Advances in endoscopic surgery, robotics, motion preservation and complex reconstruction are expanding what is possible in spine care. Surgeons across the country are helping drive that progress while advancing research, refining surgical techniques and educating the next generation.
The following 20 spine surgeons are making an impact on the field through clinical innovation, research and leadership.
Editor’s note: This is not a comprehensive or ranked list. Becker’s does not endorse any individual featured. To nominate a physician for a future list, please contact Sophie Eydis at seydis@beckershealthcare.com.
- Tan Chen, MD. Inova Health (Falls Church, Va): Dr. Chen is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in minimally invasive and outpatient spine surgery, complex reconstruction, revision procedures and enhanced recovery. His research interests include motion preservation, arthroplasty, perioperative optimization and advanced minimally invasive techniques.
Dr. Chen has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and delivered over 125 presentations at national and international conferences. A dedicated educator and mentor, he was also named a 2026 North American Spine Society Top 20 Under 40 honoree for his contributions to the field.
- Ben Burch, MD. Atlanta Spine Institute: Dr. Burch is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in surgical and nonsurgical care for adults and adolescents. His practice focuses on minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery for conditions including disc herniations, spinal stenosis, degenerative disease, deformity, tumors and traumatic injuries.
Dr. Burch has particular expertise in uniportal and biportal endoscopic spine surgery, allowing him to tailor minimally invasive approaches to individual patients. He is also active in research and surgeon education, regularly training other spine surgeons in advanced endoscopic techniques.
- Dean Chou, MD. Columbia University Irving Medical Center (New York City): Dr. Chou is chief of the Spine Division and vice chair of neurosurgery at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He specializes in scoliosis, complex spinal deformity, spinal tumors and degenerative spine conditions, using both minimally invasive techniques and traditional open surgery.
Dr. Chou has pioneered minimally invasive approaches for complex spine conditions and has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed publications. He serves on several journal editorial boards and holds leadership roles with national spine organizations, including the Lumbar Spine Research Society and AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves.
- Jonathan Grauer, MD. Yale Medicine (New Haven, Conn.): Dr. Grauer is director of the Orthopaedic Spine Service and a professor of orthopedics and rehabilitation at Yale School of Medicine. He specializes in cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine conditions, including degenerative disorders, scoliosis, trauma, infections and tumors.
Dr. Grauer also serves as associate vice chair of research for Yale’s Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, with a focus on clinical outcomes research. Nationally, he is active in spine societies and serves as editor-in-chief of the North American Spine Society Journal.
- Roger Härtl, MD. Weill Cornell Medicine (New York City): Dr. Härtl is director of spinal surgery at the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center and co-director of NewYork-Presbyterian Och Spine. He specializes in complex spine surgery for degenerative conditions, tumors and trauma and is a pioneer in minimally invasive spine surgery and computer-assisted navigation.
Dr. Härtl has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, with research spanning biological disc repair and regeneration, augmented reality and navigation in spine surgery. He also leads Weill Cornell Medicine’s Global Neurosurgery Initiative in Tanzania and was named the American Association of Neurological Surgeons’ 2022 Humanitarian of the Year.
- Chelsea Hendow, MD. Golden State Orthopedics & Spine (Walnut Creek, Calif.): Dr. Hendow is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in traumatic and degenerative conditions of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. She treats spinal stenosis, disc herniations, deformity, tumors, infections and other complex conditions using nonoperative care, minimally invasive techniques, robotic surgery and traditional approaches.
Dr. Hendow emphasizes shared decision-making and individualized treatment plans based on each patient’s goals. Her practice combines advanced surgical technology with a comprehensive approach designed to restore function and help patients return to their daily activities.
- Deeptee Jain, MD. The Center for Bone and Joint Surgery of The Palm Beaches (Wellington, Fla.): Dr. Jain is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in degenerative and complex cervical and lumbar spine disorders. She uses minimally invasive and traditional techniques to treat conditions including spinal stenosis, herniated discs, spondylolisthesis and vertebral compression fractures.
Dr. Jain is also active in spine research, education and professional advocacy. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and serves as a reviewer for The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, contributing to the advancement of evidence-based spine care.
- Ehsan Jazini, MD. Virginia Spine Institute (Reston, Va.): Dr. Jazini is a spine surgeon specializing in motion preservation, disc replacement and advanced technology-assisted spine surgery. He has performed more than 1,000 disc replacements and has achieved several surgical milestones, including becoming the first East Coast spine surgeon to combine two-level lumbar disc replacement with the TOPS system.
Dr. Jazini also incorporates robotics, augmented reality and artificial intelligence into complex spine procedures and has helped develop enhanced recovery protocols aimed at accelerating postoperative recovery. He is active in spine research and surgeon education, particularly around disc replacement and emerging surgical technologies.
- Khaled Kebaish, MD. Johns Hopkins Medicine (Baltimore): Dr. Kebaish is chief of the spine division and a professor of orthopedic surgery and neurological surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He specializes in complex spinal deformity and scoliosis, degenerative spine disorders, spinal tumors and disc arthroplasty.
Dr. Kebaish’s research focuses on clinical and functional outcomes in adult spinal deformity surgery, spine biomechanics and the evaluation of fixation techniques. His work has also explored motion-preserving approaches and strategies to improve outcomes for patients undergoing complex spine reconstruction.
- Han Jo Kim, MD. Hospital for Special Surgery (New York City): Dr. Kim is director of the Complex Spine and Scoliosis Center and a professor of orthopedic surgery at HSS. He specializes in adult and pediatric spinal deformity, scoliosis and complex cervical spine surgery, including motion-preserving procedures such as disc replacement and laminoplasty.
