100 Spine Surgeons and Specialists to Know

Here are 100 spine surgeons and specialists to know.


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Todd J. Albert, MD (Rothman Institute, Philadelphia). Dr. Albert is president of Rothman Institute and conducts clinical research on cervical and reconstructive surgery. During his career, he has authored more than 200 papers, 80 book chapters and five books on spine surgery. Along with his clinical practice, Dr. Albert is president of the Cervical Spine Research Society and professor and chairman of the orthopedics department at Thomas Jefferson University Medical College in Philadelphia. He received his medical degree from University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and received fellowship training in spine surgery at Twin Cities Spine Center in Minneapolis.

Christopher P. Ames, MD (University of California San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco). Dr. Ames is director of spinal tumor and spinal deformity surgery at UCSF Medical Center and co-director of the neurospinal disorders program and UCSF Spine Center. He has a professional interest in spinal reconstructive surgery for trauma, tumors and degenerative disease. Dr. Ames is credited with developing the transpedicular approach to removing cervical and cervical thoracic tumors, which he successfully employed in 2009. He directs the neurosurgical spinal deformity service, which treats more than 200 patients annually for correction of a variety of spinal deformities. His research interests include spinal biomechanics and the use of resorbable polymers for spinal reconstruction. Dr. Ames received his medical degree from the UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles, completed his residency at UCSD Medical Center in San Diego and a fellowship at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

Howard S. An, MD (Midwest Orthopedics at Rush, Chicago). Dr. An is a spine surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and the director of spine surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He is also medical director of Rush's spine and back center and director of the spine fellowship program. His extensive research has been rewarded by the Cervical Spine Research Society and Scoliosis Research Society, and his current project is on biological treatment strategies by growth factors and cytokine inhibitors. Dr. An has held leadership positions and been on committees for many organizations, including his 2010 role as president of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine. He has authored or edited more than 20 books on spine topics and serves on editorial boards for multiple publications. Dr. An earned his medical degree from The Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, where he also completed his orthopedic residency. He received fellowship training in spine surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Pennsylvania Hospital, both in Philadelphia.

Neel Anand, MD (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles). Dr. Anand is the director of orthopedic surgery at Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders. He has a professional interest in treating spinal curvature in adults and was one of the first surgeons to perform a combination of three minimally invasive procedures to correct adult lumbar degenerative scoliosis. He was a founding member of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and the Society for Lateral Access Surgery, and is also the national director of ONE Spine Society and a member of the Society of Nucleus Arthroplasty. He earned his medical degree from the University of Bombay in India. He completed residencies at University of Bombay as well as the Royal College of Surgeons of England in London, the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. He received fellowship training in reconstructive spine surgery at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Vincent Arlet, MD (University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville). Dr. Arlet is a spine surgeon, professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and chair of spinal deformity research at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fluent in French, Dr. Arlet attended medical school in Paris and was awarded the Scoliosis Research Society Traveling Fellowship in 1997. Along with his role as editor of the European Spine Journal, Dr. Arlet shares his clinical expertise by lecturing on spine topics around the globe. He previously served as director of the spine division and spine fellowship program at McGill University in Quebec, Canada. He received his medical degree from Medical School Paris V University and completed his residency at France University of Paris. His additional training includes pediatric and adult orthopedic surgery residencies in Paris.

Henry Aryan, MD (Sierra Pacific Orthopaedic & Spine Center, Fresno, Calif.). Dr. Aryan holds an academic appointment with the University of California, San Francisco's spine center and department of neurological surgery. He is a member of many service organizations, including Los Medicos Voladores, a group of medical professionals providing free healthcare services to rural villages in Mexico and Central America. Dr. Aryan has been a contributing author to more than 75 articles, more than 10 book chapters and three textbooks. He is a founding member of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and has been recognized as a "Top Physician" by Fresno Magazine for the past four years. He earned his medical degree from the University of California, Irvine, completed his residency at the University of California, San Diego, and received fellowship training in spinal oncology and complex spinal reconstruction at University of California, San Francisco.

Richard A. Balderston (Booth, Bartolozzi and Balderston Orthopaedics, Philadelphia). Dr. Balderston is the chief of spine surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital, associate medical director of Lankenau Center for Spinal Disorders at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa., and a spine surgeon with the practice of Booth, Bartolozzi and Balderston. His research contributed to ProDisc total disc replacement surgery and he is considered a pioneer in the treatment of degenerative disc disease. Philadelphia Magazine has recognized him as a top doctor eight times. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Balderston is a member of several professional societies, including the Scoliosis Research Society and North American Spine Society. He also serves as a clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He received his medical degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where he also completed his residency. He received fellowship training at the Twin Cities Scoliosis Center at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Gordon Bell, MD (Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland). Dr. Bell is the head of spinal surgery at the Cleveland Clinic and vice-chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery. He treats patients with cervical and lumbar spinal injuries, athletic spinal injuries and spinal tumors. Dr. Bell's research has been awarded the Volvo Award in Low Back Pain Research from the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine. During his career, Dr. Bell has held leadership positions in several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is also a member of North American Spine Society and the American Orthopaedic Association. In addition to his practice, Dr. Bell has served as co-editor of two spine textbooks and as associate editor for Spine. Dr. Bell earned his medical degree from the University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada, completed his residency at Cleveland Clinic and a spine fellowship at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.

Edward Benzel, MD (Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland). Dr. Benzel is chairman of the Cleveland Clinic's department of neurosurgery. His clinical interests focus on spinal disorders, complex spine instrumentation and spine tumors. He is one of the founding members of the Lumbar Spine Research Society, which formed in 2007. He is chairman of the review board for the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine and has reviewed for Spine, The Spine Journal and other publications. He holds several patents for devices such as the Cervical Spine Stabilization Method and System and Spinal Column Retaining Apparatus, and is medical co-director of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Spine Research Laboratory. Dr. Benzel earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, where he also completed his residency in neurosurgery. He received fellowship training in spine surgery and spinal cord injury at VA Medical Center in Albuquerque.

Scott Boden, MD (Emory Healthcare, Atlanta). Dr. Boden is the director of Emory Healthcare's orthopedics and spine center. He is chairman and founder of the National Spine Network and a member of more than a dozen other medical societies, including the North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He has issued six different patents and his research focuses on spine fusion, spinal disorders and bone regeneration. More than 150 of Dr. Boden's journal articles have been published, and he has authored or edited more than 42 book chapters and nine books on spine topics. His research on the fundamental mechanisms of bone growth and regeneration has been awarded by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, International Society for Study of the Lumbar Spine and other professional organizations. He earned his medical degree at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, completed an internship at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and received fellowship training at Case Western Reserve University Hospital in Cleveland.

Christopher M. Bono, MD (Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston). Dr. Bono is chief of orthopedic spine service at Brigham and Women's Hospital and treats a range of spinal injuries, including cervical spinal stenosis, cervical disc herniations, spine fractures and dislocations and other conditions. Along with his clinical practice, Dr. Bono is co-director of the combined orthopedic spine fellowship program between Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's — all in Boston. He serves on the board of directors for North American Spine Society and is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Spinal Injury Association and the International Society for Study of the Lumbar Spine. He earned his medical degree from State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine in New York City, completed his residency at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J., and received fellowship training in spinal surgery at the University of California, San Diego.

Charles L. Branch, Jr., MD (Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, N.C.). Dr. Branch is a professor and chairman of the department of neurosurgery at Wake Forest's School of Medicine. His clinical specialties include spinal disorders, stenosis and spinal tumors, among others. He has published 20 book chapters, holds 13 patents for spine technology and has served on the editorial boards of many medical publications, including the Journal of Radiosurgery and The Spine Journal. In 2003, Dr. Branch co-founded the Brain Tumor Center of Excellence at Wake Forest to devote research to finding a cure for brain cancer. Four years later, he developed the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma Research, which is dedicated to the treatment of serious spine injuries in children. A former president of the North American Spine Society, Dr. Branch has extended his care beyond American borders on mission programs to Haiti, Nigeria and Guatemala, among other locations. He earned his medical degree from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and completed residencies at North Carolina Baptist Hospital and University of California, San Francisco.

