Below is a list of 10 spine surgeons who have made a positive impact on their organizations and the specialty.
Editor's Note: This is not a list of top surgeons, but rather a list highlighting professional accomplishments. Becker's does not endorse any surgeons featured on this list.
This is not an exhaustive list. To nominate a physician for future lists, please contact Cameron Cortigiano at ccortigiano@beckershealthcare.com.
Sheyan Armaghani, MD. Orlando Health-Jewett Orthopedic Institute (Fla.). Dr. Armaghani has been a spine surgeon at Orlando Health since 2022. He specializes in degenerative spine conditions, with an interest in treatments of neck and back pain. Dr. Armaghani has co-authored more than 25 publications on topics ranging from post-operative pain management to treating patients with diabetes.
Bharat Guthikonda, MD. Ochsner LSU Health (Shreveport, La.). Dr. Guthikonda is a neurosurgeon of Ochsner LSU Health. He has special interests in skull base research, brain aneurysms, brain tumors and arteriovenous malformations. Dr. Guthikonda also serves as the chair of the department of neurosurgery at LSU Health Shreveport.
Jason Billinghurst, MD. IntegraMed Spine (West Palm Beach, Fla.). Dr. Billinghurst is an orthopedic spine surgeon of IntegraMed Spine. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery, utilizing techniques that allow for outpatient surgery, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times. Dr. Billinghurst is also a member of the North American Spine Society.
Brian Neuman, MD. Washington University Orthopedics (St. Louis). Dr. Neuman has been a spine surgeon at Washington University Orthopedics since 2022. He specializes in the treatment of complex spinal deformity conditions and complex revision surgery of conditions including scoliosis, kyphosis and flatback syndrome. Dr. Neuman is also the co-chief of the spine division at Washington University School of Medicine.
Brian Cole, MD. Englewood (N.J.) Spine Associates. Dr. Cole founded Englewood Spine Associates in 2019. His practice is committed to minimally invasive spine surgery and motion preserving technologies. Dr. Cole is also the vice president of C2 Medical Robotics, a company that develops robotics tools and systems for spine and back procedures.
Hooman Melamed, MD. The Spine Pro (Beverly Hills, Calif.). Dr. Melamed founded the Spine Pro in 2005. He specializes in endoscopic and microscopic spinal and scoliosis surgery. Dr. Melamed is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and a member of the Scoliosis Research Society.
Dean Toumbis, MD, PhD. Citrus Spine Institute (Crystal River, Fla.). Dr. Toumbis is an orthopedic spine surgeon at Citrus Spine Institute. He specializes in cervical, thoracic and lumbar surgery. Dr. Toumbis is also a member of the North American Spine Society, the Florida Wellcare Alliance and the Florida Orthopedic Society.
Reginald Tall, MD. Orlando Health-Jewett Orthopedic Institute (Fla.). Dr. Tall is a spine surgeon specialist at Orlando Health. He provides services including lumbar disc surgery, spinal fusion techniques and back rehabilitation. Dr. Tall is also a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the North American Spine Society and the Scoliosis Research Association.
Chase Bennett, MD. Novant Health (Charlotte, N.C.). Dr. Bennett the lead clinician of spine surgery at Novant Health. He has focuses in back pain and complex spine surgery. Dr. Bennett has experience using minimally invasive and motion sparing techniques as well as robotic assistance and image navigation.
Christina Cheng, MD. University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. Dr. Cheng is a spine surgeon at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. She specializes in the treatment of spinal disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Dr. Cheng is also an assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland.