Spine surgery continues to evolve through advances in minimally invasive procedures, robotic-assisted technologies, motion-preserving treatments and complex deformity correction. Across the country, a select group of surgeons is helping shape the field through clinical innovation, research leadership, education and the development of new approaches to treating spinal disorders.
The following 15 spine surgeons stand out for their expertise, influence and contributions to advancing spine care.
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.
- John Rhee, MD. Emory Healthcare (Atlanta): Dr. Rhee is a spine surgeon specializing in cervical spine disorders, spinal deformity and spinal tumors. A past president of the Cervical Spine Research Society, he is widely recognized for his contributions to cervical spine research, education and surgical innovation. An accomplished author and educator, Dr. Rhee has published extensively in spine literature and was named one of America’s Leading Doctors in Spine Surgery by Newsweek in 2025.
- Robert Bray Jr., MD. DISC Sports & Spine Center (Newport Beach, Calif.): Dr. Bray is a pioneering neurosurgical spine surgeon and founder of DISC Sports & Spine Center, recognized for helping transform spine surgery through minimally invasive and outpatient-based care. A leader in microsurgical spine techniques, he performs most of his procedures in an ambulatory setting, specializing in spinal fusion, artificial disc replacement and complex degenerative spine conditions.
Formerly founder of The Institute for Spinal Disorders at Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai, Dr. Bray has trained dozens of spine fellows, holds multiple patents for spine surgery technologies and has helped advance the adoption of outpatient spine surgery nationwide. He is widely respected for his innovation, research and leadership in modern spine care.
- Mladen Djurasovic, MD. Norton Leatherman Spine Center (Louisville, Ky.): Dr. Djurasovic is a nationally recognized spine surgeon at Norton Leatherman Spine Center with expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery, adult spinal deformity and scoliosis. A clinical assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Louisville, he has published more than 50 peer-reviewed studies focused on patient-reported outcomes and spinal surgery outcomes research. Dr. Djurasovic is widely respected for advancing minimally invasive spine techniques and improving care for patients with complex spinal disorders.
- Vladimir Sinkov, MD. Sinkov Spine Center (Las Vegas): Dr. Sinkov is a spine surgeon specializing in minimally invasive and robotic spine surgery. Widely recognized for his expertise in motion-preserving and minimally invasive techniques, he trains spine surgeons across the U.S. on advanced spinal procedures and technologies, including robotic-assisted surgery. Dr. Sinkov has contributed to the development of multiple spine surgery devices, published extensively in the spine literature and is known for advancing innovation and education in modern spine care.
- Christina Hardesty, MD. University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital (Cleveland): Dr. Hardesty is a pediatric orthopedic spine surgeon and associate professor at Cleveland-based Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine specializing in scoliosis, spinal deformity correction, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disorders, clubfoot and spina bifida. Nationally recognized for her expertise in pediatric spine and neuromuscular care, she has particular research interests in early-onset scoliosis, spasticity management and complex spinal deformities.
Dr. Hardesty is an active leader in numerous specialty organizations, including the Scoliosis Research Society and Pediatric Spine Study Group, and has earned national recognition for her contributions to pediatric orthopedic research, education and leadership, including receiving the prestigious Scoliosis Research Society Traveling Fellowship.
- Darren Lebl, MD. Hospital for Special Surgery (New York City): Dr. Lebl is associate professor and research service chief of spine surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery, specializing in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted spine surgery, cervical spine disorders, spinal deformity reconstruction and motion-preserving procedures. A recognized leader in spine innovation, he has helped advance the use of robotics, augmented reality and AI in spine surgery and holds U.S. and international patents for novel surgical techniques.
Widely respected for his research, education and technological innovation, Dr. Lebl has authored numerous publications on cervical spine care, minimally invasive surgery and complication avoidance, while helping train spine surgeons through national and international educational programs.
- Praveen Mummaneni, MD. UCSF Health (San Francisco): Dr. Mummaneni is co-director of the UCSF Spine Center, vice chair of neurosurgery and the Joan O’Reilly Distinguished Professor in Spinal Surgery at UCSF. An internationally recognized spine surgeon, he specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal deformity correction, spinal tumors and degenerative spine disease.
A prolific researcher and educator, Dr. Mummaneni has authored more than 530 peer-reviewed publications and edited nine spine surgery textbooks. He has held leadership roles across many of the field’s most influential organizations, including the Scoliosis Research Society, where he currently serves as secretary-elect. He is widely respected for advancing spine research, outcomes science and minimally invasive surgical innovation.
- Adetokunbo Oyelese, MD, PhD. Brown University Health (Providence, R.I.): Dr. Oyelese is director of the spinal surgery division and director of the Norman Prince Spine Institute at Brown University Health. A neurological spine surgeon specializing in complex spinal disorders, he is known for his expertise in spinal deformity, degenerative spine disease, spinal tumors and spinal trauma, as well as advanced techniques including minimally invasive spine surgery, artificial disc replacement and stereotactic radiosurgery.