Robert S. Bray, Jr., MD (Diagnostic and Interventional Spinal Care, Marina del Rey, Calif.). Dr. Bray is the founding director and CEO of Diagnostic and Interventional Spine Care. He was chief of neurosurgery for the U.S. Air Force at David Grant Medical Center in 1989 and the founding director of the Institute for Spinal Disorders at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr.  Bray has authored more than 20 publications and contributed to more than 20 patents, copyrights and developments of implants and spinal apparatus. Dr. Bray has served as spine consultant for the U.S. men's volleyball team and the Oakland Raiders, among other professional athletic organizations. After he received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Dr. Bray completed his residency at Baylor Affiliated Hospitals, also in Houston.

Eugene Carragee, MD (Stanford Hospital & Clinics, Redwood City, Calif.). Dr. Carragee is the chief of the spinal surgery division, medical director of the service quality and director of the orthopedic spine center at Stanford Hospital and Clinics. He has also served as the spine consultant for Stanford University's NCAA teams. In addition to his practice, Dr. Carragee has served as editor-in-chief of The Spine Journal and on the Neck Pain Task Force in Toronto, Canada. During his career, Dr. Carragee has published his research in several professional journals, including The Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques and Spine. His current research interests include outcomes assessment of rehabilitative treatment for cervical and lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, the diagnosis and treatment of spine infections and pain management. His research has been awarded by the North American Spine Society and the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine. Dr. Carragee earned his medical degree from and completed his residency at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, Calif., and completed a fellowship at the University of Hong Kong.

John R. Caruso, MD (Neurosurgical Specialists, Hagerstown, Md.). Dr. Caruso is a neurosurgeon who has performed numerous spinal procedures including minimally invasive procedures as well as complex instrumentation of the thoracic and lumbar spine. He serves as chairman of the board and medical director of Parkway Surgery Center in Hagerstown. He is co-founder of "Save Our Doctors, Protect Our Patients," a physician rights group that brought liability reform awareness to Maryland. Dr. Caruso is a board member of the Maryland State Surgical Association and a national spokesman for Doctors for Medical Liability Reform. He attended Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Va., where he also completed a residency. His additional training includes a residency at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.

Jens R. Chapman, MD (Harborview Medical Center, Seattle). Dr. Chapman is the director of spine services at the University of Washington Bone & Joint Center at Harborview Medical Center and has a professional interest in minimally invasive and major reconstructive spinal procedures. Dr. Chapman has written two books, The Spine Manual and Spinal Cord Injuries, and many of his articles have been published in professional publications. Since 1997, Dr. Chapman has served on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's advisory panel for spinal devices. Along with his clinical work, Dr. Chapman is a University of Washington professor in the department of neurological surgery. He earned his medical degree from Technische Universitaet Muenchen in Munich, Germany, completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and received fellowship training in spine surgery at Washington Medical Center in Seattle.

Donald S. Corenman, MD (The Steadman Clinic, Vail, Colo.). Dr. Corenman joined The Steadman Clinic in 1998. He has a professional interest in treating disorders of the lumbar and cervical spine. Along with his practice at Steadman, Dr. Corenman offers his clinical services to the U.S. Ski Team. He is a clinical assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Colorado, a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a charter diplomate of the American Board of Spine Surgery and a diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopaedics. Dr. Corenman earned his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and completed residencies at Southern California University in Whittier and Grace Hospital in Detroit. He received fellowship training in spinal disorders and deformities at the University of Colorado in Denver.

Bradford L. Currier, MD (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.). Dr. Currier is an orthopedic surgeon and professor of orthopedics at Mayo Clinic in the department of orthopedic surgery. His research and articles have been featured in many publications, with his latest on bacteria detection on removed spinal implants appearing in Spine. He is a member of the North American Spine Society and director of Mayo Clinic's spine fellowship. His clinical research projects involve the Mayo Cancer Center, and he is particularly interested in metastatic and primary tumors of the spine. His current research focuses on tissue engineering strategies involving the spine. He earned his medical degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., completed his residency in orthopedics at Mayo Clinic and received fellowship training in spine surgery at University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla.

Rick B. Delamarter, MD (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles). Dr. Delamarter is an orthopedic surgeon and co-director of Cedars-Sinai's Spine Center. He is also an associate clinical professor in the Department of Surgery at UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles. He has traveled nationally and internationally to share his expertise on spine topics and has been the principle or co-investigator for numerous research trials, including those on spinal stensosis, lower back pain studies and lumbar fusion models. Dr. Delamarter is a fellow with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and belongs to several professional organizations, including the American Spinal Injury Association and North American Spine Society. He earned his medical degree from the University of Oregon Health Science Center in Portland, completed his orthopedic residency at UCLA Medical Center and received spine fellowship training at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He was also awarded a visiting fellowship at Groupe Hospitalier Pitie-Salpetriere in Paris, France.

Christopher J. DeWald, MD (Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago). Dr. DeWald is a spine surgeon with a professional interest in treating scoliosis and performing adult spinal reconstruction. He is a physician at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and has served as the chief of the section of spinal surgery and scoliosis at the Hospital of Cook County in Chicago. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. DeWald has served on the editorial board for the Journal of Spinal Disorders and on the editorial advisory board of The Spine Journal. He is also a member of the Scoliosis Research Society and the North American Spine Society. He earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago and completed his residency at the University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics. He also completed a research and spine surgery fellowship at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago and additional fellowships at the University of Hidelberg in Germany, Institut Calot in France and Hokkaido University School of Medicine in Japan.

Mohammad Diab, MD (UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco). With expertise in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions in children and teenagers, Dr. Diab is chief of the division of pediatric neurosurgery at Benioff Children’s Hospital. He has a professional interest in treating spinal deformity in children, including scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. His book, Principles of Pediatric Orthopedics, is set to publish in 2012. He is a member of several professional societies, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has given presentations internationally, including lectures in Scotland and Japan. Dr. Diab received his medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, Calif., completed his residency at University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle and received fellowship training at Harvard University in Boston.

William H. Dillin, MD (Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Los Angeles). Dr. Dillin has served as spine surgery consultant at Kerlan-Jobe since 1985 and is co-founder of the clinic’s spine center. He is spinal surgery consultant to numerous athletic teams in Los Angeles, including the Lakers, Dodgers and Kings. He also consults for the PGA Tour, Anaheim Mighty Ducks and University of Southern California athletic teams. During his career, Dr. Dillin has traveled around the country to present his expertise, including presentations with emphasis on worker's compensation patients. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio and completed residencies at UT at Houston and the University of California, San Francisco. He received fellowship training in spinal surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.

Randall Dryer, MD (Central Texas Spine Institute, Austin). Dr. Dryer is a spine surgeon with the Central Texas Spine Institute who focuses on treatment of the cervical and lumbar spine. Dr. Dryer is a past president of the Texas Spine Society, fellow with the American College of Surgeons and a member of the North American Spine Society and Cervical Spine Research Society. He served as chief of orthopedic surgery for the U.S. Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio until he joined The Austin Back Clinic in 1988, which later expanded to become the Central Texas Spine Institute. Along with his practice, Dr. Dryer has participated in FDA-approved clinical trials and spearheaded innovative procedures, such as using adult stem cells from a patient's body to aid in tissue regeneration. Dr. Dryer earned his medical degree from University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery, also at the University of Iowa.

