Here is a list of 11 spine surgeons and specialists who are currently leading professional societies.
Bradford Currier, MD (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.). Dr. Currier is the president of the Lumber Spine Research Society and an orthopedic spine surgeon at Mayo Clinic. His research has been published in several professional journals, including Spine and Journal of Neurosurgical Spine Surgery. His current research interests involve tissue engineering strategies for spinal issues, particularly involving metastatic and primary spinal tumors. Dr. Currier earned his medical degree at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and completed his residency at Mayo Clinic. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of Miami.
Sanford E. Emery, MD (West Virginia University, Morgantown). Dr. Emery is the president of the Cervical Spine Research Society. At West Virginia University, he is a professor of orthopedics and chairman of the department of orthopedics. His additional memberships include the North American Spine Society, American Spinal Injury Association and American Orthopaedic Association. In addition to his clinical practice, he is a reviewer for the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques and Spine. Dr. Emery earned his medical degree at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C., and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Strong Memorial Hospital at Rochester, N.Y. His additional training includes a spine fellowship at Western Reserve University Hospitals in Cleveland.
Michael H. Heggeness, MD (BaylorClinic Orthopedic Surgery, Houston). Dr. Heggeness is the president of the North American Spine Society and director of the spine surgery fellowship program at Baylor College of Medicine. He has a professional interest in cervical spine reconstruction and treatment of inflammatory arthroplasties. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Heggeness has been active in research and published several articles on the anatomy and biomechanics of the spine. He has also been involved with the development of new techniques for bone tissue engineering. Dr. Heggeness earned his medical degree at the University of Miami School of Medicine and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Toronto General Hospital in Ontario, Canada.
Jean-Charles LeHuec, MD (Bordeaux University Hospital, France). Dr. Le Huec is the chairman of the spine unit and orthopedic department at Bordeaux University Hospital. He also serves as director of the laboratory of surgical research at Bordeaux University School of Medicine and president of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery. He is a board member of the Spine Society of Europe and World Spine Society. He also maintains membership with the North American Spine Society. Dr. Le Huec's researchfocuses on spinal pathologies, biomaterials and computer-assisted surgery. He has earned degrees in human biology with an emphasis in anatomy and the biology of sports medicine.
Paul C. McCormick, MD (Columbia University, New York City). Dr. McCormick is the president of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and vice director and vice chair of the American Board of Neurosurgical Surgery. He is also the medical director of the Columbia Presbyterian Spine Center. He has a professional interest in evaluating and managing spine and spinal cord disorders, especially when they pertain to spinal tumors and vascular malformations. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. McCormick has focused on research and served on the editorial boards of five neurosurgery journals. Dr. McCormick earned his medical degree at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University and completed his residency training at the Neurological Institute of New York. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Pierce D. Nunley, MD (Spine Institute of Louisiana, Shreveport). Dr. Nunley is the chairman of the American Board of Spine Surgery and director of the Spine Institute of Louisiana. He also serves as an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. During his career, Dr. Nunley has published articles in several professional journals and presented his papers internationally. He is a member of the North American Spine Society and sits on the board of the American College of Spine Surgery as well as the Spine Institute of Louisiana Foundation. Dr. Nunley earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas Medical College and completed his residency at LSU Health Sciences Center. His additional training includes spine fellowships at the University of Basel in Switzerland and at the Dallas Spine Group.
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 North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Spine 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.
A. Nick Shamie, MD (UCLA Health System). Dr. Shamie is the president of the American College of Spine Surgery. He is also the co-director of the UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center. In his practice, Dr. Shamie focuses on bone protein implants, cervical spine surgery and metabolic bone disease. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Shamie focuses on researching spine-related topics. He has authored articles published in the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques and earned the UCI School of Medicine Excellence in Research recognition. Dr. Shamie earned his medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at St. Mary's Medical Center. His additional training includes fellowships in spine surgery and bone research at UCLA School of Medicine.
William Taylor, MD (UC San Diego Health System). Dr. Taylor is the president of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. He is a clinical professor of surgery in the division of neurological surgery with the UC San Diego Health System. He has a professional interest in endoscopic spine surgery, craniotomy and treatment for carotid stenosis. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Taylor is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Taylor earned his medical degree at UCLA School of Medicine and completed his residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City.
Lawrence Vogel, MD (Chicago Shriners Hospital for Children). Dr. Vogel is the president of the American Spinal Injury Association. He is the chief of pediatrics, medical director of the spinal cord injury program and assistant chief of staff at the Chicago Shriners Hospitals for Children. He is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and past president of the Chicago Pediatric Society. During his career, Dr. Vogel has devoted his time to patients with spinal cord injuries. He has also published several articles in peer-review journals and given presentations at several professional meetings. He earned his medical degree at the University of Illinois and completed his residency at Yale-New Haven (Conn.) Hospital. His additional training includes a fellowship in pediatric infectious disease at Michael Reese Hospital and the University of Chicago.
Christopher E. Wolfla, MD (Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee). Dr. Wolfla is the president of the Congress of Neurological Surgery and an associate professor at Medical College of Wisconsin. He also serves on the executive committee for the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves. He has a professional interest in performing minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal fusion and treating spinal instability. Previously, Dr. Wolfla was the chair of neurosurgery at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. Dr. Wolfla earned his medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and completed his neurological surgery residency at the Indiana University Medical Center. His additional training includes a spine surgery fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
If you would like to recommend a spine surgeon leader or practice to highlight in future weekly lists, please e-mail Laura at laura@beckersasc.com.
