Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Dec. 8, 2016.
6 spine physicians ranked #1 on Google – 2016
Annually, spine specialists contribute patient education content to www.Spine-health.com, which is read by more than 200 million of patients struggling with neck and back conditions. The following six spine specialists are ranked #1 on Google for their articles and videos on spine conditions and treatments: Ray Baker, MD, Paul Slosar, MD, John Shim, MD, Jeffrey A. Goldstein, MD, Stephen Hochschuler, MD, and David Dewitt, MD.
Dr. James Weinstein to retire as Dartmouth-Hitchcock CEO in 2017
James Weinstein, DO, will retire in June 2017 from his post as CEO and president of Dartmouth-Hitchcock health system in Lebanon, N.H. Dr. Weinstein rose to the system's president and CEO in 2011. He will maintain his academic and clinical roles in the Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Geisel departments of orthopedics as well as his endowed chair in evaluative clinical sciences.
President-elect Donald Trump taps Dr. Ben Carson to join cabinet as housing secretary
President-elect Donald Trump called on Ben Carson, MD, to join his cabinet, despite the retired neurosurgeon's initial hesitation. President-elect Trump selected Dr. Carson to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Dr. Robert Watkins performs spine surgery on Patriots' Rob Gronkowski
Robert Watkins, MD, a Marina del Rey, Calif.-based spine surgeon, performed spine surgeon on New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Mr. Gronkowski injured his back during a game against the New York Jets. His surgery was scheduled with Dr. Watkins for Dec. 2, 2016; Dr. Watkins has operated on Mr. Gronkowski on two separate occasions.
Should spine surgeons extend multilevel posterior cervical decompression and fusions to T1?
A new study published in Spine examines multilevel posterior cervical decompression and fusion, posing the question of whether it's necessary to extend the multilevel procedures to the upper thoracic spine. The patients who had constructs terminating at C7 were 2.29 times more likely to undergo revision procedures than those who had their primary surgeries extended to T1. The study authors concluded, "Multilevel posterior cervical fusions should be extended to T1, as stopping a long construct at C7 increases the rate of revision."
Senate passes 21st Century Cures Act; bill to make way to President Obama's desk
On Dec. 5, 2016, the Senate approved the 21st Century Cures Act with overwhelming approval of 85 to 13. The House has also approved the bill, with a majority vote. The bill now needs a signature from President Barack Obama before coming to fruition. The bill, valued at $6.3 billion, has the Obama administration's support.
Laser Spine Institute appoints Roger Cary as new president, CEO
David Pillsbury left his role as Tampa-based Laser Spine Institute's CEO on Nov. 30, 2016. Laser Spine Institute appointed Roger C. Cary the new CEO and president, based on a company statement sent to Tampa Bay Business Journal. Mr. Cary will begin his new role at Laser Spine Institute's Tampa headquarters on Dec. 5, 2016.
Which specialist is most likely to 'cherry-pick' patients?
According to the "Medscape Ethics Report 2016: Money, Romance, and Patients," a percentage of most physicians report they would "cherry-pick" or "lemon-drop" patients to avoid those with a comorbid disease or patients that are unlikely to follow a treatment regimen. Eighteen percent of primary care physicians said they would "cherry-pick" or "lemon-drop"; 17 percent of specialists said the same. Orthopedics tops the chart, with 38 percent of orthopedists reporting they would "cherry-pick" or "lemon-drop" patients.