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.
Gerald Molloy, MD. Total Spine and Orthopedics (Melbourne, Fla.). Dr. Molloy is a neurosurgeon at Total Spine and Orthopedics. He is also the chief of surgery at the practice, growing his team up to five physicians. Dr. Molloy has performed more than 6,000 spine and brain surgeries.
Brian Su, MD. California Orthopedics and Spine (Larkspur). Dr. Su is a spine surgeon at California Orthopedics and Spine. He also serves as chief strategy officer for the practice. Additionally, Dr. Su serves as the medical director of spine surgery at the Marin Health Medical Center and chair of the governing body at Marin Specialty Surgery Center in San Rafael, Calif.
Chukwuka Okafor, MD. Spine Institute of Central Florida (Lakeland). Dr. Okafor is an orthopedic spine surgeon at Spine Institute of Central Florida. He is skilled in all cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine surgeries. Dr. Okafor is also a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Christian Gaffney, MD. Black Hills Orthopedic & Spine Center (Rapid City, S.D.). Dr. Gaffney is a spine surgeon at Black Hills Orthopedic & Spine Center. He specializes in treatments of the back, neck and spine. Dr. Gaffney has clinical interests in minimally invasive surgery, artificial disc replacement, spinal decompression, spinal fusion and spinal fracture treatment.
Christopher Sliva, MD. Rockford (Ill.) Spine Center. Dr. Sliva has been an adult and pediatric spinal surgeon at Rockford Spine Center since 2005. He specializes in treatment of herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis and degenerative spine diseases. Dr. Sliva is also a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the North American Spine Society, the Winnebago County Medical Society and the Illinois State Medical Society.
Jason Cuéllar, MD, PhD. Jason Cuéllar MD, Inc. (Beverly Hills, Calif.). Dr. Cuéllar is an orthopedic spine surgeon at his practice. He specializes in artificial disc replacement and minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Cuéllar is also an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
David Bauer, MD. Texas Children's Hospital (Houston). Dr. Bauer is a spine surgeon at Texas Children's Hospital. He serves as the co-director of the hospital's craniofacial surgery program. Dr. Bauer is also an associate professor of pediatric neurology at the Baylor College of Medicine.
Daren McCalla, MD. Stony Brook (N.Y.) Medicine. Dr. McCalla has been an orthopedic spine surgeon at Stony Brook Medicine since 2022. He specializes in the treatment of degenerative back and neck diseases, herniated discs, complex spine deformities and spine fractures. Dr. McCalla is also a clinical assistant professor in orthopedics at Stony Brook Medicine.
David Minges, MD. Onyx Spine Institute (Creve Coeur, Mo.). Dr. Minges has been an orthopedic spine surgeon at Onyx Spine Institute since 2021. He treats spinal injuries of all types, including chronic conditions. Dr. Minges is also a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and the North American Spine Society.
Brian Gantwerker, MD. The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles. Dr. Gantwerker is a spine and neurosurgeon at the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles. He specializes in treating brain tumors and degenerative spinal cord diseases and injuries. Dr. Gantwerker is also a member of the California Association of Neurological Surgeons.