Egon Doppenberg, MD (Northshore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Ill.). Dr. Doppenberg specializes in the treatment of brain and spine tumors and complex degenerative and traumatic spinal disorders at Northshore University HealthSystem. He also serves as clinical assistant professor of neurosurgery at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He has participated in surgical missions to Central and South America to treat tumors and congenital abnormalities in children. Dr. Doppenberg earned his medical degree from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, completed his neurosurgery residency at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond and received neurosurgical oncology fellowship training in and brain and spine tumors at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas in Houston.

Steven Dorsky, MD (New Jersey Spine Center, Chatham). Dr. Dorsky is a spine surgeon, founder of the New Jersey Spine Center and leader in spinal surgery and technique. He was the first surgeon at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J., to perform artificial disc replacement using the CHARITE artificial disc. Dr. Dorsky is a fellow of the North American Spine Society and the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons. He earned his medical degree from Brown University School of Medicine in Providence, R.I., completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at The Hospital for Joint Diseases Orthopedic Institute in New York City, where he also received fellowship training in spine surgery.

Robert K. Eastlack, MD (Scripps Clinic, San Diego). Dr. Eastlack is a spine surgeon with the Scripps Clinic division of orthopedic surgery who has professional interest in cervical spine disorders and conditions. Along with his clinical practice, he spends time as a volunteer clinical instructor at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and offers his services to veterans at the VA Administration Hospital in La Jolla, Calif. Dr. Eastlack was a founding member of the Minimally Invasive Spine Society when it began in 2006. His research focuses on cervical spine injuries and minimally invasive procedures, and he has in-depth understanding when it comes to the treatment of amateur and professional athletes. Dr. Eastlack received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, completed his residency at University of California, San Diego and received fellowship training in spine surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Thomas J. Errico (Hospital for Joint Disease, New York City). Dr. Errico is the chief of spine surgery at New York University School of Medicine and Hospital for Joint Disease, both in New York City. He has participated in multi-institutional investigations and FDA trials, and was most recently the national principal investigator for the Flexicore lumbar total disc replacement trial. He is the current president of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery and has served on the editorial boards for Spine and the Journal of Spinal Disorders. Dr. Errico received his medical degree from New Jersey Medical School in Newark, N.J., completed his orthopedic residency at New York University Medical Center in New York City and received fellowship training in spine surgery at University of Toronto General Hospital.

David Fardon, MD (Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago). Dr. Fardon is a spine surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and assistant professor at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He is the co-editor of Orthopaedic Knowledge Update for Spine II, which was published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the North American Spine Society and is used as a core curriculum text for graduate training in spine surgery. Dr. Fardon has also published three books for the general public on neck care, back care and osteoporosis. In addition, he was a founding member of The Spine Journal and served as the editor-in-chief of Disorders of the Spine. He has professional interest in treating patients with acute or chronic cervical, thoracic or lumbar spinal disorders, including worker’s compensation patients. Dr. Fardon earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas in Lawrence and completed his residency at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Richard G. Fessler, MD (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago). Dr. Fessler, professor of neurosurgery at Northwestern, was the first physician in the United States to perform a human embryonic spinal cord transplant in 1997. He is a medical specialist and flight surgeon for NASA and currently participating in the first FDA trial to test the use of embryonic stem cells in patients with thoracic spine injuries. Dr. Fessler has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed papers, 50 book chapters and 16 books. He has been an honored guest of neurosurgical societies in Japan, Mexico, Egypt, South Africa and China, among other countries. Dr. Fessler earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, where he also earned a doctoral degree in pharmacology and physiology. He completed his residency in neurological surgery at the University of Chicago Hospitals.

Jeffrey S. Fischgrund, MD (Beaumont Orthopaedic Center, Royal Oak, Mich.). Dr. Fischgrund is a spine surgeon at Beaumont Orthopaedic Center in Royal Oak, Mich. He is a researcher on bone morphogenic proteins and cervical disc replacements. Dr. Fischgrund has authored numerous articles on spine surgery and, in 2009, was named editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is a member of the Cervical Spine Research Society and North American Spine Society, where he has served as chair for several committees. Along with his clinical work, Dr. Fischgrund also instructs medical students, orthopedic residents and spine fellows at William Beaumont Hospital. He earned his medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore and received fellowship training in spine surgery at Beaumont.  

Anthony Frempong-Boadu, MD (New York University Langone Medical Center, New York City). As assistant professor in NYU Langone's department of neurosurgery, Dr. Frempong-Boadu has medical expertise in minimally invasive surgery, spine surgery and endoscopic spinal surgery. He's studied minimally invasive surgery under Richard Fessler, MD, of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and now teaches spinal decompression and fusion techniques at national and international conferences. He has published numerous book chapters and journal articles, with his latest on endovascular solutions to arterial injury due to posterior spinal surgery. Dr. Frempong-Boadu earned his medical degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, where he also completed his residency in neurosurgery. He received fellowship training in neurosurgery at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Mark Gardon, MD (Aurora BayCare Medical Center, Green Bay, Wis.). Dr. Gardon is a neurosurgeon with special interest in the comprehensive management of spine conditions, including minimally invasive surgery to spinal reconstruction and fusion procedures. He also specializes in the treatment of congential abnormalities, such as spina bifida. Dr. Gardon is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and completed his residency in neurological surgery at Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals.

Steven R. Garfin, MD (University of California San Diego Thornton Hospital, La Jolla, Calif.). Dr. Garfin practices at University of California San Diego's Thornton Hospital along with UCSD Medical Center - Hillcrest in San Diego. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Garfin is a professor and chair of the orthopedic department and chief of the UCSD spine program. He has edited nine books and authored more than 380 articles and book chapters. He has been involved in the design, use or clinical trials for pedicle screws, lumbar and cervical anterior plating systems, kyphoplasty and artificial discs, among other technologies. Dr. Garfin earned his medical degree from University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, completed his residency at the University of California San Diego and received fellowship training in disorders of the spine at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.

Ziya Gokaslan, MD (Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore). Dr. Gokaslan is the director of the spine center and a professor of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Gokaslan has a professional interest in treating spinal tumors and was previously an assistant professor at University of Texas' MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he focused on the surgical treatment of spinal neoplasms and published extensively on the topic. Currently, his research focuses on chemotherapeutic delivery systems for primary and metastatic spinal tumors. He received his medical degree from the University of Istanbul in Turkey and completed an internship, fellowship and residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He also completed a fellowship in clinical spinal surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.  

Charles R. Gordon, MD (Texas Spine and Joint Hospital, Tyler). Dr. Gordon is a neurosurgeon and co-founder of Texas Spine and Joint Hospital. He has a professional interest in the treatment of spine injury, deformity and degeneration. Dr. Gordon has received patents for more than four spinal devices and served as principal investigator for numerous research trials. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Gordon founded the device company Flexuspine along with Gordon Spine Associates, based in Tyler, Texas. He is a member of the North American Spine Society and American Association of Neurological Surgeons, among other professional organizations. He received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship at The Medical College of Virginia.

Wesley E. Griffitt, MD (Aurora BayCare Medical Center, Green Bay, Wis.). Dr. Griffitt is a neurosurgeon with special interest in minimally invasive spine surgery and spinal reconstruction and fusion procedures. He has been a course instructor for minimally invasive spine surgery and is a member of North American Spine Society, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and American Association of Neurological Surgeons, among other professional organizations. He earned his medical degree from University of Kansas in Kansas City, completed his neurological surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill., and received additional training at University of Vienna in Austria and Square Neurologic Institute in London, England.

Purnendu Gupta, MD (University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago). Dr. Gupta is an orthopedic surgeon and the director of the University of Chicago Spine Center. He treats many different types of cervical and spinal conditions, such as degenerative disorders, tumors, deformities and trauma-related injuries. His current research focuses on the application of cell-based gene therapy for spinal regeneration and fusion, and he is also involved in clinical studies evaluating treatment techniques for scoliosis and other conditions. Dr. Gupta is a member of the North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Scoliosis Research Society. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and completed his residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, both in Chicago. He received fellowship training in spine surgery at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis.  