A professor of neurosurgery at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School, Dr. Oyelese is also recognized for his research on spinal cord repair and neuroplasticity. He is widely respected for advancing the treatment of complex spine conditions through clinical innovation, research and surgical education.
- Jessica Shellock, MD. Texas Back Institute (Plano): Dr. Shellock is an orthopedic spine surgeon at Texas Back Institute specializing in cervical and lumbar degenerative spine conditions. A leader in motion-preservation spine surgery, she is part of the institute’s Center for Disc Replacement and has extensive experience with cervical and lumbar artificial disc replacement technologies, including participation in multiple FDA clinical studies evaluating next-generation devices.
Widely recognized for her patient-centered approach, Dr. Shellock focuses on minimally invasive and motion-preserving techniques designed to relieve pain, restore function and reduce the need for spinal fusion whenever possible.
- Saqib Hasan, MD. Golden State Orthopedics & Spine (Walnut Creek, Calif.): Dr. Hasan is a spine surgeon specializing in minimally invasive, endoscopic and motion-preserving spine surgery for complex cervical, thoracic and lumbar conditions. One of the first fellowship-trained full-endoscopic spine surgeons in the U.S., he is recognized for advancing ultra-minimally invasive techniques that offer targeted treatment alternatives to traditional open spine surgery.
Trained in both orthopedic and neurosurgical spine surgery, Dr. Hasan has a particular interest in disc replacement, scoliosis and endoscopic spine procedures. He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and is widely respected for his contributions to spine research, surgical innovation and patient-centered approaches to spinal care.
- Brandon Lawrence, MD. University of Utah Health (Salt Lake City): Dr. Lawrence is an orthopedic spine surgeon and assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Utah specializing in adult and pediatric cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine disorders. His clinical expertise includes spinal deformity, degenerative spine disease, spinal trauma, tumors and infections, with a particular focus on complex reconstructive, minimally invasive and microscopic spine surgery.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Lawrence conducts research focused on spinal biomechanics, stem cell-based fusion technologies and patient outcomes. He is widely recognized for advancing the treatment of complex spinal conditions through both innovative surgical techniques and spine research.
- Eric Klineberg, MD. UTHealth Houston: Dr. Klineberg is chief of orthopedic spine surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and holds the Milton “Chip” Routt Endowed Chair of Spinal Surgery. An internationally recognized spine surgeon, he specializes in complex adult and pediatric spinal deformity and has built a national reputation through his clinical care, research and leadership in spine surgery.
Dr. Klineberg has authored more than 300 scientific publications and serves in leadership roles with several of the field’s leading organizations, including the Scoliosis Research Society and AO Spine North America, where he currently serves as chair. Widely respected for advancing spinal deformity care, he has helped lead numerous multicenter research initiatives and international collaborations focused on improving outcomes for patients with complex spine conditions.
- Michael Gallizzi, MD. The Steadman Clinic (Vail, Colo.): Dr. Gallizzi is an orthopedic spine surgeon and a recognized leader in robotic and endoscopic spine surgery. He has performed more than 200 robotic and endoscopic spine procedures and is actively involved in developing new technologies and techniques designed to advance minimally invasive spine care.
Dr. Gallizzi has authored more than 50 scientific publications and is among a select group of U.S. surgeons who regularly train physicians from around the world in robotic and endoscopic spine surgery. He is widely respected for his work in motion-preservation technology, surgical innovation and advancing next-generation approaches to spine treatment.
- Michael Briseño, MD. North Texas Orthopedics & Spine Center (Grapevine): Dr. Briseño is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal decompression, spinal fusion, deformity correction, artificial disc replacement and spine trauma. Known for his patient-centered approach, he emphasizes conservative and holistic treatment strategies before considering surgery, helping patients better understand their conditions and treatment options.
Since joining North Texas Orthopedics & Spine Center in 2014, Dr. Briseño has focused on improving quality of life for patients with complex neck and back disorders through both surgical and nonsurgical spine care. He is widely respected for his expertise in minimally invasive techniques and individualized treatment planning.
- James Kang, MD. Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston): Dr. Kang is chair emeritus of orthopedic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an internationally recognized spine surgeon-scientist specializing in spinal stenosis, disc degeneration, spinal deformity and minimally invasive spine surgery. A pioneer in intervertebral disc degeneration research, his work has helped advance the understanding of disc biology and the development of novel stem cell- and gene therapy-based treatments for spine disease.
A past president of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, Dr. Kang has earned many of the field’s highest research honors and is widely respected for his contributions to spine research, clinical innovation and surgical education. He has also published extensively on spine surgery outcomes and has mentored generations of orthopedic surgeons, fellows and researchers.
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