Related Articles on Spine Surgeons:
10 Spine Practices With Research Organizations
10 Spine and Neurosurgeons Who Served for Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts
10 Spine Surgeon Investigators for Artificial Discs
Bradford Currier, MD (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.). Dr. Currier is the president of the Lumber Spine Research Society and an orthopedic spine surgeon at Mayo Clinic. His research has been published in several professional journals, including Spine and Journal of Neurosurgical Spine Surgery. His current research interests involve tissue engineering strategies for spinal issues, particularly involving metastatic and primary spinal tumors. Dr. Currier earned his medical degree at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and completed his residency at Mayo Clinic. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of Miami.
Sanford E. Emery, MD (West Virginia University, Morgantown). Dr. Emery is the president of the Cervical Spine Research Society. At West Virginia University, he is a professor of orthopedics and chairman of the department of orthopedics. His additional memberships include the North American Spine Society, American Spinal Injury Association and American Orthopaedic Association. In addition to his clinical practice, he is a reviewer for the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques and Spine. Dr. Emery earned his medical degree at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C., and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Strong Memorial Hospital at Rochester, N.Y. His additional training includes a spine fellowship at Western Reserve University Hospitals in Cleveland.
Michael H. Heggeness, MD (BaylorClinic Orthopedic Surgery, Houston). Dr. Heggeness is the president of the North American Spine Society and director of the spine surgery fellowship program at Baylor College of Medicine. He has a professional interest in cervical spine reconstruction and treatment of inflammatory arthroplasties. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Heggeness has been active in research and published several articles on the anatomy and biomechanics of the spine. He has also been involved with the development of new techniques for bone tissue engineering. Dr. Heggeness earned his medical degree at the University of Miami School of Medicine and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Toronto General Hospital in Ontario, Canada.
Jean-Charles LeHuec, MD (Bordeaux University Hospital, France). Dr. Le Huec is the chairman of the spine unit and orthopedic department at Bordeaux University Hospital. He also serves as director of the laboratory of surgical research at Bordeaux University School of Medicine and president of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery. He is a board member of the Spine Society of Europe and World Spine Society. He also maintains membership with the North American Spine Society. Dr. Le Huec's researchfocuses on spinal pathologies, biomaterials and computer-assisted surgery. He has earned degrees in human biology with an emphasis in anatomy and the biology of sports medicine.
Paul C. McCormick, MD (Columbia University, New York City). Dr. McCormick is the president of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and vice director and vice chair of the American Board of Neurosurgical Surgery. He is also the medical director of the Columbia Presbyterian Spine Center. He has a professional interest in evaluating and managing spine and spinal cord disorders, especially when they pertain to spinal tumors and vascular malformations. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. McCormick has focused on research and served on the editorial boards of five neurosurgery journals. Dr. McCormick earned his medical degree at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University and completed his residency training at the Neurological Institute of New York. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Pierce D. Nunley, MD (Spine Institute of Louisiana, Shreveport). Dr. Nunley is the chairman of the American Board of Spine Surgery and director of the Spine Institute of Louisiana. He also serves as an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. During his career, Dr. Nunley has published articles in several professional journals and presented his papers internationally. He is a member of the North American Spine Society and sits on the board of the American College of Spine Surgery as well as the Spine Institute of Louisiana Foundation. Dr. Nunley earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas Medical College and completed his residency at LSU Health Sciences Center. His additional training includes spine fellowships at the University of Basel in Switzerland and at the Dallas Spine Group.
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 North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Spine 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.
A. Nick Shamie, MD (UCLA Health System). Dr. Shamie is the president of the American College of Spine Surgery. He is also the co-director of the UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center. In his practice, Dr. Shamie focuses on bone protein implants, cervical spine surgery and metabolic bone disease. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Shamie focuses on researching spine-related topics. He has authored articles published in the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques and earned the UCI School of Medicine Excellence in Research recognition. Dr. Shamie earned his medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at St. Mary's Medical Center. His additional training includes fellowships in spine surgery and bone research at UCLA School of Medicine.
William Taylor, MD (UC San Diego Health System). Dr. Taylor is the president of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. He is a clinical professor of surgery in the division of neurological surgery with the UC San Diego Health System. He has a professional interest in endoscopic spine surgery, craniotomy and treatment for carotid stenosis. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Taylor is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Taylor earned his medical degree at UCLA School of Medicine and completed his residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City.
Lawrence Vogel, MD (Chicago Shriners Hospital for Children). Dr. Vogel is the president of the American Spinal Injury Association. He is the chief of pediatrics, medical director of the spinal cord injury program and assistant chief of staff at the Chicago Shriners Hospitals for Children. He is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and past president of the Chicago Pediatric Society. During his career, Dr. Vogel has devoted his time to patients with spinal cord injuries. He has also published several articles in peer-review journals and given presentations at several professional meetings. He earned his medical degree at the University of Illinois and completed his residency at Yale-New Haven (Conn.) Hospital. His additional training includes a fellowship in pediatric infectious disease at Michael Reese Hospital and the University of Chicago.
Christopher E. Wolfla, MD (Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee). Dr. Wolfla is the president of the Congress of Neurological Surgery and an associate professor at Medical College of Wisconsin. He also serves on the executive committee for the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves. He has a professional interest in performing minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal fusion and treating spinal instability. Previously, Dr. Wolfla was the chair of neurosurgery at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. Dr. Wolfla earned his medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and completed his neurological surgery residency at the Indiana University Medical Center. His additional training includes a spine surgery fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
If you would like to recommend a spine surgeon leader or practice to highlight in future weekly lists, please e-mail Laura at laura@beckersasc.com.
Related Articles on Spine Surgeons:
10 Spine Practices With Research Organizations
10 Spine and Neurosurgeons Who Served for Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts
10 Spine Surgeon Investigators for Artificial Discs