Here are 10 spine surgeons to know:
Editor's note: This is not a list of top surgeons, but a list highlighting professional accomplishments. Becker's does not endorse any surgeons featured on this list. To nominate a surgeon for future lists, please contact Carly Behm at cbehm@beckershealthcare.com.
Chase Bennett, MD. Novant Health Brain & Spine Surgery (Winston-Salem and Bermuda Run, N.C.). Dr. Bennett has worked at Novant Health for more than three years and is the lead clinician for spine surgery. His expertise includes minimally invasive techniques, robot-assisted surgery and motion-sparing techniques.
Jason Billinghurst, MD. IntegraMed Spine (West Palm Beach, Fla.). Dr. Billinghurst has published research about kyphosis surgical techniques, cervical disc arthroplasty and monitoring intraoperative visual pathways. He is a minimally invasive spine specialist and has extensive experience with kyphoplasty for treating osteoporotic compression fractures.
Peter Gerszten, MD. UPMC School of Medicine. Dr. Gerszten is director of percutaneous spine service and vice chair of quality improvement. He was co-editor of the 2015 second edition of Spine Radiosurgery.
Eldin Karaikovic, MD, PhD. Weiss Memorial Hospital (Chicago). Dr. Karaikovic has been a practicing spine surgeon since 2002. He has co-written more than 30 papers and book chapters and given more than 90 presentations.
Richard Kim, MD. DISC Sports and Spine Center (Newport Beach, Calif.). Dr. Kim has pioneered a minimally invasive endoscopic approach to the resection of pituitary tumors. He serves on committees with the American Epilepsy Society, the Epilepsy Foundation of America and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Joseph Koziol, MD. Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (Livingston, N.J.). Dr. Koziol has been an attending physician at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center for nearly 30 years. In January, he was appointed chair of neurosurgery.
Alen Nourian, MD. Solo practitioner spine surgeon in California. Dr. Nourian has lectured nationally and internationally about his research on spinal disorders and treatments for anterior and lateral spinal fusion. He left Ventura (Calif.) Orthopedics to launch his solo practice in Southern California in March 2021.
Andrew Sama, MD. Hospital for Special Surgery (New York City). Dr. Sama is co-chief of spine surgery at HSS and is an associate professor at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City. He's involved in product development and has helped design orthopedic implants for spine surgery.
Stephen Tolhurst, MD. Texas Back Institute (Flower Mound and Denton). Dr. Tolhurst has served as chair of surgery at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound. He joined Texas Back Institute in 2012 and has a special interest in cervical spine conditions.
Lloyd Zucker, MD. Brain and Spine Center of South Florida (West Palm Beach, Fla.). Dr. Zucker has established a pre-med mentorship program at American Heritage School in Delray Beach, Fla., and contributes to the teaching of medical students. He also works as chief of neurosurgery at Delray Medical Center in Delray Beach.