Here are 10 great spine surgeons and specialists at physician-owned hospitals around the country.
Jim Adametz, MD (Arkansas Surgical Hospital, North Little Rock). Dr. Adametz has a professional interest in lumbar, cervical and minimally invasive spine surgery. He is a neurosurgeon with a special interest in treating patients with spinal problems. He performs fusion procedures, kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty and disc surgery. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Adametz is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and American Medical Society. He has been voted among America's top neurosurgeons by the American Consumer Research Society. Beyond his neurosurgical work, Dr. Adametz is trained and certified in age management medicine by Cenegenics Medical Institute. He earned his medical degree at the University of Arkansas Medical School, where he also completed his internship and residency in neurological surgery.
Alexander Bailey, MD (Heartland Surgical Hospital, Overland Park, Kan.). Dr. Bailey is a spine surgeon at Heartland Surgical Hospital and Advanced Spine and Orthopaedic Specialists. He has a special interest in complex spine surgery. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Bailey is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society. He is also affiliated with Phoenix Surgical Technologies, which develops spinal instrumentation. Throughout his career, he has assisted in product improvement and development of spinal technology and has knowledge of FDA and IDE studies. He earned his medical degree at Medical College of Ohio in Toledo and completed additional training in orthopedics at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City. He also completed a fellowship in adult spine surgery at Heartland Hand & Spine in Shawnee Mission, Kan.
Gregory D. Carlson, MD (Hoag Orthopedic Institute, Irvine, Calif.). Dr. Carlson is an orthopedic spine surgeon at Hoag Orthopedic Institute and a general partner of Orthopaedic Specialty Institute of Orange County. He previously served as head of spine surgery at the University of California in Irvine. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Carlson has lectured extensively on spinal reconstructive surgery and has completed award-winning basic spine research projects. He is a member of the North American Spine Society, Cervical Research Society and American Spinal Injury Association. He is also on the board of the Western Orthopaedic Association. During his career, Dr. Carlson has served on the editorial advisory board for Spine and as a reviewer for several additional journals. He earned his medical degree at Loma Linda (Calif.) University and completed his residency and spine fellowship at the University of California in San Diego. His additional training includes a second spine fellowship at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
John Dietz, Jr., MD (Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital, Indianapolis). Dr. Dietz is a spine surgeon with OrthoIndy and the practice's hospital, Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital. He serves as secretary of the Board of Directors of OrthoIndy and is a fellow of the Scoliosis Research Society. His additional affiliations include the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Dietz is an inventor and holds multiple patents on surgical instrumentation used during endoscopic spine surgery. He has published several articles in professional medical journals and presented on his research at national meetings. Dr. Dietz earned his medical degree at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C., and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Swedish Hospital Medical Center in Seattle.
Guy O. Danielson, III, MD (Texas Spine & Joint Hospital, Tyler). Dr. Danielson is a neurological spine surgeon at Texas Spine & Joint Hospital. He previously served as chief of neurological surgery at Mother Frances Hospital and East Texas Medical Center, both in Tyler, and on the Advisory Board for Texas Back Institute and Biomedical Research. During his career, he has also been the medical director for Spine Care Associates and president of NeuroCare Network. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Danielson has focused on research and was the principle investigator for a study of ProDisc artificial disc replacement. He was also a principle investigator for studies with Medtronic and Stryker regarding spinal devices and technology. Dr. Danielson is a member of North American Spine Society and Congress of Neurological Surgeons, among others. He earned his medical degree at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine in Oklahoma City, where he also completed his residency.
Gregory B. Lanford, MD (The Center for Spine Surgery, Nashville, Tenn.). Dr. Lanford is a neurosurgeon at The Center for Spine Surgery and president and managing partner of the Howell Allen Clinic. During his career, he has been affiliated with of several professional associations, including president of the Tennessee Neurological Society and served as a CSNS Tennessee State Delegate to Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He has also served as president of the board at St. Thomas Outpatient Neurosurgery Center. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Lanford has focused on research and served as a sub-investigator in several clinical trials. The clinical trials have recently focused on fusion in the lumbar and cervical spine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and completed his residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Kris Lewonowski, MD (Kansas Spine Hospital, Wichita). Dr. Lewonowski is a spine surgeon at Kansas Spine Hospital. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Lewonowski is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society. He is also affiliated with the Swiss AO Foundation, Arthritis Foundation and American Heart Association. He earned his medical degree at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the university of Southern California Medical Center in Los Angeles. His additional training includes spine fellowships at Queen's Medical Center in Hawaii and The London Clinic. He has additional training in orthopedic surgery at the Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center in Downey, Calif., and arthritis joint implant surgery at USC Medical Center.
