Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for March 15, 2018.
Fugitive spine surgeon's fellow surgeons speak out about working alongside him
Atiq Durrani, MD, was accused by his patients of performing unnecessary and unsatisfactory surgeries at The Centers for Advanced Spine Technologies in Cincinnati. The spine surgeon denied any wrongdoing and shut down allegations of misconduct. However, in separate dispositions, Dr. Durrani's colleagues spoke about their experiences working alongside him, noting something was wrong. Read what they had to say, here.
Alphatec names Patrick Miles CEO, adds new board members
In conjunction with announcing it would acquire SafeOp, Alphatec named Patrick Miles CEO, Terry Rich president and COO, and Dr. Luiz Pimenta CMO. Both Mr. Miles and Mr. Rich will remain on the company's board. Mr. Miles joined Alphatec in the fall of 2017 after spending 17 years with NuVasive. He left NuVasive as the company's president and COO as well as the president of global products and services.
Drs. Kevin Pauza, Gregory Lutz launch study into non-invasive degenerated disc treatment
Gregory Lutz, MD, and Kevin Pauza, MD, launched a new study to examine the clinical effectiveness of Discseel, a treatment to restore and regrow damaged discs in the spine. Discseel is the first treatment designed to replace spinal fusion procedures. Discseel is also the first of its kind to use an FDA-approved biologic to seal and regrow degenerated discs. Read more about the study, here.
Meet the next president of AAOS: Dr. David Halsey
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons named David Halsey, MD, president of the board of directors. Dr. Halsey is the chief of orthopedic surgery at Oak Bluffs, Mass.-based Martha's Vineyard Hospital and professor in the department of orthopedics and rehabilitation at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Halsey has served on 15 AAOS councils and committees, including the board of directors. He also served as a board member of the Association Orthopaedic Political Action Committee.
Mayo Clinic Florida submits permit for $50M addition including expanded spine center
Jacksonville-based Mayo Clinic Florida applied to develop a $50 million addition to its Mayo South Building in San Pablo, Fla., and to expand its Jacksonville campus. The 80,000-square-foot addition and 40,000-square-foot renovation is set to complete in 2019. It will include an expanded spine center and pain rehabilitation programs.
Joimax plans Q2 for limited release of new endoscopic spine surgery system
Karlsruhe, Germany-based joimax presented the new combined 4K resolution camera and LED light source system and its fully integrated documentation and command system at the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting. The company is planning a limited market launch in the U.S. and Europe during the second quarter.
CDC chief: Missing epidemiologist was not passed over for promotion
Acting CDC Director Anne Schuchat, MD, on March 12 denied recent media reports suggesting the CDC epidemiologist who's been missing for a month was passed over for a promotion prior to his disappearance, according to a report from CBS News. Read more, here.
Maimonides Medical Center cuts ribbon on new spine center
Maimonides Medical Center in New York City officially opened its Comprehensive Spine Center Feb. 27. This is Brooklyn's only center to offer minimally invasive and image-guided spine surgery. John Houten, MD, will lead the new spine center.