Continuing surgical innovation, keeping risks to a minimum and providing care to populations with limited access to orthopedic services are atop surgeons’ plans for the rest of the year.
These five physicians recently connected with Becker’s to share their goals for the second half of 2025.
Ask Orthopedic Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to orthopedic surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. Becker’s invites all orthopedic surgeon and specialist responses.
Next question: How has payer behavior changed in the last year, and how are you adapting?
Please send responses to Cameron Cortigiano at ccortigiano@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. Central time Monday, July 21.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What are your goals for the second half of 2025?
David Kugelman, MD. Joint Replacement Surgeon of Rothman Orthopaedics (Philadelphia): To continue providing care for complex revision cases, especially for patients who have limited options elsewhere. Ensuring access to high-quality, specialized surgical care for this population remains a top priority.
Hassan Mir, MD. Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Medical Education of University of South Florida (Tampa): My main goal for the second half of 2025 is to sustain personal wellness while simultaneously contributing to the well-being of others through my various roles as an orthopaedic trauma surgeon, educator, researcher and leader. I have incorporated various activities into my routine that all contribute to my mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health. Many of these activities are work/professional tasks and engagements, while others are quality with family and friends or individual pursuits. Though striking a balance within the demands of work-life integration presents a constant challenge, timely reminders consistently reinforce the profound importance of self-care as a foundation for meaningful service to others.
Emeka Nwodim, MD. Orthopedic and spine surgeon of The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics (Bethesda, Md.): At this moment in time, my division within CAO is in a period of transformative changes and growth. So my goals for the second half of 2025 are to see that process through in a responsible and efficient manner. With the challenges we are all facing in healthcare, it is a difficult task to say the least but also very rewarding. I am also deeply involved with the central CAO organization, so my goals are to support the central leadership team in their mission.
Vishal Sarwahi, MD. Chief of Spinal Deformity and Pediatric Orthopaedics of Cohen’s Children Medical Center (New Hyde Park, N.Y.): Keep it to the minimum: minimize pain, minimize opioids, minimize risks and hospital stays. We have started cryomodulation of the intercostal nerves while doing rib resection. Rib resection (thoracoplasty) is done for the residual rib hump that persists after scoliosis correction. Cryomodulation freezes the nerve causing continents, which lasts for about three months thereby minimizing the pain associated with rib resection, which can be very painful and worse with deep breathing, changing position etc. This approach decreases pain and allows earlier mobilization.
Cryomodulation along with intraspinal microdose morphine has decreased opioids by 75% in the post-op period, while allowing earlier resumption of diet, out of bed, participation with PT, better pain control and decreased risk of opioid dependence in a teenage population. The combination of the two approaches has also decreased the hospital stay and is allowing for a faster recovery.
I have also been pursuing a TNT approach (technique and technology) to establish an equilibrium between surgical technology and surgical techniques. In this TNT approach we insert pedicle screws in scoliotic spines utilizing surgical techniques, while skipping the challenging pedicles. Fluoroscopy is not utilized. A single intra-op CT scan confirms the placement of screws inserted, while CT based navigation allows screw insertion in the challenging pedicles that were skipped. This approach decreases radiation to the young patient, decreases operative time and associated risks of prolonged surgery and maintains a 99%+ screw accuracy. Furthermore the surgeon leaves the operating room knowing the screws are in an acceptable place, the best of both worlds.
Rohit Verma, MD. Assistant Attending Orthopedic Spine Surgeon of Northwell Health (New Hyde Park, N.Y.): As I look toward 2025, my goals reflect a dual commitment: to continued innovation in spine surgery and to cultivating greater balance in my personal life. Professionally, I’m focused on evaluating and integrating new technologies that are transforming the field, particularly robotics, endoscopic spine surgery and intelligent navigation systems. I believe these tools hold the key to safer, more efficient and more personalized care, and I’m committed to adopting them thoughtfully and strategically—grounded in evidence and always with patient outcomes in mind.
On a personal level, I’m prioritizing deeper presence with my wife and children. Finding harmony between a demanding surgical career and meaningful family life is a constant challenge, but one I’m embracing intentionally in 2025. I believe the best surgeons are those who bring their full selves to their work and their home life, and I’m striving to lead by example on both fronts.
