ThedaCare has named Mary Downs its new system vice president for the spine and orthopedic business lines.

Although many research and journal publications show that minimally invasive techniques for spine procedures are beneficial clinically, the adoption of techniques has been slow.

This conference includes great spine, orthopedic and pain management physician leaders as speakers. These include speakers such as Charles Gordon, MD, of Texas Spine and Joint Hospital; David Rothbart, MD, of Spine Team Texas; Richard Wohns, MD, of South Sound Neurosurgery; Scott Glaser, MD, of Pain Specialists of Greater Chicago; Kenneth Pettine, MD, of The Spine Institute and Loveland Surgery Center; Brian Cole, MD, of Rush University Medical Center; Laxmaiah Manchikanti, MD, of the American Society for Interventional Pain Management Physicians; John Caruso, MD, of Parkway Surgery Center; John Peloza, MD, of the Center for Spine Care; and James T. Caillouette, MD, of Hoag Orthopaedic Institute will all lead informative sessions about the biggest ideas, challenges and trends in spine, orthopedics and pain management.

Kalispell (Mont.) Regional Medical Center has announced the recent opening of its Neuroscience and Spine Institute, expanding its care of the brain, spine and nervous system.

ArthroCare reported total revenue of $92.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2011, a slight decrease from the $92.6 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2010, according to a company news release.

Rothman Institute in Philadelphia recently welcomed physical medicine and rehabilitation physician Natacha S. Falcon, DO, according to a practice news release.

Here are reports on 23 new surgery centers that were opened, announced or broke ground in November. Note: Clicking a link will open the report in a new tab.

X-spine, a global manufacturer of devices for the treatment of spinal disease, announced the release of the Hgraft Spinal Implant system in a recent X-spine news release.

At the 26th annual meeting of the North American Spine Society, Metronicannounced the launch of the Aquamantys Mini EVS 3.4 Epidural Vein Sealer, according to a recent Medtronic news release.

CEO of Laser Spine Institute Bill Horne announced that the institute is reaching out to raise awareness about common spinal conditions and treatments for those who suffer from neck and back pain throughout October, according to a Laser Spine Institute news release.