Regis W. Haid, Jr., MD (Atlanta Brain and Spine Care, Atlanta). Dr. Haid is a founding partner of Atlanta Brain and Spine Care and medical director of the Piedmont Spine Center and neuroscience service line at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. His research interests include spinal reconstruction techniques and he has developed numerous patents for spinal devices and technology, with some internationally distributed. He has contributed more than 130 articles to peer-reviewed journals, written more than 85 book chapters on spinal disorders and is currently editing his 10th textbook. Dr. Haid has traveled internationally to present at spine conferences, including visits to Italy, Russia and Switzerland. He was previously the staff neurosurgeon for the U.S. Air Force at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio. Dr. Haid earned his medical degree from West Virginia University in Morgantown, where he also completed his neurosurgical residency. He received fellowship training in spinal disorders at the University of Florida College of Medicine.

Richard Harrison, MD (Aurora BayCare Medical Center, Green Bay, Wis.). Dr. Harrison is a neurosurgeon with fellowship training in spine surgery. He practices at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay, Wis. He has special interest in the comprehensive management of spine conditions, including minimally invasive and fusion procedures. He also has interest in the treatment of congenital abnormalities, such as spina bifida. Dr. Harrison earned his medical degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock and completed his residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill. He was an international spine fellow at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, England.  

Robert F. Heary, MD (Neurological Institute of New Jersey, Newark). Dr. Heary is the director of the Spine Center at the Neurological Institute of New Jersey. He is also the director of the neurosurgical intensive care unit and a professor of neurosurgery. His major areas of interest include minimally invasive spine surgery, spine injury, spine tumors and spinal deformity. He has written more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, 35 book chapters and is on the editorial boards of Neurosurgery and the Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques. He is currently involved in endowed research on the effects of injured neurons on mesenchymal stem cells. He earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, completed a residency in neurological surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark and received fellowship training in spine surgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Andrew C. Hecht, MD (Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City). Dr. Hecht is the co-director of spine surgery at Mount Sinai and spine surgical consultant to the New York Jets, New York Islanders and arena football and collegiate teams in the New York City area. His work also extends off the field, as he is the director of the NFL's Spine Care Program for retired players. At Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Dr. Hecht founded the Newton-Wellesley Spine Center and is currently the director of Massachusetts General Hospital's spine surgery fellowship. He received his medical degree from Harvard University Medical School in Boston, completed his residency with the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Program and received fellowship training at Emory Spine Center in Atlanta.  

John G. Heller, MD (Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center, Atlanta). Dr. Heller has been practicing at Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center since 1994. He has a professional interest in the research and development of cervical spine instrumentation for procedures such as disc arthroplasty and laminoplasty. Dr. Heller has received awards for his research from the Cervical Spine Research Society and was a Kashiwagi-Sukuki Traveling Fellow with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Heller's clinical interests are extensive, including spinal trauma, spinal tumors, scoliosis and others. He earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, completed his residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and received fellowship training at the University of California Medical Center in San Diego.

Harry Herkowitz, MD (Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich.). Dr. Herkowitz is chairman of the orthopedic department at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., and director of the hospital's spine surgery fellowship program. Along with his participation on the editorial boards for Spine, Journal of Spinal Disorders and other publications, Dr. Herkowitz has authored four medical texts, 36 textbook chapters and numerous journal articles. His research has earned him the Volvo Award for Clinical Research in Low Back Pain twice. He also served as president of The Spine Journal, as director of the North American Spine Society's research council and on NASS' executive board. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine and the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons. Dr. Herkowitz earned his medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Beaumont and received fellowship training in spine at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.

Serena Hu, MD (University of California San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco.). Dr. Hu has been an orthopedic surgeon at the University of California San Francisco since 1991 and is also co-director of UCSF Spine Center. Her clinical interests include the prevention and treatment of adult scoliosis, while her research interests include the prediction and prevention of metastatic spine fractures and disc degeneration. She is a member of a dozen professional organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Spinal Injury Association. Dr. Hu has written four book chapters and authored articles in publications such as the European Spine Journal and Spine. She earned her medical degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, completed her residency in orthopedic surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and received fellowship training in spine and scoliosis surgery at Rancho Los Amigos in Downey, Calif.

Russel C. Huang, MD (Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City). Dr. Huang is the director of the Hospital for Special Surgery Spine Clinic. Dr. Huang’s areas of special expertise include minimally invasive surgical techniques, scoliosis and spondylolisthesis and lumbar stenosis and disc herniation, among others. He is a member of the North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, among other professional organizations. Dr. Huang’s research has been published in various spine journals, such as the Journal of Spinal Disorders. He earned his medical degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., completed his residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery and received fellowship training in spine surgery at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Richard A. Hynes, MD (Osler Medical, Melbourne, Fla.). Dr. Hynes is a spine surgeon at Osler Medical. He is a consultant for Medtronic and has participated in numerous FDA approved studies. Along with his clinical work, Dr. Hynes is also a director of TXEDAKA, a charity that helps low-income individuals gain access to the medical care they need. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Spine Surgeons and The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Hynes earned his medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (then Rutgers Medical School) in New Brunswick, N.J., completed his residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu and received fellowship training in spine surgery at Harvard University in Boston.

Robert E. Isaacs, MD (Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.). Dr. Isaacs is the director of spine surgery at Duke and an expert in minimally invasive spine surgery. He was previously the head of minimally invasive spine surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Florida Spine Institute in Weston. He has authored publications for several professional journals, trained physicians across the country in complex spine surgery techniques and has working relationships with six different companies in the spine industry, including Medtronic and Minispine. During his career, Dr. Isaacs has been involved in several clinical trials investigating minimally invasive surgical techniques, image guidance, endoscopic spinal surgery and outcomes for patients undergoing spinal surgery. Dr. Isaacs earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He completed his neurosurgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and received fellowship training in complex spine surgery at Rush University in Chicago.

James D. Kang, MD (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh). Dr. Kang is the vice chairman of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's department of orthopedic surgery and is clinically active in the treatment of degenerative spinal disorders, scoliosis, spinal stenosis and herniated discs. He has authored more than 300 publications and his research has been awarded by The International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine and the North American Spine Society, among other organizations. As director of the Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic Research at UPMC, Dr. Kang leads the development of minimally invasive therapies for treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. He earned his medical degree from University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City, completed his residency at University of Pittsburgh and received fellowship training at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Dean Karahalios, MD (NorthShore Neurological Institute, Evanston, Ill.). Dr. Karahalios is a neurosurgeon with Northshore University Health System. He was recently appointed to the National Football League's Second Opinion Network of Neurological Surgeons for brain and spine injuries for Chicago. Dr. Karahalios is also assistant professor of neurosurgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He is particularly involved in raising awareness of concussions and has developed reference materials for coaches, parents and teachers on the topic. Dr. Karahalios helped develop several Medtronic products and apparatuses and has authored numerous research publications, book chapters and presentations. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago and completed neurosurgical residencies at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, where he also received fellowship training in spinal surgery.

Jay Khanna, MD (Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore). Dr. Khanna is the co-director of the division of spine surgery at Johns Hopkins Orthopaedic Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital and is an associate professor of orthopaedic surgery and biomedical engineering at The Johns Hopkins University. He also serves as the Clinical Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering, Innovation and Design (CBID).  His clinical interests include minimally invasive spine surgery and complex spinal reconstructions for the treatment of degenerative disorders and deformities of the cervical and lumbar spine. Dr. Khanna has published numerous manuscripts and book chapters and recently edited the 2010 textbook entitled MRI for Orthopaedic Surgeons.  Dr. Khanna teaches at and directs several national board review and spine surgery courses and is an active member of numerous professional societies.  He earned his medical degree from the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and received fellowship training in spine surgery in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic Spine Institute.

