A spine surgeon who performed a unique approach to a spinal fusion and nine more surgeons to know:
Hamid Abbassi, MD. Inspired Spine (Burnsville, Minn.). Dr. Abbassi is chief medical officer at Inspired Spine. He recently performed a spinal fusion with the oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion technique for a 500-pound patient.
Darrel Brodke, MD. University of Utah Health (Salt Lake City). Dr. Brodke's research interests include spinal deformity, biomechanics and patient reported outcomes. He was named CEO of orthopedic musculoskeletal services for U of U Health.
David Essig, MD. Northwell Health (Great Neck, N.Y.). Dr. Essig enjoys taking the least invasive approach to treating spine patients. He received his medical degree at The University of Toledo Health Science Campus and was chief resident at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.
Bradley Heiges, Optim Orthopedics (Savannah, Ga.). Dr. Heiges co-authored a study that recently earned a Safety in Spine Surgery Award. He said he sees biologic treatments become more prevalent in spine care.
Farhan Karim, DO. Starling Physicians (New Britain, Conn.). Dr. Karim's clinical interests include complex spine surgery, spine trauma and revision surgery. He received his medical degree from Old Westbury-based New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Northwell Health in Plainview, N.Y.
Bradford Mullin, MD. Mount Carmel Central Ohio Neurological Surgeons Westerville. Dr. Mullin received his medical degree from Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his residency at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, both in Columbus. His interests include brain tumors, skull-base procedures and spine fusions.
Chukwuka Okafor, MD. Spine Institute of Central Florida (Lakeland). Dr. Okafor has extensive training in complex and minimally invasive surgery. He was awarded the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Medical Student Education Award.
Theresa Pazionis, MD. Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine (Philadelphia). Dr. Pazionis' clinical interests include several aspects of spine surgery including cervical fusion, minimally invasive surgery and lumbar decompression. Her research has focused on metastatic bone disease, chondrosarcoma and spinal biomechanics.
Travis Philipp, MD, Oregon Health & Science University Spine Center (Portland). Dr. Philipp received his medical degree and completed his residency at OHSU. He completed fellowship spine surgery training at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City.
Brian Subach, MD. National Spine & Pain Centers (Rockville, Md.). Dr. Subach joined National Spine and Pain Centers in March and has more than 20 years of experience. His practice includes minimally invasive cervical and lumbar surgery, robotic surgery and artificial disc surgery.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Surgeons are listed in alphabetical order. To nominate a surgeon for future lists, please contact Carly Behm at cbehm@beckershealthcare.com.