Here are 20 spine surgeons and specialists who are leaders at children's hospitals around the country. If you would like to recommend a surgeon for inclusion on this list, please contact Laura at lmiller@beckershealthcare.com.
Afshin Aminian, MD (Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, Calif.). Dr. Aminian is the program director for the Children's Hospital of Orange County Spine Center. He has a special interest in scoliosis surgery and treating spinal deformities in children. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Aminian's research examines innovative ways to surgically correct spinal deformities and outcomes for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. He has also given presentations based on his research at national and international meetings. He is affiliated with the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North American, Scoliosis Research Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Aminian earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. His additional training includes a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics at San Diego Children's Hospital.
Alvin H. Crawford, MD (Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center). Dr. Crawford is the co-director of the Crawford Spine Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and a professor of pediatric orthopedic surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Dr. Crawford is among the leaders of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and neurofibromatosis. Throughout his career, Dr. Crawford has authored several publications that are used widely for instructing new physicians today, as well as more than 200 articles in professional publications. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Crawford has served as vice president of the J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society and received the Diversity Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the Scoliosis Research Society. Dr. Crawford earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the US Naval Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital, all in Boston. He also completed fellowships at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston and the Alfred I. duPont Institute in Wilmington, Del.
Geoffrey Cronen, MD (Shriners Hospital for Children, Tampa). Dr. Cronen is the chief of spinal deformity surgery at Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa and an associate professor of orthopedics at the University of South Florida. He has a special interest in pediatric and adult spinal surgery and treating deformities. He is also affiliated with Florida Medical Clinic, which is the official team physician for the Tampa Bay Lightning. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Cronen is focused on research and has presented on spine-related topics across the world. Dr. Cronen earned his medical degree at the University of Louisville (Ky.) and completed his residency at West Virginia University in Morgantown. His additional training includes an adult and pediatric spine surgery fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Mohammad Diab, MD (UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco). With expertise in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions in children and teenagers, Dr. Diab is chief of the division of pediatric neurosurgery at Benioff Children's Hospital. He has a professional interest in treating spinal deformity in children, including scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. His book, Principles of Pediatric Orthopedics, is set to publish in 2012. He is a member of several professional societies, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Academy of Pediatrics. He has given presentations internationally, including lectures in Scotland and Japan. Dr. Diab received his medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, Calif., completed his residency at University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle and received fellowship training at Harvard University in Boston.
John Dimar, MD (Norton Spine Care, Louisville, Ky.). Dr. Dimar is a clinical professor with the department of orthopedic surgery and chief pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Kosair Children's Hospital and director of resident basic science education at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. His clinical interests are in the treatment of cervical spine diseases, degenerative spine diseases and spine trauma. He's an active researcher and had published many articles and book chapters on the treatment of spinal problems. Dr. Dimar received his medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. He completed a residency in orthopedics through the Lutheran Hospital Orthopaedic Residency Program in Fort Wayne, Ind., and an internship and spine fellowship at the Leatherman Spine Center. He's a member of the North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.
John Emans, MD (Children's Hospital, Boston). Dr. Emans is the director of the division of spine surgery at Children's Hospital in Boston and a professor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School. He has a special interest in treating patients with spinal deformity. At Children's Hospital, the spine team performs procedures that include expansion thoracostomy, dual posterior growing rods for early onset scoliosis and mono-segmental reduction and fusion for severe spondylolisthesis. He is also a member of the Scoliosis Research Society, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Emans earned his medical degree at Harvard Medical School in Boston and completed the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency program. His additional training includes a residency in general surgery at the Peter Bent Hospital in Boston.
Mark A. Erickson, MD (Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora). Dr. Erickson is an orthopedic surgeon at the Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, and he treats many conditions related to orthopedics, spine, trauma care and scoliosis. He's an associate professor and chair of the department of pediatric orthopedic surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where he also served an internship in surgery and a residency in orthopedic surgery. He completed a spine fellowship at the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas. Dr. Erickson is a member of many organizations, including the Western Orthopaedic Association, Scoliosis Research Society, Scoliosis Association, Rocky Mountain Orthopaedic Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Colorado Orthopaedic Society.