Larry Khoo, MD (Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles). Dr. Khoo, director of minimally invasive neurological spine surgery at Good Samaritan, is the co-founder of the Minimally Invasive Spine Society and belongs to several national and international professional organizations. He has authored a lengthy list of peer review articles and book chapters, serves on the editorial board for three different publications, including The Spine Journal and the Spine Arthroplasty Society Journal, and co-authored the book An Anatomical Approach to Minimal Access Spine Surgery, published in 2005. Dr. Khoo has been invited to lecture around the globe, including visits to Chile, Taiwan, Italy and Portugal. He received his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., and completed his residency in neurosurgery at University of Southern California in Los Angeles.   

Choll Kim, MD (Spine Institute of San Diego, San Diego). Dr. Kim is an associate clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at the Spine Institute of San Diego. With an interest in minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Kim is the founder of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and director of the Minimally Invasive Spine Center at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego. He is also a professor at the University of California, San Diego, and the author of approximately 200 publications and presentations. Dr. Kim was previously a voting member on the FDA Orthopedic Devices Panel, which reviews new spinal technology. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in Boston, completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of California in San Diego and completed a fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He earned his doctorate degree in molecular biology from the University of California, Los Angeles.   

Richard A. Kube II, MD (Prairie Spine & Pain Institute, Peoria, Ill.). Dr. Kube is currently affiliated with four different hospitals in southern Illinois and is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. He was team physician for Saint Louis University's soccer and basketball teams and has presented or lectured at professional seminars in South Korea, Canada, Germany and Hungary, among other locations. After Dr. Kube earned his medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his residency at Saint Louis University Hospital and received fellowship training at Spine Surgery PSC in Louisville, Ky.

Carl Lauryssen, MD (Olympia Medical Center, Beverly Hills, Calif.). Dr. Lauryssen is the director of research and education at Olympia Medical Center. He previously served as the director of research and education for Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders in Los Angeles. He currently serves on the editorial boards or as guest reviewer for four professional publications, including the Journal of Spine Disorders and Journal of Neurosurgery. He has participated in neurosurgical medical missions, including one to Kenya, and is currently the consulting neurosurgeon for the St. Louis Rams and ABC News editorial staff. After Dr. Lauryssen received his medical degree from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, he completed an internship at Groote Shuur Hospital in Cape Town along with residencies in general surgery and neurosurgery at the University of Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada, and University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada.

Mesfin A. Lemma, MD (Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore). Dr. Lemma is the division chief of orthopedic surgery at Johns Hopkins and co-director of spine surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore. He has also served as the assistant residency director of orthopedic surgery at Johns Hopkins. He has a professional interest in treating spinal conditions and disorders using minimally invasive techniques. In addition to his practice, Dr. Lemma has published his research in several professional journals, including Neurosurgery and Spine. His current research interests include spinal conditions in the elderly population. Dr. Lemma is a member of the North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Maryland Orthopaedic Association. He earned his medical degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland before completing his residency in orthopedic surgery and fellowship in spine surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Lawrence G. Lenke, MD (Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis). Dr. Lenke is the co-director of the adult and pediatric scoliosis and reconstructive spinal surgery program at Washington University as well as a professor of neurological surgery and orthopedic surgery. He sees patients at St. Louis Children's Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Children, also in St. Louis. He has clinical interests in pediatric and adult spine deformities, scoliosis, kyphosis and post-traumatic orthopedic spine conditions, among others. He has authored several publications, with his latest on the male-female differences in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, featured in Spine. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University in Chicago and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, where he also received fellowship training in adult and pediatric spinal surgery.

Isador Lieberman, MD (Texas Back Institute, Plano). Dr. Lieberman has a professional interest in minimally invasive spine surgery and scoliosis. He holds multiple patents for his technological innovations, including SpineAssist, a robotic tool he recently co-developed that is used for minimally invasive surgery. He has held appointments with Cleveland Clinic as staff surgeon and professor of surgery at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. His developments have been recognized with awards from Cleveland Clinic and the Spine Society of Europe. He recently co-founded the Uganda Charitable Spine Surgeon Mission, with which he accompanies a team of surgeons to visit Uganda each year to treat the underprivileged with spine conditions. He earned his medical degree from the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada, and completed his residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. He also completed residency programs in orthopedic surgery at two Toronto hospitals along with a clinical fellowship in spine and trauma surgery at The Toronto Hospital.

Steven C. Ludwig, MD (University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore). Dr. Ludwig, chief of spine surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center, has a professional interest in a full range of adult spinal disorders with clinical interest in spinal tumors, infections and sports-related injuries, among others. He has received awards from the Cervical Spine Research Society and the American Orthopaedic Association for his research. Along with his practice, Dr. Ludwig is co-director of the University of Maryland's spine program and an associate professor of orthopedics. He earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Newark, N.J., and completed surgical residencies at Thomas Jefferson University and the Rothman Institute, both in Philadelphia. He received fellowship training in spine surgery at Emory University in Atlanta.

James Lynch, MD (SpineNevada, Reno, Nev.). Dr. Lynch is a neurological surgeon who specializes in complex spine surgery, as well as minimally invasive spine surgery. He is the founder and CEO of SpineNevada and chairman and director of spine at the Surgical Center of Reno. He is on staff at St. Mary's Hospital and Renown Regional Medical Center, both located in Reno. Dr. Lynch also serves as director, spine services, for Regent Surgical Health, where he directs Regent's program to help physicians develop spine-focused ASCs and specialty spine hospitals. His work has been published in several professional publications including The Journal of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgery and Spine. He earned his medical degree from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, followed by a residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Dr. Lynch completed three spine fellowships at the Mayo Clinic, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, England, and the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

Steven Mardjetko, MD (Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, Morton Grove, Ill.). Dr. Mardjetko is a spine surgeon at the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, where he specializes in spinal surgery, pediatric and adult spinal deformities and pediatric orthopedics. His areas of interest include scoliosis and other spinal disorders, spinal cord injuries and tumors neuromuscular disorders and complex cervical spine disorders. Dr. Mardjetko holds several academic appointments, and is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics, Scoliosis Research Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. He completed two fellowships at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago — one in pediatric orthopedics and the other in spinal deformity and reconstruction.

Bryan J. Massoud, MD (Spine Centers of America, Fair Lawn, N.J.). Dr. Massoud is an orthopedic spine surgeon and has a professional interest in minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery. He has more than 1,000 minimally invasive procedures under his belt. Dr. Massoud is a fellow of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons and belongs to numerous other societies, including North American Spine Surgery Society. Along with his clinical practice, Dr. Massoud is an assistant clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at Seton Hall University's School of Health and Medical Sciences in South Orange, N.J. He earned his medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, N.J., completed his orthopedic surgery residency at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Paterson, N.J., and received fellowship training in spine surgery at the Texas Back Institute in Dallas.

