Here is a list of 10 spine surgeons recently affiliated with National Hockey League teams.
Daniel J. Albright, MD (Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic, Raleigh, N.C.). Dr. Albright is a team physician for the Carolina Hurricane. He is a dually trained orthopedic joint and spine surgeon who has a professional interest in both hip and knee replacements as well as neck and spine pain. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and former president of the Wake County Medical Society. During his career, he also served as the president of the Thomas B. Dameron, Jr. Orthopaedic Education Foundation and a North Carolina statewide organization called "Protect Health Care Now." Dr. Albright earned his medical degree at Louisiana State University in New Orleans and completed his residency at Yale-New Haven (Conn.) Hospital. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at St. Luke's Medical Center in Cleveland and in hip and knee replacements at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Robert s. Bray, Jr., MD (DISC Sports & Spine Center, Marina del Rey, Calif.). Dr. Bray is the founder of DISC Sports & Spine Center, which serves as the official sports and spine center for the Los Angeles Kings as well as the United States Olympic Team. During his career, Dr. Bray was a founding member of the Institute for Spinal Disorders at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and headed the spinal programs at three different hospitals. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Bray participated in the development of the Zeiss Microscope. He holds multiple innovations on spinal implants and surgical instrumentation. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, North American Spine Society and Association of Military Surgeons. Dr. Bray earned his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed his residency in neurosurgery at Baylor Affiliated Hospitals.
Geoffrey Cronen, MD (Florida Medical Clinic, Decade City, Fla.). Dr. Cronen is an official team physician for the Tampa Bay Lightning and several local collegiate athletes. He has a professional interest in treating patients with spinal deformities, trauma, tumors and structural imbalances. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Cronen serves as a clinical assistant professor at the University of South Florida. He is a member of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Cervical Spine Research Society, Scoliosis Research Society and North American Spine Society. Dr. Cronen earned his medical degree and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown. His additional training includes a fellowship in adult and pediatric spine surgery at Washington University in St. Louis.
George R. Cybulski, MD (Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago). Dr. Cybulski is a neurological consultant for the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bears. He has a professional interest in treating spinal diseases, spinal cord injury and tumors of the brain and spine. Before joining Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Dr. Cybulski served as chief of the section of neurosurgery at Lakeside VA Hospital and served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, where he received the Army Commendation Medal for his service during Operation Desert Storm. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Cybulski is an associate professor of neurosurgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He earned his medical degree at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed his residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
Clint J. Devin, MD (Vanderbilt Health, Nashville, Tenn.). Dr. Devin is a spinal consultant for the Nashville Predators and Vanderbilt Athletics. He has a professional interest in treating cervical spine disorders, motion preservation and minimally invasive spine care. During his career, Dr. Devin was part of a team that developed a system to track patient outcomes and use the information to improve care around the country. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Devin is an assistant professor of orthopedic and neurological surgery at Vanderbilt. He earned his medical degree at Vanderbilt and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His additional training includes a spine surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Andrew Dossett, MD (The Carrell Clinic, Dallas). Dr. Dossett is a spine consultant for the Dallas Stars, Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and North American Spine Society. During his career, Dr. Dossett has authored numerous articles on lumbar spinal fusions and neck injuries among athletes. He has also given presentations based on his research nationally. Dr. Dossett earned his medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery from Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.
Arash Emami, MD (University Spine Center, Wayne, N.J.). Dr. Emami is a consulting team physician for the New York Rangers. He is a physician with University Spine Center and serves as the director of spine surgery at Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center in New York City. He has a professional interest in treating patients with complex spinal disorders and has expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery. He was among the first spine surgeons to perform a total disc replacement in the lumbar and cervical spine. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Emami serves as a clinical assistant professor at NYU/Hospital for Joint Disease and is a member of North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Emami earned his medical degree at the University of Chicago, where he also completed his residency. His additional training includes a fellowship at the University of California in San Francisco.
Andrew Hecht, MD (Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City). Dr. Hecht is the spine surgical consultant to the New York Islanders and New York Jets. He is the co-director of spine surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center and director of the NFL Spine Care Program for retired players at Mount Sinai. During his career, Dr. Hecht founded and served as medical co-director of The Newton-Wellesley Spine Center and the director of the spine surgery fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has a professional interest in minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal trauma and spine tumors. He is a member of North American Spine Society. Dr. Hecht earned his medical degree at Harvard Medical School in Boston and completed the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Emory Spine Center in Atlanta.
Plas T. James, MD (Atlanta Spine Institute). Dr. James served as a spine surgeon for the Atlanta Thrashers until the 2011 season, when the team was sold to True North Sports and Entertainment and relocated to Winnipeg, Canada. He also served as an orthopedic spine surgeon with the Atlanta Falcons and provided care for the United States Indoor Track & Field Championships. He has a professional interest in performing minimally invasive spinal surgery. Dr. James previously served as chief of orthopedics at West Paces Medical Center in Atlanta before establishing Atlanta Spine Institute. Dr. James earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in Boston and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. His additional training includes a spine fellowship at Harvard.
Lawrence Lenke, MD (Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis). Dr. Lenke is a spine consultant to the St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Rams and St. Louis Cardinals. He serves as a professor of orthopedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, where he also serves as co-chief of adult and pediatric spine care, scoliosis and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Lenke is also director of spinal surgery at Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis. Dr. Lenke is a member of North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Scoliosis Research Society. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Lenke has published several articles based on his research in scoliosis, acute spinal cord injury and spinal implants. Dr. Lenke earned his medical degree at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. He also completed his pediatric and adult spine surgery fellowship at Washington University.
