20 Surgeon Leaders in Independent Spine & Neurosurgical Groups

Spine

Here are 20 spine surgeons and specialists who are leaders with spine practices.
Robert J. Banco, MD (The Boston Spine Group).
Dr. Banco is president of The Boston Spine Group and an associate clinical professor in the orthopedic surgery department at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. During his career, he has authored more than 150 publications and taken part in 12 FDA IDE studies. He has received more than $1 million in grants for his medical research, which has focused on the outcomes for spinal fusion, bone morphogenic protein and bone graft substitute as well as image guided surgery.  Dr. Banco is a member of the North American Spine Society, Society of Lateral Access Surgery and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Banco earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and completed his residency at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. His additional training includes a spine fellowship at New England Baptist Hospital, where he previously spent 10 years as spine section chief.

Miroslav P. Bobek, MD (Southern Oregon Neurosurgical & Spine Associates, Medford).
Dr. Bobek is a neurological and spine surgeon at Southern Oregon Neurosurgical & Spine Associates. He has helped to plan and participated in three missions for Project Shunt, an annual charitable medical mission to Guatemala founded by neurosurgical residents at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Dr. Bobek has authored and co-authored six articles and book chapters. He has clinical privileges at Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford, Ore., and Providence Medford (Ore.) Medical Center. Dr. Bobek received his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He completed his residency at the University of Michigan Medical Center.

Dennis Crandall, MD (Sonoran Spine Center, Mesa, Ariz.). Dr. Crandall is the founder and medical director of Sonoran Spine Center as well as on the faculty for the Banner Orthopedic Surgery Residency program. He also serves as an attending spine surgeon at Children's Rehabilitative Services Scoliosis Clinic at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix. During his career, Dr. Crandall has been a spine consultant for the athletes at Arizona State University. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Crandall founded the Sonoran Spine Research and Education Foundation to fund college scholarships for students with spinal deformities, spinal research projects and educational seminars. He also developed new spinal instrumentation for deformity correction. Dr. Crandall earned his medical degree at St. Louis University, where he also completed his orthopedic surgery residency. His additional training includes a fellowship at the University of Maryland in College Park.

Francis Denis, MD (Twin Cities Spine Surgeons, Minneapolis).
Dr. Denis is the president of Twin Cities Spine and a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Scoliosis Research Society and Orthopaedic Trauma Hospital Association. He has a professional interest in treating patients with deformities and trauma. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Denis has authored several publications on his research, which also focuses on deformities and trauma. He has given presentations at several professional society meetings. Dr. Denis earned his medical degree at Paris University and completed his residency training at New England Medical Center in Boston and Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. His additional training includes scoliosis fellowships at Children's Hospital in Boston and Twin Cities Scoliosis Center.

Edward J. Dohring, MD (Spine Institute of Arizona, Scottsdale).
Dr. Dohring is the medical director of Spine Institute of Arizona and treats a spectrum of spinal disorders. During his career, Dr. Dohring has participated in several research projects and pioneered an artificial disc replacement procedure. He also performs minimally invasive surgical techniques. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Dohring has published several articles and book chapters about spinal disorders and is a member of North American Spine Society and World Spine Society. He holds a residency teaching post at Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Phoenix Integrated Orthopedic Residency Program. Dr. Dohring earned his medical degree at Yale Medical School in New Haven, Conn., and completed additional spine training at the Spine Institute of New England in Burlington, VT.

Thomas J. Dowling Jr., MD (Long Island Spine Specialists, Commack, N.Y.).
Dr. Dowling is a founding partner of Long Island Spine Specialists and on the board of directors for the New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is also a member of the North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Dowling lectures nationally and internationally, and has authored articles based on his research for professional publications. Dr. Dowling earned his medical degree at Boston University and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at State University of New York at Stony Brook. His additional training includes a fellowship in neurological spine surgery at North Shore University Hospital and Toronto General Hospital/Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

E. Hunter Dyer, MD (Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, Charlotte, N.C.).
Dr. Dyer is the president of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates. He has a special interest in transsphenoidal surgery, skull based surgery and endoscopic spine surgery. During his career, he has served as chief of neurosurgery for Presbyterian Hospital and as a delegate of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons to the Council of States Neurological Studies. Dr. Dyer earned his medical degree at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. His additional training includes a fellowship in pituitary and skull base surgery at L'Hospital Foch in Paris.