E. Alexander L'Heureux Jr., MD (Oklahoma Spine Hospital, Edmond). Dr. L'Heureux is a spine surgeon at Oklahoma Spine Hospital and a member of several professional organizations, including American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and Scoliosis Research Society. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. L'Heureux has conducted research on topics such as congenital scoliosis and bone growth. He is also a member of the international teaching faculty of Interpore Cross International. Dr. L'Heureux earned his medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at New York Medical College in Valhalla. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Minnesota Spine Center in Minneapolis.
Gilbert R. Meadows, MD (South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital, San Antonio). Dr. Meadows is a spine surgeon at South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and founder of his practice, South Texas Spinal Clinic. He is a member of the Texas Medical Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society. Throughout his career, he has had an interest in medical education and currently serves as the program director of the spinal fellowship at South Texas Spinal Clinic. He previously served as a clinical assistant professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He has also published numerous articles and delivered lectures based on his research on spine-related topics. Dr. Meadows earned his medical degree from 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 fellowship in spine surgery in New Orleans.
Frank J. Tomecek, MD (Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital, Tulsa, Okla.). Dr. Tomecek has served as the chairman of neurology, neurosurgery, physical medicine, rehabilitation and pain management at Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital. He has a professional interest in micro-endoscopic lumbar laminectomy for spinal stenosis, microsurgery for lumbar disc disease, pediatric scoliosis and lumbar artificial disc replacement. During his career, Dr. Tomecek has served as president-elect of the Tulsa Neurosciences Society and a member of the steering committee for the Brain Injury Association of Oklahoma. He was also a lead investigator on an FDA study of prospective clinical outcomes comparing posterior lumbar interbody fusion grafting techniques of recombinant bone morphogenic protein and autograft. Dr. Tomecek earned his medical degree at Indiana University and completed his neurosurgical residency at Henry Ford University in Detroit. His additional training includes a fellowship at the University of Louisville (Ky.) Hospital in neurological surgery.
This list highlights 10 spine and neurosurgeons who are involved in complex spinal deformity correction surgery and research. This is not a list of "top" surgeons in the field and inclusion on this list is not an endorsement of any individual's or organization's clinical abilities.
If you would like to recommend a spine surgeon leader to highlight in future weekly lists, please e-mail Laura at laura@beckersasc.com.
Related Articles on Spine Surgeons:
10 Spine and Neurosurgeon Leaders in Complex Spinal Deformity
10 Spine and Neurosurgeon Leaders at Non-Profit Hospitals
10 Spine Surgeons Working With Stem Cells
Alexander Bailey, MD (Heartland Surgical Hospital, Overland Park, Kan.). Dr. Bailey is a spine surgeon at Heartland Surgical Hospital and Advanced Spine and Orthopaedic Specialists. He has a special interest in complex spine surgery. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Bailey is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society. He is also affiliated with Phoenix Surgical Technologies, which develops spinal instrumentation. Throughout his career, he has assisted in product improvement and development of spinal technology and has knowledge of FDA and IDE studies. He earned his medical degree at Medical College of Ohio in Toledo and completed additional training in orthopedics at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City. He also completed a fellowship in adult spine surgery at Heartland Hand & Spine in Shawnee Mission, Kan.
Gregory D. Carlson, MD (Hoag Orthopedic Institute, Irvine, Calif.). Dr. Carlson is an orthopedic spine surgeon at Hoag Orthopedic Institute and a general partner of Orthopaedic Specialty Institute of Orange County. He previously served as head of spine surgery at the University of California in Irvine. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Carlson has lectured extensively on spinal reconstructive surgery and has completed award-winning basic spine research projects. He is a member of the North American Spine Society, Cervical Research Society and American Spinal Injury Association. He is also on the board of the Western Orthopaedic Association. During his career, Dr. Carlson has served on the editorial advisory board for Spine and as a reviewer for several additional journals. He earned his medical degree at Loma Linda (Calif.) University and completed his residency and spine fellowship at the University of California in San Diego. His additional training includes a second spine fellowship at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
John Dietz, Jr., MD (Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital, Indianapolis). Dr. Dietz is a spine surgeon with OrthoIndy and the practice's hospital, Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital. He serves as secretary of the Board of Directors of OrthoIndy and is a fellow of the Scoliosis Research Society. His additional affiliations include the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Dietz is an inventor and holds multiple patents on surgical instrumentation used during endoscopic spine surgery. He has published several articles in professional medical journals and presented on his research at national meetings. Dr. Dietz earned his medical degree at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C., and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Swedish Hospital Medical Center in Seattle.