Paul C. McCormick, MD (Columbia University Medical Center, New York City). Dr. McCormick is the director of the spine center at Columbia University Medical Center. His clinical practice and research focuses on the evaluation and management of patients with spine and spinal cord disorders. Along with his practice, Dr. McCormick is a professor of clinical neurosurgery at Columbia's College of Physicians and Surgeons. He has authored more than 120 articles and book chapters and also served on editorial boards for numerous spine and neurosurgery journals. Dr. McCormick is considered a leader in microsurgery of spinal tumors and vascular malformations. He has held numerous leadership positions with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, including his role as chair of the section on disorders of the spine and peripheral nerves. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Columbia's Neurological Institute. He received fellowship training in spinal surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

Ehud Mendel, MD (Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus). Dr. Mendel is a neurosurgeon with fellowship training in spine surgery and director of Ohio State University's spine program. Since 2007, Dr. Mendel has been a member of the Spine Oncology Study Group, which is comprised of national and international spine experts who develop guidelines to treat spine tumors. He has authored several articles for neurosurgery and oncology publications, and traveled internationally to present on topics related to spine tumors, including visits to Italy, Germany, Brazil and Israel. He is a fellow with the American College of Surgeons and a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Congress of Neurosurgeons and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. He earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University of Health Sciences in New Orleans, completed his residency at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and received fellowship training in reconstructive spine surgery at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Alan Moelleken, MD (The Spine and Orthopedic Center, Santa Barbara, Calif.). Dr. Moelleken has published numerous articles and presentations on the treatment of spinal disorders and has been the chairman of the monthly Tri-County Spine Conference for the past 10 years. He is a member of the North American Spine society and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, among other professional organizations. Dr. Moelleken earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, completed his residency at University of California, Los Angeles, and received fellowship training in neurological surgery and orthopedic surgery at New York University in New York City.

James F. Mooney, III, MD (Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston). Dr. Mooney is chief of the division of pediatric orthopedic surgery at Medical University of South Carolina, where he treats pediatric patients with spinal deformities and fractures, among other conditions. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of the Surgical Orthopaedic Advances and is a reviewer for three other professional journals. He is a fellow with the Scoliosis Research Society and is active in 10 other professional organizations. Along with his clinical work, Dr. Mooney is also a professor of orthopedic surgery at Medical University of South Carolina. He earned his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at North Carolina Baptist Hospital/Bowman Gray School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. He received fellowship training in pediatric orthopedic surgery at Children's Hospital of Boston.

Daniel B. Murrey, MD (OrthoCarolina, Charlotte, N.C.). Dr. Murrey is a spine surgeon and has been CEO of OrthoCarolina since 2008. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Cervical Spine Research Society and Scoliosis Research Society. He has a professional interest in treatment of both surgical and nonsurgical spinal disorders, cervical spine surgery, spinal deformities and disc replacement. Dr. Murrey is involved in teaching and training other surgeons as well as in developing new spine technologies. Dr. Murrey earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in Boston, completed his residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., and received fellowship training in spine surgery at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Michael G. Neuwirth, MD (Spine Institute of New York, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York City). Dr. Neuwirth was named the director of the Spine Institute of New York at Beth Israel Medical Center in 1996. Dr. Neuwirth's areas of expertise include complex spinal deformities in adults and children. He authored The Scoliosis Handbook and has also contributed his research to numerous medical publications. He is member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons and serves as a board member for the Scoliosis Research Society. He earned his medical degree from State University New York Down State Medical School completed his orthopedic residency at the Hospital for Joint Diseases, both in New York City. He received fellowship training in spine surgery at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago.

Joan O'Shea, MD (The Spine Institute of Southern New Jersey, Marlton). Dr. O'Shea is a dually trained neurological and orthopedic spine surgeon. She has concentrated her training and dedicated her career to the surgical treatment of spinal disorders. She is a member of the North American Spine Society and Women in Neurosurgery, among other professional organizations. Dr. O'Shea was recognized in 2009 in SJ Magazine as a "Top Doc" in Southern New Jersey for neurosurgery. She received her medical degree at the State University of New York Upstate Health Center in Syracuse, completed a residency in neurosurgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center and completed an additional orthopedic spine surgery fellowship at the Hospital for Joint Disease and the Spine Institute of Beth Israel Medical Center, both in New York City.

Andrew E. Park, MD (Texas Spine Consultants, Dallas). Dr. Park is a spine surgeon with interest in complex spinal disorders and minimally invasive spine surgery. He has instructed other surgeons at various seminars and symposiums and published his original spine surgery research in several peer-reviewed journals. In addition to his practice, Dr. Park is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and the Mid-American Orthopaedic Association. Dr. Park also founded the first fellowship training program recognized by NASS and serves as director of the Dallas Spine Fellowship Program. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, completed his residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago and received fellowship training in spine surgery at Emory University in Atlanta.  

John H. Peloza, MD (The Center for Spine Care, Dallas). Dr. Peloza is the director of The Center for Spine Care and a leader in minimal access spinal technology. He helped launch several minimally invasive spine surgery technologies, such as MAVERICK total disc replacement, and was one of the few physicians involved in the introduction of Medtronic's INFUSE, the new FDA-approved bone morphogenic protein. He is a spine consultant to the U.S. Ski Team and a member of numerous national and international medical organizations, such as the International Spine Injection Society, North American Spine Society and American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Peloza received his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago and completed his residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Kenneth A. Pettine, MD (Rocky Mountain Associates, Loveland, Colo.). Dr. Pettine is a co-founder of Rocky Mountain Associates and a surgeon at Loveland (Colo.) Surgery Center. He has an extensive background in spinal surgery, research and rehabilitation and is co-inventor and co-designer of the Maverick Artificial Disc, a disc replacement device for the neck and back. He has also been chief investigator for eight FDA studies involving non-fusion spine technology. Dr. Pettine is a distinguished speaker at national and international symposiums and the author of nearly 20 research publications. He received his medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver. He completed his residency and his master's degree in orthopedic surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and completed a fellowship at the Institute for Low Back Care in Minneapolis.

Frank M. Phillips, MD (Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago). Dr. Phillips is the director of the section of minimally invasive spine surgery at Rush University Medical Center. He has a professional interest in cervical and lumbar reconstructive surgery as well as motion preserving and minimally invasive surgical techniques. In addition to his practice, Dr. Phillips conducts research on the biomechanics of spinal reconstruction and the biologic strategies for treating spinal conditions. Dr. Phillips has previously served as the director of The Spine Center at the University of Chicago and currently serves as a professor of orthopedic surgery at Rush. He is vice president of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and a member of the North American Spine Society and the Spine Arthroplasty Society. Dr. Phillips earned his medical degree from the University of Witwatersrand Medical School in South Africa and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Chicago Hospitals. He received fellowship training in orthopedic surgery at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Gregory Pryzbylski, MD (JFK Medical Center, Edison, N.J.). Dr. Pryzbylski is a neurosurgeon with extensive fellowship training in spinal surgery. He is the director of neurosurgery at the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute at JFK Medical Center and a professor of neurological surgery at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. He currently serves as president of the North American Spine Society and has held numerous leadership positions with other professional organizations, such as the American Medical Association and the Council of State Neurological Societies. His research interests include spinal biomechanics, spinal cord injury and clinical outcomes. Dr. Pryzbylski earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and completed his residency in neurological surgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He completed fellowships in spine surgery at UPMC, Hospital St. Vincent De Paul in Paris, France, Hospital St. Roch in Nice, France, and Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

Sheeraz A. Qureshi, MD (Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City). Dr. Qureshi is an assistant professor of spinal surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in the department of orthopedic surgery. He also serves as the chief of spinal trauma at Elmhurst Hospital Center in New York City. He has written several chapters for spine textbooks, along with publications for various professional journals. Dr. Qureshi received his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine, completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and completed a spinal surgery fellowship at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland.

Richard S. Rabinowitz, MD (Barrington Orthopedic Specialists Hoffman Estates, Ill.). Dr. Rabinowitz maintains a variety of professional interests, including operative and non-operative treatment of neck and back conditions, minimally invasive disc surgery and artificial disc replacement surgery. He is a fellow with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a member of numerous professional organizations. His research has been recognized with awards for outstanding papers and research from the North American Spine Society and Cervical Spine Research Society. He earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill., and completed a fellowship in spine surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Raj D. Rao, MD (Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee). Dr. Rao is a professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin with fellowship training in spine surgery. He treats patients through the college's clinics at hospitals in the Milwaukee area. Dr. Rao's special interests include minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal tumors, spine trauma and spinal deformities. Dr. Rao is an associate editor of The Spine Journal and serves as the chair of the North American Spine Society's advocacy committee and on the board of directors. He was recently appointed to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's advisory panel on orthopedic and rehabilitation devices. Dr. Rao earned his medical degree from University of Bombay (India), completed his residency at University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles and received fellowship training in spine surgery at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich.

