Here are 10 leaders of new spine and neurosurgery programs at hospitals and surgery centers in 2011.
David L. Kramer, MD (Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Conn.). Dr. Kramer is the co-director of The Spine Center at Danbury Hospital, along with S. Javid Shahid, MD. Danbury Hospital renovated its spine and joint replacement wing earlier this year, which now includes 31 private rooms. In addition to his position at The Spine Center, Dr. Kramer sits on the Board of Directors of Western Connecticut Health Network and serves as a partner with Connecticut Neck & Back Specialists. He has a professional interest in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Kramer has conducted research and published articles in professional journals, such as Spine. Dr. Kramer earned his medical degree at Dartmouth Medical School and completed the Harvard Combined orthopedic residency program in Boston. His additional training includes a spine and neurosurgical fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital/Rothman Institute in Philadelphia.
Kevin Lee, DO (Lakes Surgery Center, West Bloomfield, Mich.). Dr. Lee is a neurosurgeon with Lakes Surgery Center, which recently became the first ASC to purchase Mazor Robotics’ Renaissances system for robotic spine surgery. Dr. Lee performs pain management and endoscopic spinal procedures using the system at Lakes Surgery Center. Dr. Lee earned his DO at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Wayne State University Medical Center in Detroit.
Thomas S. Loftus, MD (Austin Neurosurgical Institute, Austin, Texas). Dr. Loftus is the founder of Austin Neurosurgical Institute and leader of the outpatient spine services at Cedar Park (Texas) Surgery Center. The ASC began offering outpatient spine surgery through a partnership between Austin Neurosurgical Institute and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery of Austin. Dr. Loftus serves as an educator for Medtronic Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Courses and has given several presentations on the technique. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Loftus also develops equipment for surgery and has at least three patents pending. He is a member of the North American Spine Society, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Loftus earned his medical degree at the University of Texas—Southwestern Medical School at Dallas and completed his residency in neurological surgery at the University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics. His additional training includes a complex spine surgery fellowship with Columbia Orthopedic Group.
Alvin Marcovici, MD (Southcoast Health System, North Dartmouth, Mass.). Dr. Harrison is a neurological surgeon with the Southcoast Brain & Spine Center, which was unveiled earlier this year. The new center includes treatment for patients with neurological and spinal disorders. Dr. Marcovici has a professional interest in complex spine surgery, brain tumors and epilepsy. He is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and American Association of Neurological Surgeons. In addition to his position at Southcoast Brain & Spine Center, Dr. Marcovici practices with Southcoast Neurosurgery and is on staff at three other Massachusetts hospitals. Dr. Marcovici earned his medical degree at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven and completed his neurosurgical residency at Albert Einstein College in Bronx, N.Y. His additional training includes a fellowship in reconstructive spinal surgery with an emphasis on spinal deformity at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.
Said Osman, MD (American Spine Center, Frederick, Md.). Dr. Osman is a spine surgeon at American Spine Center, which opened this past summer as a spine-focused ASC. He has a professional interest in minimizing trauma associated with spine surgery and has been involved with developing minimally invasive spine surgery techniques. He also performs complex open procedures and joint replacements. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Osman is a fellow of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his medical degree at the University of Nairobi in Kenya and completed additional fellowship studies at Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Scotland. His additional training includes a fellowship and residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
John Peloza, MD (Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Dallas). Dr. Peloza is the founding surgeon of the Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery, which was founded earlier this year through a partnership between local physicians and Meridian Surgical Partners. Dr. Peloza is also the founder of the Center for Spine Care.
He has a professional interest and is a pioneer in true minimal access spinal technology and performs micro-endoscopic procedures for herniated discs, along with other procedures. He is a clinical investigator on numerous medical research studies related to the spine. He was instrumental in the launch of spinal treatments, including SEXTANT, MET-Rx and the MAVERICK total disc replacement. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago and completed his residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. His additional training includes fellowships in knee and shoulder reconstructive surgery and spinal surgery.
