Here are ten spine surgeon leaders to know at academic medical centers.
Howard S. An, MD (Rush University Medical Center, Chicago). Dr. An serves as the director of the division of spine surgery and the spine fellowship program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He also serves as a professor of orthopedic surgery at Rush and is a physician with Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. He is a member of several professional societies, including North American Spine Society, American Orthopaedic Association and president of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. An has published more than 140 articles and 15 books on spine surgery and instrumentation. He is currently involved in researching spinal biomechanics and tissue engineering with funding from the National Institute of Health, industries and foundations. Dr. An earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. His additional training includes a fellowship at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.
Darrel S. Brodke, MD (University of Utah Healthcare, Salt Lake City). Dr. Brodke is the director of the University Spine Center and vice chair at the medical school. He has a professional interest in cervical spine disorders and complex spine reconstruction. In addition to his clinical interests, Dr. Brodke conducts research in spinal biomechanics. Prior to serving with the university, Dr. Brodke practiced with Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group. Dr. Brodke has also served on the board of directors for the Resources for Medical Education & Collaboration. He earned his medical degree at the University of California in San Francisco and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Theodore J. Choma, MD (University of Missouri Health System). Dr. Choma is the chief of the division of spine surgery at University of Missouri Healthcare and the director of the Missouri Spine Center. He also serves as the vice chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery at the University of Missouri-Columbia. During his career, Dr Choma has served as the chief of spine surgery at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Fort Gordon, Ga., and an assistant professor of surgery, uniformed services, at the University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. He has a professional interest in cervical spine stabilization, lumbar disc disease, spine tumors, spine trauma and spinal biomechanics. Dr. Choma is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. His research interest includes the pedicle screw performance in osteoporotic bone and the testing of bioactive cement in pedicle screw fixation. Dr. Choma earned his medical degree at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk and completed his residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. His additional training includes a fellowship at Twin Cities Spine Center in Minneapolis.
William F. Donaldson, MD (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center). Dr. Donaldson has served as the chief of the division of spine surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He also was recently promoted to professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. In addition to his clinical work. Dr. Donaldson also conducts research on several topics, including cervical spine conditions, and has published articles based on his research in professional journals. He earned his medical degree at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and completed his residency at Rockefeller University in New York City. His additional training includes a fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
Steven C. Ludwig, MD (University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore). Dr. Ludwig is the chief of spine surgery in the department of orthopedics at the University of Maryland Medical center and the co-director of the University of Maryland Spine Center. He has a professional interest in adult reconstructive spine surgery, sports-related injuries, traumatic injuries to the cervical spine and disc herniation and replacement. He also engages in research of spinal disorders and technology. His research has received recognition from the Cervical Spine Research Society and the American Orthopaedic Association. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Ludwig also serves as a professor of orthopedics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the editor for cervical spine in Current Opinion in Orthopaedics. Dr. Ludwig earned his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. His additional training includes a combined Thomas Jefferson University-Rothman Institute residency in orthopedic surgery and a fellowship in Spine Surgery at Emory University in Atlanta.
Rex Marco, MD (University of Texas Medical School, Houston). Dr. Marco is an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the department of neurosurgery and chief of spine surgery and musculoskeletal oncology. He has a professional interest in reconstructive surgery for spinal column tumors and spinal trauma. He also performs revision spine surgery, microscopic discectomy and surgery for degenerative spinal disorders. During his career, Dr. Marco has served as a team physician for the U.S. Snowboard Team. He also engages in research endeavors, which have resulted in articles published in journals such as the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Dr. Marco earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute-National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Md. His additional training includes a residency at the UC Davis Medical Center and a fellowship in spine surgery at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago.
Vikas Patel, MD (University of Colorado Hospital, Denver). Dr. Patel serves as the chief of orthopedic spine surgery at the University of Colorado in Denver. His practice currently focuses on spinal non-fusion technologies, including disc replacement, dynamic stabilization, alternative bone graft materials for fusion and minimally invasive procedures. He also has an interest in computer assisted surgery and has experience in treating cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal disorders. During his career, Dr. Patel has published articles based on his research in professional journals such as Spine and the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques. Prior to earning his medical degree, Dr. Patel worked as an engineer. Dr. Patel earned his medical degree at Washington University in St. Louis and completed his residency at the University of California in San Francisco. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at The Spine Institute at St. John's Health Center.
Themistocles Protopsaltis, MD (New York University Lagone Medical Center, New York City). Dr. Protopsaltis is the director of the Bellevue Orthopaedic Spine Service and an assistant professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at New York University Lagone Medical Center in New York City. He has a professional interest in pediatric cervical disorders, thoracic and lumbar disc herniation and pediatric and adult scoliosis treatment. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Protopsaltis has conducted research on several spine topics, including cervical laminectomy and fusion cervical foramenotomy. He has published his work in professional journals such as Spine. Dr. Protopsaltis earned his medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. His additional training includes fellowships in hand surgery at Duke University in Durham, N.C., and at New York University in spine surgery.
Barton L. Sachs, MD (Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston). Dr. Sachs is the associate executive medical director at the Medical University of South Carolina. He has a professional interest in minimally invasive spine surgery, motion preservation during spine surgery and spinal deformity surgery. During his career, Dr. Sachs has also served as a professor of orthopedics at MUSC. He has also served as the president and founder of the Texas Back Institute Research Foundation and as a board member for Innovative Spine Technologies. He is a fellow of the International Society for Study of Lumbar Spine and the North American Spine Society. He is also a member of the Spine Arthroplasty Society and the American College of Physician Executives. Dr. Sachs earned his medical degree at the State University of New York in Syracuse and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Case Western Reserve University Hospitals in Cleveland. His additional training includes a fellowship in spinal disorders at Twin Cities Scoliosis and Spine Center in Minneapolis.
Nick Shamie, MD (UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles). Dr. Shamie is the co-director of the UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center. He also serves as an assistant professor in orthopedic surgery at UCLA School of Medicine. His professional interests include bone protein implants, cervical spine surgery and metabolic bone disease. During his career, Dr. Shamie has shared his expertise in spine surgery with several media outlets, including MyFox Los Angeles. He has also conducted extensive research in spine-related topics, which has been published in The Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques. His research has earned him the UCI School of Medicine Excellence in Research recognition. Dr. Shamie earned his medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at St. Mary's Medical Center. His additional training includes fellowships in spine surgery and bone research at UCLA School of Medicine.