Bernard Rawlins, MD (Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City). Dr. Rawlins is a spine consultant for the New York Knicks and New York Mets and serves as a professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical School in New York City. Dr. Rawlins has a wide range of special expertise and regularly volunteers his time to teach and lecture on spine surgery in West Africa. He has received recognition for his research from the Scoliosis Research Society and Orthopaedic Research Society. His research interests include spine biomechanics, gene-mediated spine fusions and spine surgery techniques. He received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical School and completed his orthopedic residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, both in New York City. He received fellowship training in spine surgery at the Twin Cities Spine Center in Minneapolis.

K. Daniel Riew, MD (Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis). Dr. Riew is the chief of Washington University School of Medicine's surgical spine center and director of the university's Cervical Spine Institute, also in St. Louis, where he treats patients. He performs more than 250 cervical spine operations each year, including minimally invasive procedures to the treatment of complex spinal deformities. Patients from throughout the country — as well as around the globe — have sought his expertise and treatment from him. At Washington University, Dr. Riew was selected to lead a group of spine experts to treat retired National Football League players. He is affiliated with Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Dr. Riew earned his medical degree at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at George Washington (D.C.) University Hospital and received fellowship training in spine at Case Western.

Thomas F. Roush, MD (Roush Spine, Lake Worth, Fla.). Dr. Roush is spine surgeon with Roush Spine, which has four Florida offices. He is a member of several professional organizations, including North American Spine Society. Dr. Roush is a co-author of the 2009 book Motion Preservation Surgery of the Spine: Advanced Techniques and Controversies along with several other research publications. He has instructed courses on the anatomy of the spine at Duke University in Durham, N.C. Dr. Roush earned his medical degree from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., and received fellowship training in spine surgery and spinal arthroplasty at Texas Back Institute in Plano.

Mike Russell II, MD (Azalea Orthopedics, Tyler, Texas). Dr. Russell is a spine surgeon at Azalea Orthopedics in Tyler, Texas, and is president-elect of Physician Hospitals of America, a national trade organization representing physician-owned hospitals. He holds hospital privileges at the Texas Spine and Joint Hospital, Trinity Mother Frances Hospital and the East Texas Medical Center, all located in Tyler. He is a member of the National Association of Spine Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons the Texas Orthopedic Association and the Texas Medical Association.Dr. Russell attended medical school and completed his orthopedic training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He completed a fellowship in spine surgery at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C.

Thomas C. Schuler, MD (The Virginia Spine Institute, Reston, Va.). Dr. Schuler is the president and CEO of The Virginia Spine Institute, which he founded in 1992. Along with his practice, he has been the spine consultant for the Washington Redskins since 1993 and frequently treats professional and amateur athletes. Dr. Schuler is the program director for the institute's physician assistant fellowship program, president of the board of directors for the Spinal Research Foundation and a founding member of the Lumbar Spine Study Group. He is considered an innovator in the development of non-operative treatments for spinal disorders, and was involved in the development of bone morphogenetic protein. He earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, completed an internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Beaumont Hospital – Royal Oak (Mich.) and received fellowship training in spine surgery at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, Calif.  

David G. Schwartz, MD (OrthoIndy Northwest, Indianapolis). Dr. Schwartz has clinical interest in spinal deformities, kyphosis, scoliosis and low back pain, among other spinal conditions. Dr. Schwartz is the director of OrthoIndy’s Spine Fellowship and the inventor of the Anteres Spinal Instrumentation System, which is used for the treatment of spinal fractures, scoliosis and tumors. Along with his clinical work, he is an assistant clinical professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at Indiana University in Bloomington. He earned his medical degree from Loyola University in Chicago, completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago and received fellowship training in spine surgery at the Leatherman Spine Center, Kosair Childrens Hospital and the University of Louisville, all located in Louisville, Ky.

Kern Singh, MD (Midwest Orthopedics at Rush, Chicago). Dr. Singh has a professional interest in researching and performing minimally invasive, motion sparing spine procedures. He has a professional interest in treatment of complex degenerative disorders, spine tumors and adult deformities. Each year, he performs nearly 200 minimally invasive procedures and is the principal investigator in several FDA trials on motional preserving spinal technology. Dr. Kern has authored textbooks on spinal surgery and is the current editor of the American Journal of Orthopedics. He earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, completed his residency at Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago and completed a fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta.

Paul J. Slosar, MD (Spine Care Institute of San Francisco, San Francisco). Dr. Slosar is medical director of Spine Care Institute and president of SpineCare Medical Group. Along with his practice. Dr. Slosar serves on the board of directors for the American Board of Spine Surgery, as an oral board examiner for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and on the review board for Spine. He is a member of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, North American Spine Society and American College of Spinal Surgery, among other professional organizations. Dr. Slosar has contributed chapters to four different textbooks and his research has been published in several spine journals, including the Journal of the Spinal Research Foundation. He received his medical degree from Rush University Medical College in Chicago, completed a residency and internship at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill., and received fellowship training in spine surgery at The San Francisco Spine Institute.

Richard Spiro, MD (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh). Dr. Spiro is the director of adult spine services at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He has a professional interest in treating spinal disorders using minimally invasive techniques and incorporates real-time CT guidance for complex spine surgery. He also has an expertise in spinal reconstruction, spinal tumors and spinal fusion. In addition to his practice, Dr. Spiro is an assistant professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. He has published several articles in professional journals, including Neurosurgery. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, North American Spine Society and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Spiro earned his medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and completed his residency in neurosurgery at UPMC.

Mark J. Spoonamore, MD (University of Southern California University Hospital, Los Angeles). Dr. Spoonamore is the medical director of the USC Center for Spinal Surgery at University Hospital. He also serves as chief of the spine surgery service at Los Angeles County Hospital and has special interest in spine tumors, spine trauma and spinal deformities along with pediatric spinal disorders. Dr. Spoonamore has researched spinal cord injuries and bone biology, and his scoliosis research has been awarded by the Scoliosis Research Society. He is a member of the North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and serves as a reviewer for Spine. Dr. Spoonamore earned his medical degree from University of Illinois at Chicago, completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City and received fellowship training in spinal surgery at USC Medical Center.  

John T. Stinson, MD (The Orthopaedic Center, Rockville, Md.). Dr. Stinson has a professional interest in spinal disorders in children and adults. He is responsible for the publication of original clinical research, several text book chapters, numerous presentations and lectures. He also co-edited a symposium entitled Spine Problems in the Athlete, published in 1993. He has received commendations from the governments of Ecuador and Afghanistan for surgical services rendered to injured children in these countries. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons and North American Spine Society. Dr. Stinson is a clinical professor in orthopedic surgery at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He received his medical degree from New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y., and he trained in general and orthopedic surgery in Boston at hospitals affiliated with Tufts and Harvard Universities, including Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Stinson completed a fellowship in reconstructive spine surgery at St. Luke's/Case Western University in Cleveland.

Brian R. Subach, MD (The Virginia Spine Institute, Reston, Va.). Dr. Subach is a neurosurgeon, spinal surgeon and director of research at The Virginia Spine Institute. He has clinical expertise in non-operative and operative management of spinal disorders. He is director of research for The Spinal Research Foundation and also editor-in-chief for the foundation's journal. In 2010, he was recognized as a "Top Doctor" by Washingtonian Magazine. Along with his role in developing bone morphogenetic protein, Dr. Subach is currently the principal investigator for Medtronic's controlled investigation of the Prestige artificial cervical disc. He earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor and completed neurosurgery residencies at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He received fellowship training in complex spinal disorders at Emory University in Atlanta.  