Catherine Gallo, MD (NeuroSpine Institute, Eugene, Ore.).
Dr. Gallo is the board-certified neurosurgeon who established The NeuroSpine Institute, a seven-physician group dedicated to spine care. Dr. Gallo has a professional interest in minimally invasive spine surgery and spine instrumentation. She is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Association of Women Surgeons and Women in Neurosurgery. During her career, Dr. Gallo has also been appointed to the Area Trauma Advisory Board by the governor. She earned her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed her residency in neurosurgery at the University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics. Prior to forming NeuroSpine Institute, Dr. Gallo practiced at the NeuroSurgery Group.

Mark Hartman, MD (Total Spine Specialists, Huntersville, N.C.).
Dr. Hartman is a founding physician at Total Spine Specialists with a professional interest in minimally invasive spine surgery, trauma and tumor care. He is training in microendoscopic disc surgery and reconstructive spine surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and Cervical Spine Research Society. Dr. Hartman earned his medical degree at Bowman Gray School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., and completed his residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. His additional training includes a spine fellowship at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD (Texas Back Institute, Plano).
Dr. Hochschuler is co-founder of Texas Back Institute and former president of the Spine Arthroplasty Society. During his career, he has served as chairman and sat on the board of directors for SpineMark. He also founded the spine division at Veterans Administration in Dallas and served as a clinical instructor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He is a founding member of the American Board of Spinal Surgery and chairman of the Texas Back Institute Holdings Corporation. Dr. Hochschuler earned his medical degree at Harvard Medical School in Boston and completed his orthopedic residency at the University of Texas Southwestern School in Dallas. He also spent time in the United States Air Force.

John J. Knightly, MD (Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists, Neptune, N.J.).
Dr. Knightly is a surgeon with Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists and medical director of the neuro-spine team at Atlantic Health Institute. During his career, he co-founded the Concussion Center at the Atlantic Neuroscience Institute, where he currently serves as director. He is also the director of neurosurgery at Morristown Memorial Hospital. Dr. Knightly has a professional interest in complex spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery and endoscopic neurosurgery. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Knightly is a member of North American Spine Society and Joint Sections of Spine and Peripheral Nerve and Neurotrauma. He has published articles based on his research in many professional journals and lectures on spinal surgery techniques. Dr. Knightly earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark and completed his residency at Bethesda (Md.) Naval Hospital. His additional training includes time at the Shock-Trauma Center in Baltimore and a complex spine fellowship at The Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

Keith Kuhlengel, MD (Lancaster NeuroScience & Spine Associates, Lancaster, Pa.).
Dr. Kuhlengel has practiced neurosurgery at Lancaster NeuroScience & Spine Associates since 1995. He has previously served as chief of neurosurgery at Lancaster General Hospital and as president of the Pennsylvania Neurological Society. Dr. Kuhlengel is also a former assistant professor of neurosurgery and neuroscience at Penn State University College of Medicine in Hersey, Pa. He is a member of the North American Spine Society, the North American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society. Dr. Kuhlengel received his medical degree from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He completed an internship, residency and a fellowship in neurobiology of spinal cord injury at the Washington University Barnes Hospital.

Gilbert R. Meadows, MD (South Texas Spinal Clinic).
Dr. Meadows is the founder of South Texas Spinal Clinic. He is a member of the North American Spine Society and fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Meadows is the program director of the Spinal Fellowship Program at the South Texas Spinal Clinic and author of several articles published in professional journals. Dr. Meadows earned his medical degree at Tulane University in New Orleans and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Va. His additional training includes a spinal fellowship in New Orleans.

Rick Sasso, MD (Indiana Spine Group, Carmel).
Dr. Sasso is a founding member and president of Indiana Spine Group. He also serves as co-medical director of the St. Vincent Spine Center and chief of spine surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine. He has a professional interest in treating patients with spinal disorders and abnormalities and is involved in the research and development of spinal implants. He has developed techniques for minimally invasive spine surgery and instrumentation used during these procedures. Dr. Sasso is a member of North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Scoliosis Research Society. He earned his medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. His additional training includes spine surgery fellowships at Northwestern University in Chicago, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and St. Gallen in Switzerland.

