set out on a path of private practice, building up several notable spine programs and eventually founding his unique structure at DISC. Over time Dr. Bray developed and utilized evolving marketing strategies to connect directly with patients.

SpineMark recently hosted a webinar titled "How to Effectively Market Spine Centers and Spine Surgeons." The program featured Marcy T. Rogers, M.Ed., president and CEO of SpineMark, who shared tips on effectively creating a marketing plan for spine centers and spine surgeons.

On March 12, the FDA issued a warning letter to NuVasive for selling Affix Spinous Process Plate systems for uses not approved by the device's 510(k) clearance.

Here are six tips to drive patients to orthopedic practices.

This article is written by Daniel Goldberg, CEO of Gold Medical Marketing.

With each passing year the medical landscape is plagued with more and more landmines. Declining reimbursements, bundled payments, the looming implementation of Obamacare and the constant rule changes of insurers are just a few of those landmines you need to sidestep this year. However, one of the most explosive of these landmines is the marketing your practice is engaging in. Over the past year I have seen some physician marketing campaigns and efforts that have made me and, more importantly, potential patients cringe.