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Daniel J. Albright, MD (Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic, Raleigh, N.C.). Dr. Albright is a team physician for the Carolina Hurricane. He is a dually trained orthopedic joint and spine surgeon who has a professional interest in both hip and knee replacements as well as neck and spine pain. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and former president of the Wake County Medical Society. During his career, he also served as the president of the Thomas B. Dameron, Jr. Orthopaedic Education Foundation and a North Carolina statewide organization called "Protect Health Care Now." Dr. Albright earned his medical degree at Louisiana State University in New Orleans and completed his residency at Yale-New Haven (Conn.) Hospital. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at St. Luke's Medical Center in Cleveland and in hip and knee replacements at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Robert s. Bray, Jr., MD (DISC Sports & Spine Center, Marina del Rey, Calif.). Dr. Bray is the founder of DISC Sports & Spine Center, which serves as the official sports and spine center for the Los Angeles Kings as well as the United States Olympic Team. During his career, Dr. Bray was a founding member of the Institute for Spinal Disorders at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and headed the spinal programs at three different hospitals. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Bray participated in the development of the Zeiss Microscope. He holds multiple innovations on spinal implants and surgical instrumentation. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, North American Spine Society and Association of Military Surgeons. Dr. Bray earned his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed his residency in neurosurgery at Baylor Affiliated Hospitals.
Geoffrey Cronen, MD (Florida Medical Clinic, Decade City, Fla.). Dr. Cronen is an official team physician for the Tampa Bay Lightning and several local collegiate athletes. He has a professional interest in treating patients with spinal deformities, trauma, tumors and structural imbalances. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Cronen serves as a clinical assistant professor at the University of South Florida. He is a member of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Cervical Spine Research Society, Scoliosis Research Society and North American Spine Society. Dr. Cronen earned his medical degree and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown. His additional training includes a fellowship in adult and pediatric spine surgery at Washington University in St. Louis.
George R. Cybulski, MD (Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago). Dr. Cybulski is a neurological consultant for the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bears. He has a professional interest in treating spinal diseases, spinal cord injury and tumors of the brain and spine. Before joining Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Dr. Cybulski served as chief of the section of neurosurgery at Lakeside VA Hospital and served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, where he received the Army Commendation Medal for his service during Operation Desert Storm. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Cybulski is an associate professor of neurosurgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He earned his medical degree at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed his residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
Clint J. Devin, MD (Vanderbilt Health, Nashville, Tenn.). Dr. Devin is a spinal consultant for the Nashville Predators and Vanderbilt Athletics. He has a professional interest in treating cervical spine disorders, motion preservation and minimally invasive spine care. During his career, Dr. Devin was part of a team that developed a system to track patient outcomes and use the information to improve care around the country. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Devin is an assistant professor of orthopedic and neurological surgery at Vanderbilt. He earned his medical degree at Vanderbilt and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His additional training includes a spine surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Andrew Dossett, MD (The Carrell Clinic, Dallas). Dr. Dossett is a spine consultant for the Dallas Stars, Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and North American Spine Society. During his career, Dr. Dossett has authored numerous articles on lumbar spinal fusions and neck injuries among athletes. He has also given presentations based on his research nationally. Dr. Dossett earned his medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery from Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.
Arash Emami, MD (University Spine Center, Wayne, N.J.). Dr. Emami is a consulting team physician for the New York Rangers. He is a physician with University Spine Center and serves as the director of spine surgery at Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center in New York City. He has a professional interest in treating patients with complex spinal disorders and has expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery. He was among the first spine surgeons to perform a total disc replacement in the lumbar and cervical spine. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Emami serves as a clinical assistant professor at NYU/Hospital for Joint Disease and is a member of North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Emami earned his medical degree at the University of Chicago, where he also completed his residency. His additional training includes a fellowship at the University of California in San Francisco.
Andrew Hecht, MD (Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City). Dr. Hecht is the spine surgical consultant to the New York Islanders and New York Jets. He is the co-director of spine surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center and director of the NFL Spine Care Program for retired players at Mount Sinai. During his career, Dr. Hecht founded and served as medical co-director of The Newton-Wellesley Spine Center and the director of the spine surgery fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has a professional interest in minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal trauma and spine tumors. He is a member of North American Spine Society. Dr. Hecht earned his medical degree at Harvard Medical School in Boston and completed the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Emory Spine Center in Atlanta.
Plas T. James, MD (Atlanta Spine Institute). Dr. James served as a spine surgeon for the Atlanta Thrashers until the 2011 season, when the team was sold to True North Sports and Entertainment and relocated to Winnipeg, Canada. He also served as an orthopedic spine surgeon with the Atlanta Falcons and provided care for the United States Indoor Track & Field Championships. He has a professional interest in performing minimally invasive spinal surgery. Dr. James previously served as chief of orthopedics at West Paces Medical Center in Atlanta before establishing Atlanta Spine Institute. Dr. James earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in Boston and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. His additional training includes a spine fellowship at Harvard.
Lawrence Lenke, MD (Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis). Dr. Lenke is a spine consultant to the St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Rams and St. Louis Cardinals. He serves as a professor of orthopedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, where he also serves as co-chief of adult and pediatric spine care, scoliosis and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Lenke is also director of spinal surgery at Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis. Dr. Lenke is a member of North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Scoliosis Research Society. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Lenke has published several articles based on his research in scoliosis, acute spinal cord injury and spinal implants. Dr. Lenke earned his medical degree at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. He also completed his pediatric and adult spine surgery fellowship at Washington University.
Relate Articles on Spine Surgeons:
10 Spine Surgeon Practice Leaders to Know
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10 Spine Surgeons for Professional Basketball Teams