Robert Rosenwasser, MD (Kennedy Health System, Camden, N.J.). Dr. Rosenwasser is the chief of neurosurgery at Kennedy University Hospital and director of the division of cerebrovascular surgery and interventional neuroradiology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He also serves as a professor and chairman of neurosurgery as well as training program director at Thomas Jefferson University. Kennedy University Hospital—Washington Township recently opened a $5.7 million interventional neurosurgery suite, which includes a team of neurosurgeons who will treat patients with minimally invasive procedures. He has a professional interest in cerebrovascular neurosurgery, interventional neuroradiology and radiosurgery for AVMs. Dr. Rosenwasser earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his residency at Temple University Hospital. His additional training includes fellowships at New York University Medical Center in New York City and at University of Western Ontario in Canada.
Rick Sasso, MD (Indiana Spine Group, Indianapolis). Dr. Sasso is a founding member and president of the Indiana Spine Group, which opened a new ASC recently. He also serves as the co-medical director of the St. Vincent Spine Center in Indianapolis and chief of spine surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine. He has a professional interest in treating patients with minimally invasive spine surgery and has been involved with developing instrumentation used to treat spinal disorders. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Sasso is a member of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and Scoliosis Research Society. He earned his medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. His additional training includes fellowships in spine surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and in Switzerland.
Michael P. Steinmetz, MD (MetroHealth, Cleveland). Dr. Steinmetz is the chair of the department of neurosciences at MetroHealth and an associate professor at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland. He heads the new department of combined spine surgeons and neurosurgeons at MetroHealth, which is dedicated to neurosciences. He has a professional interest in neurosurgery, adult spinal deformity surgery and complex spine surgery. During his career, Dr. Steinmetz authored several articles based on his research for professional publications, such as the Journal of Neurosurgery. Dr. Steinmetz earned his medical degree at Texas Tech School of Medicine in Lubbock and completed his residency at Cleveland Clinic. His additional training includes a fellowship in complex spine surgery at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison.
Charles Taylon, MD (Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, Neb.). Dr. Taylon is the chief of neurosurgery at Creighton University School of Medicine, which recently renovated its orthopedic and neurological units. He also serves as an associate professor at Creighton. He has a professional interest in neuro-trauma, basic spine surgery and peripheral nerve neurosurgery. Dr. Taylon earned his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine and completed his residency in neurological surgery at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
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Kevin Lee, DO (Lakes Surgery Center, West Bloomfield, Mich.). Dr. Lee is a neurosurgeon with Lakes Surgery Center, which recently became the first ASC to purchase Mazor Robotics’ Renaissances system for robotic spine surgery. Dr. Lee performs pain management and endoscopic spinal procedures using the system at Lakes Surgery Center. Dr. Lee earned his DO at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Wayne State University Medical Center in Detroit.
Thomas S. Loftus, MD (Austin Neurosurgical Institute, Austin, Texas). Dr. Loftus is the founder of Austin Neurosurgical Institute and leader of the outpatient spine services at Cedar Park (Texas) Surgery Center. The ASC began offering outpatient spine surgery through a partnership between Austin Neurosurgical Institute and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery of Austin. Dr. Loftus serves as an educator for Medtronic Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Courses and has given several presentations on the technique. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Loftus also develops equipment for surgery and has at least three patents pending. He is a member of the North American Spine Society, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Loftus earned his medical degree at the University of Texas—Southwestern Medical School at Dallas and completed his residency in neurological surgery at the University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics. His additional training includes a complex spine surgery fellowship with Columbia Orthopedic Group.
Alvin Marcovici, MD (Southcoast Health System, North Dartmouth, Mass.). Dr. Harrison is a neurological surgeon with the Southcoast Brain & Spine Center, which was unveiled earlier this year. The new center includes treatment for patients with neurological and spinal disorders. Dr. Marcovici has a professional interest in complex spine surgery, brain tumors and epilepsy. He is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and American Association of Neurological Surgeons. In addition to his position at Southcoast Brain & Spine Center, Dr. Marcovici practices with Southcoast Neurosurgery and is on staff at three other Massachusetts hospitals. Dr. Marcovici earned his medical degree at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven and completed his neurosurgical residency at Albert Einstein College in Bronx, N.Y. His additional training includes a fellowship in reconstructive spinal surgery with an emphasis on spinal deformity at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.