Thomas Schuler, MD (Virginia Spine Institute, Reston).
Dr. Schuler founded Virginia Spine Institute in 1992 and now serves as president of the practice. He also serves as a spine consultant for the Washington Redskins and other elite athletes. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Schuler is president of the Spine Research Foundation, which seeks to improve spine healthcare throughout America. Dr. Schuler is a member of the American College of Spine Surgery, American College of Orthopaedic Surgery, North American Spine Society and Young President's Organization. Dr. Schuler earned his medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich. His additional training includes a spine surgery fellowship at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.

S. Javed Shahid, MD (Neurosurgical Associates of Southwestern CT).
Dr. Shahid traveled to the United States from his native Pakistan with $100 in his pocket and the goal of practicing neurosurgery. Now, he is a leader of Neurosurgical Associates of Southwestern CT and section chief of neurosurgery at Danbury (Conn.) Hospital. During his career, Dr. Shahid performed the first transphenoidal surgery at Norwalk Hospital and the first basilar aneurysm surgery at Danbury Hospital. His additional focus is on laser surgery, intradiscal spinal therapy and automated percutaneous discectomies. Dr. Shahid is a diplomat of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He earned his medical degree at Dow Medical College of Karachi in Pakistan and completed his residency in neurosurgery at Downstate Medical Center and Kings County Hospital in New York City.  

Paul Slosar, Jr., MD (SpineCare Medical Group, Daly City, Calif.).
Dr. Slosar is the president of SpineCare Medical Group and medical director of the Spine Care Institute of San Francisco. He also serves as assistant director of surgical fellowship and surgical research at The San Francisco Spine Institute. Dr. Slosar is on the board of directors for the American Board of Spine Surgery and an editorial board member of the Spine Research Foundation. He is a member of the North American Spine Society, Society for Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Slosar has published articles in peer-reviewed journals based on his research. Dr. Slosar earned his medical degree at Rush Medical College in Chicago and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill. His additional training includes a spine surgery fellowship at The San Francisco Spine institute/SpineCare Medical Group.

Peter F. Ullrich Jr., MD (NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin, Appleton).
Dr. Ullrich is a spine surgeon and medical director of NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin and co-founder of Spine-health.com. He has a professional interest in treating patients with traumatic spinal disorders and degenerative conditions. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Ullrich is involved in clinical research studies. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society. During his career, Dr. Ullrich has served as a spinal consultant to the Green Bay Packers and medical advisor to Orthovita. Dr. Ullrich earned his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison and completed the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program. His additional training includes a spine fellowship at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Alan T. Villavicencio, MD (Boulder Neurological Associates, Boulder, Colo.).
Dr. Villavicencio is a senior practicing partner and director of research and development for Boulder Neurosurgical Associates. He is the director of neurosurgery at Boulder (Colo.) Community and Longmont (Colo.) United Hospitals and director of surgery at The Minimally Invasive Spine Institute in Colorado, which he founded. Dr. Villavicencio has presented hundreds of abstracts at national and international neurosurgical meetings and published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Dr. Villavicencio is the founder and current program chair for the annual regional neurosurgical symposium and the Justin Parker Neurological Institute, a nonprofit organization to conduct and disseminate clinical research. Dr. Villavicencio earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in Boston. He completed a neurosurgical residency at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. He also completed a specialty orthopedic spine surgery fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Byron H. Willis, MD (Arizona Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists, Phoenix).
Dr. Willis is the president and founder of Arizona Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists. He serves as the section head of neurosurgery and chair of the division of neurosciences at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix. He also sits on the trauma, surgery and OR committees. Dr. Willis received his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He completed his neurosurgery residency training at the Cleveland Clinic with special training in complex spinal disorders. Dr. Willis also received additional training in the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders and intracranial tumors during a fellowship at Derriford Hospital in England.

More Articles on Spine Surgery:

10 Spine Surgeons & Specialists Engaging in Spinal Biologics Research and Development

20 Spine & Neurosurgeon Inventors to Know

10 Spine Surgeons & Specialists Focusing on Ethics


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