Robert L. Tatsumi (Pacific Spine Specialists, Tualatin, Ore.). Dr. Tatsumi is an orthopedic spine surgeon who has had extensive experience with minimally invasive procedures and motion preservation technology, such as artificial disc replacement for the cervical and lumbar spine. He instructs and trains surgeons on minimally invasive technology and recently finished a research project evaluating radiation exposure to surgeons while performing lateral lumbar procedures. His research has been awarded by various professional organizations, including the Cervical Spine Research Society and the Western Orthopaedic Association. Dr. Tatsumi earned his medical degree from Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. He received fellowship training in spine surgery at LA Spine Institute in Santa Monica, Calif.

Vincent C. Traynelis, MD (Rush University Medical Center, Chicago). Dr. Traynelis is the director of the neurosurgery spine service at Rush University Medical Center. He specializes in complex spine surgery, spinal deformity, spinal arthroplasty, spine tumors and minimally invasive surgery. He has authored four books, more than 50 book chapters and more than 100 peer-reviewed publications. He has traveled internationally to lecture on spine topics, with visits to Italy, Switzerland and Brazil among others. He is currently secretary of the Lumbar Spine Research Society, director of the American board of Neurological Surgery and chairman of the editorial board for Journal of Neurosurgery Spine. He earned his medical degree from West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown, where he also completed residencies in neurosurgery and general surgery.

Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD (Rothman Institute, Philadelphia). Dr. Vaccaro is a spine surgeon at Rothman Institute and a professor and attending surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he is also the vice chairman of the orthopedic department. He president of the American Spinal Injury Association and co-director of the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley in Philadelphia. Dr. Vaccaro has authored hundreds of publications and more than 100 book chapters. He has been the recipient of the Leon Wiltse Award from the North American Spine Society for his leadership and clinical research. His research interests include timing of surgery after traumatic spinal cord injury, using alternative bone graft substitutes and developing implants for traumatic and degenerative spinal disorders. After he earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., Dr. Vaccaro completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Thomas Jefferson University and received fellowship training at the University of San Diego.

Jeffrey Wang, MD (UCLA Spine Center, Santa Monica, Calif.). Dr. Wang is an orthopedic spine surgeon and has been executive director of the UCLA Spine Center since 2003. With expertise in the surgical treatment of neck and back disorders, Dr. Wang is also a professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery and the director of UCLA's spine surgery fellowship. Dr. Wang has authored more than 100 research publications and on presented various spine topics to audiences around the world, including visits to Japan, Argentina and Singapore. Dr. Wang is on the board of directors for the North American Spine Society and holds committee positions within the Cervical Spine Research Society and Scoliosis Research Society, among others. He received his medical degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at UCLA School of Medicine and received fellowship training in spine and spinal cord injury at University Hospitals of Cleveland.

William Watters III, MD (Bone & Joint Clinic of Houston, Texas). Dr. Watters is a spine surgeon at the Bone & Joint Clinic of Houston. He is the current treasurer for the North American Spine Society, and was founding member of the NASS Evidence-based Guidelines Committee which he chaired from 2003-07. He is a past president of the Texas Spine Society and a member of more than a dozen professional organizations, including World Spine Society, North American Spine Society and International Spinal Injection Society. He also serves on the editorial advisory board of The Spine Journal. Dr. Watters attended Harvard Medical School in Boston and completed two residencies, one in internal medicine and one in orthopedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

James N. Weinstein, DO (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H.). A practicing spine surgeon, Dr. Weinstein is a leader in the diagnosis, treatment and study of spinal disorders. Dr. Weinstein is not only the founder of the spine center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, but is also president of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic and director of The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. His research has received over $50 million in federal funding and he is the principal investigator of the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial, the largest study funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Dr. Weinstein developed the primary classification system used for treating spine tumors, now used internationally. He has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed papers and is the editor-in-chief of Spine. Dr. Weinstein earned his doctorate of orthopedic medicine degree from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago.

Stuart L. Weinstein, MD (University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City). Dr. Weinstein is a spine surgeon and a professor of orthopedic surgery at University of Iowa, with expertise in pediatric orthopedic surgery and spinal deformities. He is a former president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, among other organizations. He has affiliations with orthopedic societies from around the globe, including Thailand, New Zealand, Australia and Germany. Along with his positions on the editorial board of Spine and the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Dr. Weinstein has edited five orthopedic textbooks. He earned his medical degree and completed his residency at the University of Iowa and completed an internship at the University of California, San Francisco.

Richard Wohns, MD (South Sound Neurosurgery, Puyallup, Wash.). Dr. Wohns is a spine surgeon and a leader in the development of ambulatory spine practices. He is the founder and president of South Sound Neurosurgery in Puyallup, Wash., and founded NeoSpine, a spine ASC development company that is currently part of Symbion Healthcare. He was one of the first neurosurgeons in the United States qualified to perform the extreme lateral interbody fusion procedure. Dr. Wohns attended medical school at Yale University School of Medicine and completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Washington in Seattle. He holds an executive MBA from the University of Washington and is currently pursuing a law degree from Seattle University School of Law.

Michael J. Yaszemski, MD (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.). Dr. Yaszemski is director of Mayo Clinic's tissue engineering and biomaterials laboratory and maintains his clinical practice in spinal surgery with a special interest in adult scoliosis. He is chair of the Scoliosis Research Society and has authored more than 100 research publications that appear in journals such as Spine and The Journal of Orthopaedic Research. In 2007, Dr. Yaszwmski, along with a team of 11 Mayo Clinic specialists successfully performed a risky, 20-hour procedure where a woman's pelvis was cut in half to remove a tumor and then reconstructed. After earning his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., he completed residencies at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, earned a doctor of philosophy degree in chemical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., and received fellowship training at Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Anthony T. Yeung, MD (Desert Institute for Spine Care, Phoenix). Dr. Anthony Yeung is an orthopedic spine surgeon who specializes in diagnosing the causes of back pain and sciatica from degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine. He developed the FDA-approved Yeung Endoscopic Spine System, and was one of the first spine surgeons to utilize endoscopically guided laser for degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine. Dr. Yeung has authored more than 70 scientific publications on his technique and is currently the President of the World Congress of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeons and has held leadership positions within numerous other national and international spine organizations. Dr. Yeung received his medical degree from University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque, completed his residency at Maricopa County General Hospital in Phoenix and served in the U.S. Navy Medical Corp. in Subic Bay, Philippines. 

William R. Zerick, MD (Central Ohio Neurological Surgeons, Westerville, Ohio). Dr. Zerick is a neurosurgeon with fellowship training in the treatment of degenerative and traumatic cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal disorders. This includes treating patients with degenerative disc disease, disc herniation and spinal stenosis. He has been with Central Ohio Neurologic Surgeons since 1994 and his interests include surgical care of the spine involving degenerative, traumatic and tumor conditions. He is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the North American Spine Society, among other organizations. He earned his medical degree from West Virginia School of Medicine in Morgantown, completed his residency in neurosurgery at Ohio State University in Columbus and received fellowship training in spine surgery at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

Christian G. Zimmerman, MD (Idaho Neurological Institute, Boise). Dr. Zimmerman is the chairman and founder of the Idaho Neurological Institute. Dr. Zimmerman is a member of North American Spine Society and the Section of Spinal and Peripheral Disorders, among other professional organizations. He was principal investigator for Sygen Spinal Cord Injury Protocol and has published research on the success of PEEK rods as lumbar fusion material. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland in Baltimore, completed his residency at Oregon Health Science University in Portland and received fellowship training in complex spinal disorders and instrumentation at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.