Robert S. Bray, Jr., MD, is the founder and CEO of DISC Sports & Spine Center in Marina del Rey, Calif. He has a special interest in minimally invasive spinal procedures and has been on the forefront of research and development in the field throughout his career. "My goal is to be integral in the development of microsurgery for the spine," says Dr. Bray. "I've been a part of microsurgery for the spine since the very start. I've designed microscopes for a lot of procedures used today and trained many fellows. I've seen how the field of minimally invasive surgery and microsurgery has changed the entire face of spine surgery. I've done more than 10,000 cases of microsurgery on the spine."Prior to founding DISC, Dr. Bray founded The Institute for Spinal Disorders at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He also served as director of neurosurgery and headed spinal programs at St. John's Medical Center, Century City Hospital and Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital.
Since founding DISC in 2006, the practice has become the official provider of medical care for U.S. Olympic athletes and Red Bull North America athletes, as well as the Los Angeles Kings. The practice opened a second surgery center in Orange County earlier this year.
In 2009, Dr. Bray discovered thoracic epidural arteriovenous malformation disease and helped develop new imaging protocol with Mink Radiology to identify the condition. He now performs outpatient procedures to reverse the condition in patients who have severe upper back pain and loss of lower limb function.
Dr. Bray earned his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed his residency in neurosurgery at Baylor Affiliated Hospitals. He is a member of the North American Spine society, American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Association of Military Surgeons. He spent 20 years of combined active and reserve duty with the United States Air Force, where he was recognized for his work developing medical protocols and teaching wartime trauma techniques.
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