Gregory V. Hahn, MD (All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine, St. Petersburg, Fla.). Dr. Hahn is an Affiliate Assistant Professor at USF College of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. He is past chairman of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and is currently Chief of Staff at All Children's Hospital. Dr. Hahn is board certified and has been recertified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He stayed at the University of Pennsylvania for his orthopedic residency training and completed his pediatric orthopedic fellowship at San Diego Children's Hospital. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Florida Orthopaedic Society and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. He is a Fellow of the Scoliosis Research Society.
Kim Hammerberg, MD (Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago). Dr. Hammerberg is the chief of spine surgery at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Chicago and has a professional interest in treating patients with complex pediatric spine deformities. His current research includes a prospective pediatric scoliosis study, spine deformity registry and VEPTR implantation to treat patients with early onset scoliosis. Dr. Hammerberg earned his medical degree at the University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. His additional training includes a spine fellowship at Rush as well as two traveling spine fellowships in Germany and France.
Wally Krengel, MD (Seattle Children's Hospital). Dr. Krengel is the chief of spine surgery at Seattle Children's Hospital. He has a special interest in treating pediatric spinal deformity, pediatric cervical spine instability and congenital deformity as well as general pediatric orthopedic trauma. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Krengel is an associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Scoliosis Research Society and North American Spine Society. He also participates in research and has authored articles published in professional journals. Dr. Krengel earned his medical degree at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., and completed a residency at the University of Washington. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of Washington.
Jeffrey B. Neustadt, MD (All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine, St. Petersburg, Fla.). Since 1991, Dr. Neustadt has been on the clinical faculty of the University of South Florida, College of Medicine, and in 2011 was promoted to full Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery as well as Clinical Professor of Pediatrics. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at All Children's Hospital and previously served as the Chairman of the Department of Surgery. He received his medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine. His orthopaedic residency training was at The University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. He did a pediatric orthopaedic and scoliosis surgery fellowship at The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Before coming to St. Petersburg, Dr. Neustadt was an instructor in Orthopaedic Surgery at Georgetown University. He has been and continues to be an oral examiner for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is a fellow of the Scoliosis Research Society and is currently conducting research projects in scoliosis surgery.
Peter Newton, MD (Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego). Dr. Newton has been a pediatric orthopedic surgeon for more than 25 years. He practices at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, where he is also the chief of orthopedic research. He is also an associate clinical professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at the University of California San Diego. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas and completed an internship and residency at the University of California San Diego. He completed a fellowship at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Dr. Newton is a member of many societies, including the American Medical Association, California Medical Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics and Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons.
W. Jerry Oakes, MD (Children's Hospital of Alabama, Birmingham). Dr. Oakes is chief of pediatric neurosurgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and surgeon-in-chief of the Children's Hospital of Alabama. His interests include the surgical management of spasticity, occult and open spinal dysraphism and Chiari malformations. He is a pediatric neurosurgeon and treats neurological oncology, trauma, critical care and vascular neurosurgery. He received his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C., where he also completed an internship. He completed residencies at Duke and Toronto General Hospital for Sick Children.