Guy O. Danielson, III, MD (Texas Spine & Joint Hospital, Tyler). Dr. Danielson is a neurological spine surgeon at Texas Spine & Joint Hospital. He previously served as chief of neurological surgery at Mother Frances Hospital and East Texas Medical Center, both in Tyler, and on the Advisory Board for Texas Back Institute and Biomedical Research. During his career, he has also been the medical director for Spine Care Associates and president of NeuroCare Network. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Danielson has focused on research and was the principle investigator for a study of ProDisc artificial disc replacement. He was also a principle investigator for studies with Medtronic and Stryker regarding spinal devices and technology. Dr. Danielson is a member of North American Spine Society and Congress of Neurological Surgeons, among others. He earned his medical degree at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine in Oklahoma City, where he also completed his residency.
Gregory B. Lanford, MD (The Center for Spine Surgery, Nashville, Tenn.). Dr. Lanford is a neurosurgeon at The Center for Spine Surgery and president and managing partner of the Howell Allen Clinic. During his career, he has been affiliated with of several professional associations, including president of the Tennessee Neurological Society and served as a CSNS Tennessee State Delegate to Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He has also served as president of the board at St. Thomas Outpatient Neurosurgery Center. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Lanford has focused on research and served as a sub-investigator in several clinical trials. The clinical trials have recently focused on fusion in the lumbar and cervical spine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and completed his residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Kris Lewonowski, MD (Kansas Spine Hospital, Wichita). Dr. Lewonowski is a spine surgeon at Kansas Spine Hospital. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Lewonowski is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society. He is also affiliated with the Swiss AO Foundation, Arthritis Foundation and American Heart Association. He earned his medical degree at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the university of Southern California Medical Center in Los Angeles. His additional training includes spine fellowships at Queen's Medical Center in Hawaii and The London Clinic. He has additional training in orthopedic surgery at the Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center in Downey, Calif., and arthritis joint implant surgery at USC Medical Center.
E. Alexander L'Heureux Jr., MD (Oklahoma Spine Hospital, Edmond). Dr. L'Heureux is a spine surgeon at Oklahoma Spine Hospital and a member of several professional organizations, including American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and Scoliosis Research Society. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. L'Heureux has conducted research on topics such as congenital scoliosis and bone growth. He is also a member of the international teaching faculty of Interpore Cross International. Dr. L'Heureux earned his medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at New York Medical College in Valhalla. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Minnesota Spine Center in Minneapolis.
Gilbert R. Meadows, MD (South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital, San Antonio). Dr. Meadows is a spine surgeon at South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and founder of his practice, South Texas Spinal Clinic. He is a member of the Texas Medical Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society. Throughout his career, he has had an interest in medical education and currently serves as the program director of the spinal fellowship at South Texas Spinal Clinic. He previously served as a clinical assistant professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He has also published numerous articles and delivered lectures based on his research on spine-related topics. Dr. Meadows earned his medical degree from 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 fellowship in spine surgery in New Orleans.
Frank J. Tomecek, MD (Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital, Tulsa, Okla.). Dr. Tomecek has served as the chairman of neurology, neurosurgery, physical medicine, rehabilitation and pain management at Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital. He has a professional interest in micro-endoscopic lumbar laminectomy for spinal stenosis, microsurgery for lumbar disc disease, pediatric scoliosis and lumbar artificial disc replacement. During his career, Dr. Tomecek has served as president-elect of the Tulsa Neurosciences Society and a member of the steering committee for the Brain Injury Association of Oklahoma. He was also a lead investigator on an FDA study of prospective clinical outcomes comparing posterior lumbar interbody fusion grafting techniques of recombinant bone morphogenic protein and autograft. Dr. Tomecek earned his medical degree at Indiana University and completed his neurosurgical residency at Henry Ford University in Detroit. His additional training includes a fellowship at the University of Louisville (Ky.) Hospital in neurological surgery.
This list highlights 10 spine and neurosurgeons who are involved in complex spinal deformity correction surgery and research. This is not a list of "top" surgeons in the field and inclusion on this list is not an endorsement of any individual's or organization's clinical abilities.
If you would like to recommend a spine surgeon leader to highlight in future weekly lists, please e-mail Laura at laura@beckersasc.com.
Related Articles on Spine Surgeons:
10 Spine and Neurosurgeon Leaders in Complex Spinal Deformity
10 Spine and Neurosurgeon Leaders at Non-Profit Hospitals
10 Spine Surgeons Working With Stem Cells