Overview
Throughout my medical career, I have remained dedicated to improving my patients' quality of life. As a specialist in adult cervical and spinal deformity surgery, I understand the significant impact our interventions have on individuals suffering from debilitating pain and physical and mental health challenges. Spinal deformity surgery merges the complexities of spinal biomechanics with the needs of an aging population. My research focuses on spinal alignment, biomechanics, innovative surgical techniques, and health economics to ensure value-based care that enhances patient outcomes.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
·
2025 - Present
Orthopaedic Surgery,
Clinical Science Departments
Recent Scholarly Works
Patient travel burden and postoperative outcomes after lumbar fusion.
Journal article N Am Spine Soc J · September 2026 BACKGROUND: Geographic barriers to surgical care have been linked to poor postoperative outcomes. Patients living farther from surgical centers may experience delays in care, which may adversely impact postoperative outcomes. While the influence of travel ... Full text Link to item CiteAssessing 10-Year Risk of Revision Surgery and Postoperative Complications Following Thoracic or Lumbar Fusion Surgery in HIV-Positive Patients.
Journal article Spine (Phila Pa 1976) · August 15, 2026 STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the 10-year risk of revision surgery and postoperative complications in HIV-positive patients undergoing thoracic or lumbar fusion, compared with matched HIV-negative controls. SUMMARY OF BAC ... Full text Open Access Link to item CiteImpact of Complications on DRG Assignment for Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery Using the ISSG-AO Classification System.
Journal article Spine (Phila Pa 1976) · August 15, 2026 STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. OBJECTIVE: The ISSG-AO Spinal Deformity Complication Classification System (SDCCS) predicts Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) coding and cost. BACKGROUND: Inconsistent definitions of complications contribute to variation in ... Full text Open Access Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Theradaptive OsteoAdapt (OASP.T1.01)
Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Theradaptive, Inc. · 2026 - 2031Biomechanical and genetic analysis of the combination effects of BMP2 and anti-RANKL antibody on a mice spinal fusion model
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by Lumbar Spine Research Society · 2025 - 2026View All Grants
Education
State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center ·
2003
M.D.