B. Stephens Richards, MD (Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas). Dr. Richards is the president of the Scoliosis Research Society. He also serves as the assistant chief of staff and medical director of inpatient services at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Richards is on the editorial board of the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics and serves as a reviewer for Spine. He is a member of the North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. He previously served as president of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. Dr. Richards earned his medical degree at the St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Amer Samdani, MD (Shriners Hospital for Children, Philadelphia). Dr. Samdani is chief of surgery and former director of spine surgery and medical director of Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. He has a special interest in pediatric spine care, including deformity and spinal cord injury. During his career, Dr. Samdani has given spine-related presentations, including at the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies' Spine Committee bi-annual conference. Dr. Samdani earned his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, where he also completed his residency. His additional training includes a fellowship at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Harry L. Shufflebarger, MD (Miami Children's Hospital). Dr. Shufflebarger is the director of the division of pediatric spine surgery at Miami Children's Hospital. He previously served as a professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine. During his career, Dr. Shufflebarger has authored several publications on topics such as spinal deformity and spine degeneration and chaired several scientific courses focused on these topics around the world. He is a member of many professional organizations, including the North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Academy of Pediatrics. He has also served as president of the Scoliosis Research Society. Dr. Shufflebarger earned his medical degree at Emory University in Atlanta, where he also completed his residency.
David Skaggs, MD (Children's Hospital Los Angeles). Dr. Skaggs is the endowed chair of pediatric spinal disorders and director of the Children's Orthopedic Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Throughout his career, he has published more than 80 papers and delivered in excess of 500 lectures in his subspecialty. He has also spent time working on minimally invasive techniques for surgery and developing the next generation of spinal implants to work with those procedures. The implants he is working on for the future are in contrast to the traditional fusion because they will straighten the spine while permitting motion between segments. Dr. Skaggs earned his medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, both in New York City. His additional training includes fellowships in orthopedic research at Columbia and in pediatric orthopedic surgery at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
John T. Smith, MD (Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City). Dr. Smith is a professor in the department of orthopedics at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, and he practices at Primary Children's Medical Center. He is the director of the pediatric scoliosis clinic. His practice is focused on the treatment of spine deformities in children and adolescents. He received his medical degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He then completed his residency at the University of Utah and did a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics and spinal deformities at Scottish Rites Hospital in Atlanta. Dr. Smith is an active researcher, and his interests focus on pediatric spine disorders, fractures and cost-effective care. He has been involved in the development of the Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib and its use in children with neuromuscular scoliosis.
Peter Stasikelis, MD (Shrines Hospital for Children—Greenville, S.C.). Dr. Stasikelis is the chief of staff for Shriners Hospital for Children—Greenville, where he has been the backbone of the spine program for more than 14 years. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and Scoliosis Research Society. Dr. Stasikelis has a special interest in treating patients with spine conditions, limb deformities and neuromuscular disease. He earned his medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Stasikelis' additional training includes a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics and spine deformity at Shriners Hospital for Children—Greenville.
John Theometz, MD (Medical College of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa). Dr. Theometz is board certified in orthopedic surgery with a special interest in pediatric orthopedic surgery. He is a professor of orthopedic surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin, medical director of the pediatric division and chief of pediatric orthopedics at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. He subspecializes in spine-related pediatric orthopedics and has an interest in pediatric hip and foot deformities, particularly congenital clubfoot. Dr. Theometz is involved in research on surgically correcting scoliosis without spinal fusion and has done work on conservative care of deformities. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where he also served his residency in orthopedic surgery. He completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics at the Children's Hospital of Boston. He's a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, Scoliosis Research Society and Wisconsin Orthopaedic Society.
Michael G. Vitale, MD (New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital , New York City). Dr. Vitale is the chief of the pediatric spine and scoliosis service at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital a professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at Columbia University. He has a special interest in pediatric spine surgery, scoliosis and lumbar spine problems, focusing on early onset scoliosis and the use of vertical expandable titanium rod devices. In addition to his clinical work, he leads a clinical research team and is a member of the Spine Deformity Study Group. Dr. Vitale earned his medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City and completed his residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. His additional training includes a fellowship at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.
W. Timothy Ward, MD (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh). Dr. Ward is chief of the division of pediatric orthopedic surgery and a professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he is also executive vice chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with research interests in outcomes research, spinal cord injury, spinal deformity and congenital hip disease. His clinical specialties are pediatric scoliosis and related spinal disorders. Dr. Ward received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He completed a residency at Duke University Medical Center. He completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics and scoliosis surgery at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas. He's a member of societies including the North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American and more.
