Here are 15 spine and neurosurgeons making the news this week.
Neurosurgeon Christopher Kager, MD, spoke to Becker's about his new opportunity as principal and CMO of angel venture capital firm, Global Health Impact Fund.
In an interview with Becker's, neurosurgeon Khoi Than, MD, discussed artificial intelligence, changing patient populations and the future of outpatient procedures in spine.
Neurosurgeon Michael Burke, MD, removed a tumor in a pediatric patient using endoscopic clipping and artery cauterization. Dr. Burke used an endoscope at DHR Health in Edenburg, Texas, to pass a micro clip through the arteries and clip the tumor.
Plymouth (Mass.) Bay Orthopedic Associates added orthopedic spine surgeon Aaron Beck, MD, to its staff. Dr. Beck focuses on degenerative spine conditions, adult deformity surgery, traumatic spinal injuries and minimally invasive techniques. He will begin seeing patients at PBOA Sept. 1.
Santa Rosa, Calif.-based neurosurgeon Thomas Keller, MD, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder charges for allegedly causing four patient deaths by overprescribing opioids from 2011 to 2017. Dr. Keller will reappear in court for a preliminary hearing Sep. 3 to see if there is enough evidence for a judge to order him to stand trial.
Sanford Health terminated a neurosurgeon Wilson Asfora, MD, shortly after the government decided to intervene in a whistleblower lawsuit alleging that he committed fraud. The lawsuit claims Dr. Asfora performed unnecessary spine surgery with a device made by a company he owned, and billed Medicare for services that weren't delivered, along with Sanford Health.
Oakland-based Webster Orthopedics added Saqib Hasan, MD, to its surgical staff. Dr. Hasan is trained in orthopedic and neurosurgical spine surgery. He specializes in complex spine surgery with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques and is fully trained in endoscopic spine surgery.
Neurosurgeon Mark Lyerly, MD, was added to the surgical staff at Martinsburg, W.Va.-based WVU Medicine Brain and Spine. He was in private practice in North Carolina for nearly 25 years and arrives from his most recent practice, Neurosurgical Solutions, PA in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Adam Bruggeman, MD, shared his insight on the future of spine care, his non-negotiable patient safety rules and the most important trait for a spine surgeon to exhibit in the operating room.
Orthopedic spine surgeon Thomas Niemeier, MD, joined the surgical team at Savannah, Ga.-based Optim Orthopedics. Dr. Niemeier treats patients for all spinal disorders including cervical spine and complex spinal deformities. He will see patients at Optim's locations in Savannah and Bluffton in Georgia.
Neurosurgeon Robert Gewirtz, MD, of Mount Carmel Central Ohio Neurological Surgeons in Westerville, weighed in on emerging trends in spine in an interview with Becker's.
Two fellowship-trained spine surgeons — Leo Spector, MD, and Alden Milam, MD — of Charlotte-based Ortho Carolina Spine Center shared their insight with Becker's on future spine care trends.
Lancaster, Pa.-based neurosurgeon James Argires, MD, died at age 87. Dr. Argires specialized in triage, trauma, intracranial surgery and spinal surgery. He served on the board of directors at Lancaster (Pa.) General Hospital for 26 years and as chairman of the surgical department.
Meridian, Miss.-based Rush Health Systems added orthopedic spine surgeon Edward Smith, MD, to its team. Dr. Smith treats degenerative disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, spine trauma and deformity.