Said Osman, MD (American Spine Center, Frederick, Md.). Dr. Osman is a spine surgeon at American Spine Center, which opened this past summer as a spine-focused ASC. He has a professional interest in minimizing trauma associated with spine surgery and has been involved with developing minimally invasive spine surgery techniques. He also performs complex open procedures and joint replacements. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Osman is a fellow of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his medical degree at the University of Nairobi in Kenya and completed additional fellowship studies at Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Scotland. His additional training includes a fellowship and residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
John Peloza, MD (Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Dallas). Dr. Peloza is the founding surgeon of the Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery, which was founded earlier this year through a partnership between local physicians and Meridian Surgical Partners. Dr. Peloza is also the founder of the Center for Spine Care.
He has a professional interest and is a pioneer in true minimal access spinal technology and performs micro-endoscopic procedures for herniated discs, along with other procedures. He is a clinical investigator on numerous medical research studies related to the spine. He was instrumental in the launch of spinal treatments, including SEXTANT, MET-Rx and the MAVERICK total disc replacement. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago and completed his residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. His additional training includes fellowships in knee and shoulder reconstructive surgery and spinal surgery.
Robert Rosenwasser, MD (Kennedy Health System, Camden, N.J.). Dr. Rosenwasser is the chief of neurosurgery at Kennedy University Hospital and director of the division of cerebrovascular surgery and interventional neuroradiology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He also serves as a professor and chairman of neurosurgery as well as training program director at Thomas Jefferson University. Kennedy University Hospital—Washington Township recently opened a $5.7 million interventional neurosurgery suite, which includes a team of neurosurgeons who will treat patients with minimally invasive procedures. He has a professional interest in cerebrovascular neurosurgery, interventional neuroradiology and radiosurgery for AVMs. Dr. Rosenwasser earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his residency at Temple University Hospital. His additional training includes fellowships at New York University Medical Center in New York City and at University of Western Ontario in Canada.
Rick Sasso, MD (Indiana Spine Group, Indianapolis). Dr. Sasso is a founding member and president of the Indiana Spine Group, which opened a new ASC recently. He also serves as the co-medical director of the St. Vincent Spine Center in Indianapolis and chief of spine surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine. He has a professional interest in treating patients with minimally invasive spine surgery and has been involved with developing instrumentation used to treat spinal disorders. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Sasso is a member of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and Scoliosis Research Society. He earned his medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. His additional training includes fellowships in spine surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and in Switzerland.
Michael P. Steinmetz, MD (MetroHealth, Cleveland). Dr. Steinmetz is the chair of the department of neurosciences at MetroHealth and an associate professor at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland. He heads the new department of combined spine surgeons and neurosurgeons at MetroHealth, which is dedicated to neurosciences. He has a professional interest in neurosurgery, adult spinal deformity surgery and complex spine surgery. During his career, Dr. Steinmetz authored several articles based on his research for professional publications, such as the Journal of Neurosurgery. Dr. Steinmetz earned his medical degree at Texas Tech School of Medicine in Lubbock and completed his residency at Cleveland Clinic. His additional training includes a fellowship in complex spine surgery at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison.
Charles Taylon, MD (Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, Neb.). Dr. Taylon is the chief of neurosurgery at Creighton University School of Medicine, which recently renovated its orthopedic and neurological units. He also serves as an associate professor at Creighton. He has a professional interest in neuro-trauma, basic spine surgery and peripheral nerve neurosurgery. Dr. Taylon earned his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine and completed his residency in neurological surgery at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
Related Articles on Spine Surgery:
10 Cost Benchmarks for Outpatient Cervical Spine Surgery
Where Spine Research is Headed: 5 Points From Dr. Frank Phillips
Building a Foundation for Scoliosis Treatment: 3 Important Studies