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Afshin Aminian, MD (Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, Calif.). Dr. Aminian is the program director for the Children's Hospital of Orange County Spine Center. He has a special interest in scoliosis surgery and treating spinal deformities in children. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Aminian's research examines innovative ways to surgically correct spinal deformities and outcomes for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. He has also given presentations based on his research at national and international meetings. He is affiliated with the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North American, Scoliosis Research Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Aminian earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. His additional training includes a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics at San Diego Children's Hospital.
Alvin H. Crawford, MD (Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center). Dr. Crawford is the co-director of the Crawford Spine Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and a professor of pediatric orthopedic surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Dr. Crawford is among the leaders of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and neurofibromatosis. Throughout his career, Dr. Crawford has authored several publications that are used widely for instructing new physicians today, as well as more than 200 articles in professional publications. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Crawford has served as vice president of the J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society and received the Diversity Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the Scoliosis Research Society. Dr. Crawford earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the US Naval Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital, all in Boston. He also completed fellowships at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston and the Alfred I. duPont Institute in Wilmington, Del.
Geoffrey Cronen, MD (Shriners Hospital for Children, Tampa). Dr. Cronen is the chief of spinal deformity surgery at Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa and an associate professor of orthopedics at the University of South Florida. He has a special interest in pediatric and adult spinal surgery and treating deformities. He is also affiliated with Florida Medical Clinic, which is the official team physician for the Tampa Bay Lightning. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Cronen is focused on research and has presented on spine-related topics across the world. Dr. Cronen earned his medical degree at the University of Louisville (Ky.) and completed his residency at West Virginia University in Morgantown. His additional training includes an adult and pediatric spine surgery fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Mohammad Diab, MD (UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco). With expertise in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions in children and teenagers, Dr. Diab is chief of the division of pediatric neurosurgery at Benioff Children's Hospital. He has a professional interest in treating spinal deformity in children, including scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. His book, Principles of Pediatric Orthopedics, is set to publish in 2012. He is a member of several professional societies, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Academy of Pediatrics. He has given presentations internationally, including lectures in Scotland and Japan. Dr. Diab received his medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, Calif., completed his residency at University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle and received fellowship training at Harvard University in Boston.
John Dimar, MD (Norton Spine Care, Louisville, Ky.). Dr. Dimar is a clinical professor with the department of orthopedic surgery and chief pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Kosair Children's Hospital and director of resident basic science education at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. His clinical interests are in the treatment of cervical spine diseases, degenerative spine diseases and spine trauma. He's an active researcher and had published many articles and book chapters on the treatment of spinal problems. Dr. Dimar received his medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. He completed a residency in orthopedics through the Lutheran Hospital Orthopaedic Residency Program in Fort Wayne, Ind., and an internship and spine fellowship at the Leatherman Spine Center. He's a member of the North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.
John Emans, MD (Children's Hospital, Boston). Dr. Emans is the director of the division of spine surgery at Children's Hospital in Boston and a professor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School. He has a special interest in treating patients with spinal deformity. At Children's Hospital, the spine team performs procedures that include expansion thoracostomy, dual posterior growing rods for early onset scoliosis and mono-segmental reduction and fusion for severe spondylolisthesis. He is also a member of the Scoliosis Research Society, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Emans earned his medical degree at Harvard Medical School in Boston and completed the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency program. His additional training includes a residency in general surgery at the Peter Bent Hospital in Boston.
Mark A. Erickson, MD (Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora). Dr. Erickson is an orthopedic surgeon at the Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, and he treats many conditions related to orthopedics, spine, trauma care and scoliosis. He's an associate professor and chair of the department of pediatric orthopedic surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where he also served an internship in surgery and a residency in orthopedic surgery. He completed a spine fellowship at the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas. Dr. Erickson is a member of many organizations, including the Western Orthopaedic Association, Scoliosis Research Society, Scoliosis Association, Rocky Mountain Orthopaedic Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Colorado Orthopaedic Society.