Dr. Kim has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed articles and 65 book chapters and serves on the Scoliosis Research Society board of directors. His research spans spinal deformity, cervical spine disorders and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to develop more personalized treatment strategies and improve outcomes.
- Jeff Lehmen, MD. SSM Health Spine Surgery Center (Jefferson City, Mo.): Dr. Lehmen is medical director of the SSM Health Spine Surgery Center and chief of surgery at SSM Health. He specializes in degenerative spine conditions, tumors, trauma, infections and congenital disorders, with expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery and advanced lumbar procedures.
Dr. Lehmen completed a combined neurosurgical and orthopedic spine fellowship at Boston-based Harvard Medical School and additional minimally invasive spine training in São Paulo, Brazil. His research interests include minimally invasive techniques and anterolateral approaches to the lumbar spine, and he has presented his work nationally and internationally.
- Shaina Lipa, MD. Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston): Dr. Lipa is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in adult cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine disorders, including degenerative disease, spinal deformity, trauma and tumors. She uses minimally invasive surgery, navigation and robotics as well as traditional open techniques to treat complex spine conditions.
Dr. Lipa is also active in research, with interests in healthcare reform and its impact on the quality of orthopedic care. Her practice emphasizes evidence-based treatment tailored to each patient’s condition and needs.
- Rivka Ihejirika-Lomedico, MD. Alta Orthopaedics (Santa Barbara, Calif.): Dr. Lomedico is an orthopedic spine surgeon treating traumatic, degenerative, deformity, oncologic and congenital conditions of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. She offers nonoperative, minimally invasive and traditional surgical treatments tailored to patients’ individual needs.
Dr. Lomedico has particular interests in bone health optimization, regenerative medicine and wellness alongside surgical spine care. She has contributed to more than 100 publications, presentations and educational activities and continues to participate in clinical research and collaborations with researchers at major institutions.
- Elizabeth Lord, MD. UCLA Health (Los Angeles): Dr. Lord is a spine surgeon and assistant professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery. She specializes in complex adult and adolescent spinal deformity, scoliosis, reconstructive spine surgery and primary and metastatic spinal tumors, with expertise in minimally invasive and robotic techniques.
Dr. Lord’s research focuses on bone biology and fusion, spinal deformity and innovation in spine surgery. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed studies, presented her work nationally and internationally, and serves on several North American Spine Society committees.
- Jason Lowenstein, MD. Atlantic Health System (Morristown, N.J.): Dr. Lowenstein is medical director and chief of scoliosis and spinal deformity at Morristown Medical Center and Atlantic Health System. He specializes in treating children and adults with complex spinal deformities, including scoliosis, kyphosis and spondylolisthesis.
Dr. Lowenstein is active in spine education and has lectured extensively on spinal deformity. He is a member of the Scoliosis Research Society, North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and has received multiple regional and national physician honors.
- James Mooney, MD. VCU Health (Richmond, Va.): Dr. Mooney is a neurosurgeon specializing in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery, including spinal deformity, motion preservation, revision surgery and spine oncology. His expertise includes robotic-assisted surgery, navigation and advanced imaging techniques designed to improve surgical precision and recovery.
Dr. Mooney has authored more than 55 peer-reviewed manuscripts and six textbook chapters, with research focused on robotics, AI and improving spine surgery outcomes. His national honors include the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Spine Section’s Charles Kuntz Scholar Award and the Stewart B. Dunsker Award for his work in lumbar disc arthroplasty.
- Gregory Mundis Jr., MD. Scripps Health (San Diego): Dr. Mundis is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in complex cervical, thoracic and lumbar deformities in pediatric and adult patients. His expertise includes scoliosis, kyphosis, minimally invasive reconstruction and complex revision spine surgery.
Dr. Mundis is co-director of the San Diego Spine Fellowship and a member of the International Spine Study Group, with research focused on minimally invasive scoliosis reconstruction and severe pediatric deformity. He also works with Global Spine Outreach to provide complex spine surgery and surgeon education in underserved communities worldwide.
- Alpesh Patel, MD. Northwestern Medicine (Chicago): Dr. Patel is an orthopedic spine surgeon and co-director of the Northwestern Center for Spine Health. He specializes in cervical, complex and reconstructive spine surgery, with expertise in minimally invasive techniques, spinal stenosis and spinal fusion.
Dr. Patel is also active in medical device innovation, health outcomes research and predictive analytics, with a focus on using technology and data to improve spine care and patient outcomes.
- Kern Singh, MD. Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (Chicago): Dr. Singh is director of the Division of Spine Surgery at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and vice chair of clinical affairs in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center. He specializes in minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery for complex degenerative conditions, spinal tumors and adult spinal deformity, with expertise in motion-preserving procedures and disc replacement.
Dr. Singh has published more than 200 articles, presentations and book chapters and is a principal investigator for several FDA clinical trials focused on cervical disc replacement and motion-preserving technologies. He is also involved in developing minimally invasive spinal instrumentation and has taught advanced spine techniques internationally.
- Andrew Zhang, MD. Penn Medicine (Philadelphia): Dr. Zhang is an orthopedic spine surgeon and assistant professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He specializes in complex adult and pediatric spinal deformity, robotic surgery and ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. In February 2026, he performed the Penn orthopedic surgery department’s first endoscopic spine procedure and has since expanded use of the technique for patients with disc herniations.
Dr. Zhang also serves as director of clinical research for Penn’s spine surgery division and associate program director for the orthopedic surgery residency. He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, delivered more than 100 national and international presentations and was named to the NASS’ 20 Under 40 list.
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