Gregory V. Hahn, MD (All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine, St. Petersburg, Fla.). Dr. Hahn is an Affiliate Assistant Professor at USF College of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. He is past chairman of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and is currently Chief of Staff at All Children's Hospital. Dr. Hahn is board certified and has been recertified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He stayed at the University of Pennsylvania for his orthopedic residency training and completed his pediatric orthopedic fellowship at San Diego Children's Hospital. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Florida Orthopaedic Society and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. He is a Fellow of the Scoliosis Research Society.
Kim Hammerberg, MD (Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago). Dr. Hammerberg is the chief of spine surgery at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Chicago and has a professional interest in treating patients with complex pediatric spine deformities. His current research includes a prospective pediatric scoliosis study, spine deformity registry and VEPTR implantation to treat patients with early onset scoliosis. Dr. Hammerberg earned his medical degree at the University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. His additional training includes a spine fellowship at Rush as well as two traveling spine fellowships in Germany and France.
Wally Krengel, MD (Seattle Children's Hospital). Dr. Krengel is the chief of spine surgery at Seattle Children's Hospital. He has a special interest in treating pediatric spinal deformity, pediatric cervical spine instability and congenital deformity as well as general pediatric orthopedic trauma. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Krengel is an associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Scoliosis Research Society and North American Spine Society. He also participates in research and has authored articles published in professional journals. Dr. Krengel earned his medical degree at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., and completed a residency at the University of Washington. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of Washington.
Jeffrey B. Neustadt, MD (All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine, St. Petersburg, Fla.). Since 1991, Dr. Neustadt has been on the clinical faculty of the University of South Florida, College of Medicine, and in 2011 was promoted to full Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery as well as Clinical Professor of Pediatrics. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at All Children's Hospital and previously served as the Chairman of the Department of Surgery. He received his medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine. His orthopaedic residency training was at The University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. He did a pediatric orthopaedic and scoliosis surgery fellowship at The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Before coming to St. Petersburg, Dr. Neustadt was an instructor in Orthopaedic Surgery at Georgetown University. He has been and continues to be an oral examiner for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is a fellow of the Scoliosis Research Society and is currently conducting research projects in scoliosis surgery.
Peter Newton, MD (Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego). Dr. Newton has been a pediatric orthopedic surgeon for more than 25 years. He practices at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, where he is also the chief of orthopedic research. He is also an associate clinical professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at the University of California San Diego. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas and completed an internship and residency at the University of California San Diego. He completed a fellowship at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Dr. Newton is a member of many societies, including the American Medical Association, California Medical Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics and Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons.
W. Jerry Oakes, MD (Children's Hospital of Alabama, Birmingham). Dr. Oakes is chief of pediatric neurosurgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and surgeon-in-chief of the Children's Hospital of Alabama. His interests include the surgical management of spasticity, occult and open spinal dysraphism and Chiari malformations. He is a pediatric neurosurgeon and treats neurological oncology, trauma, critical care and vascular neurosurgery. He received his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C., where he also completed an internship. He completed residencies at Duke and Toronto General Hospital for Sick Children.
B. Stephens Richards, MD (Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas). Dr. Richards is the president of the Scoliosis Research Society. He also serves as the assistant chief of staff and medical director of inpatient services at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Richards is on the editorial board of the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics and serves as a reviewer for Spine. He is a member of the North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. He previously served as president of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. Dr. Richards earned his medical degree at the St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Amer Samdani, MD (Shriners Hospital for Children, Philadelphia). Dr. Samdani is chief of surgery and former director of spine surgery and medical director of Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. He has a special interest in pediatric spine care, including deformity and spinal cord injury. During his career, Dr. Samdani has given spine-related presentations, including at the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies' Spine Committee bi-annual conference. Dr. Samdani earned his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, where he also completed his residency. His additional training includes a fellowship at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Harry L. Shufflebarger, MD (Miami Children's Hospital). Dr. Shufflebarger is the director of the division of pediatric spine surgery at Miami Children's Hospital. He previously served as a professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine. During his career, Dr. Shufflebarger has authored several publications on topics such as spinal deformity and spine degeneration and chaired several scientific courses focused on these topics around the world. He is a member of many professional organizations, including the North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Academy of Pediatrics. He has also served as president of the Scoliosis Research Society. Dr. Shufflebarger earned his medical degree at Emory University in Atlanta, where he also completed his residency.
David Skaggs, MD (Children's Hospital Los Angeles). Dr. Skaggs is the endowed chair of pediatric spinal disorders and director of the Children's Orthopedic Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Throughout his career, he has published more than 80 papers and delivered in excess of 500 lectures in his subspecialty. He has also spent time working on minimally invasive techniques for surgery and developing the next generation of spinal implants to work with those procedures. The implants he is working on for the future are in contrast to the traditional fusion because they will straighten the spine while permitting motion between segments. Dr. Skaggs earned his medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, both in New York City. His additional training includes fellowships in orthopedic research at Columbia and in pediatric orthopedic surgery at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
John T. Smith, MD (Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City). Dr. Smith is a professor in the department of orthopedics at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, and he practices at Primary Children's Medical Center. He is the director of the pediatric scoliosis clinic. His practice is focused on the treatment of spine deformities in children and adolescents. He received his medical degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He then completed his residency at the University of Utah and did a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics and spinal deformities at Scottish Rites Hospital in Atlanta. Dr. Smith is an active researcher, and his interests focus on pediatric spine disorders, fractures and cost-effective care. He has been involved in the development of the Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib and its use in children with neuromuscular scoliosis.
Peter Stasikelis, MD (Shrines Hospital for Children—Greenville, S.C.). Dr. Stasikelis is the chief of staff for Shriners Hospital for Children—Greenville, where he has been the backbone of the spine program for more than 14 years. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and Scoliosis Research Society. Dr. Stasikelis has a special interest in treating patients with spine conditions, limb deformities and neuromuscular disease. He earned his medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Stasikelis' additional training includes a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics and spine deformity at Shriners Hospital for Children—Greenville.
John Theometz, MD (Medical College of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa). Dr. Theometz is board certified in orthopedic surgery with a special interest in pediatric orthopedic surgery. He is a professor of orthopedic surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin, medical director of the pediatric division and chief of pediatric orthopedics at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. He subspecializes in spine-related pediatric orthopedics and has an interest in pediatric hip and foot deformities, particularly congenital clubfoot. Dr. Theometz is involved in research on surgically correcting scoliosis without spinal fusion and has done work on conservative care of deformities. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where he also served his residency in orthopedic surgery. He completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics at the Children's Hospital of Boston. He's a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, Scoliosis Research Society and Wisconsin Orthopaedic Society.
Michael G. Vitale, MD (New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital , New York City). Dr. Vitale is the chief of the pediatric spine and scoliosis service at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital a professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at Columbia University. He has a special interest in pediatric spine surgery, scoliosis and lumbar spine problems, focusing on early onset scoliosis and the use of vertical expandable titanium rod devices. In addition to his clinical work, he leads a clinical research team and is a member of the Spine Deformity Study Group. Dr. Vitale earned his medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City and completed his residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. His additional training includes a fellowship at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.
W. Timothy Ward, MD (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh). Dr. Ward is chief of the division of pediatric orthopedic surgery and a professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he is also executive vice chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with research interests in outcomes research, spinal cord injury, spinal deformity and congenital hip disease. His clinical specialties are pediatric scoliosis and related spinal disorders. Dr. Ward received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He completed a residency at Duke University Medical Center. He completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics and scoliosis surgery at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas. He's a member of societies including the North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American and more.
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8 Steps for Spine Surgeon Leaders to Make Hospital Partnerships Work