On Jan. 1, 2020, the CY 2020 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Final Rule will take effect, removing six spinal procedures from the inpatient-only list. By Alan Condon - 11/22/19

More than three dozen lawsuits against fugitive neurosurgeon Allen Sossan, MD, have been settled, according to the Argus Leader. By Laura Dyrda - 11/22/19

Eight spine and neurosurgeons predict how spinal fusion will develop in the next five years. By Alan Condon - 11/20/19

The New Hampshire Union Leader honored the late spinal cord specialist William "Ed" Kois, MD, with its 17th annual Nackey S. Loeb First Amendment Award on Nov. 19. By Angie Stewart - 11/20/19

Fernando Silva, MD, joined the neurosciences team at Houston Methodist The Woodlands (Texas) Hospital, Woodlands Online reports. By Angie Stewart - 11/20/19

Ashley Strickland, MD, joined UNC Orthopedics at Nash in Rocky Mount, N.C., according to the Rocky Mount Telegram. By Angie Stewart - 11/19/19

Neurosurgeon Merylee Werthan Jost, MD, died of pancreatic cancer on Nov. 13, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. By Alan Condon - 11/19/19

This article is a portion of a book titled "Challenges, Risks and Opportunities in Today's Spine World " edited by Stephen Hochschuler, MD, Frank Phillips, MD, and Richard Fessler, MD. You can find links to the previous chapters at the end of this article. By Anthony T. Yeung, M.D., Clinical Professor, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Desert Institute for Spine Care, Phoenix, Arizona - 11/19/19

The Westside Cultural Arts Center, founded by James Chappuis, MD, was recognized in a recent feature on global warehouse venues by The Venue Report. By Alan Condon - 11/18/19

Eddie Van Halen paid a visit to Todd Lanman, MD, a spinal neurosurgeon known for his work on advancing total disc replacement surgery and motion preservation. By Angie Stewart - 11/18/19

Here are seven spine and neurosurgeons making the news this week.  By Alan Condon - 11/15/19

Lane D. Spero, MD, chose to become an orthopedic and spine specialist because of the personal challenge and reward for patients, he said in an interview with Dexur. By Angie Stewart - 11/15/19

Saba Pasha, PhD, recently published a study exploring how variation in spinal patterns may lead to spinal deformities seen in scoliosis, reports Medical Xpress. By Alan Condon - 11/14/19

Wilmington, N.C.-based New Hanover Regional Medical Center wants to dedicate its new $91 million patient tower to heart and vascular procedures instead of orthopedic and spine care, WilmingtonBiz reports. By Angie Stewart - 11/14/19

Late on Nov. 13, the Department of Justice filed a complaint that alleges former Sanford Health neurosurgeon Wilson Asfora, MD, profited from performing "aggressive, unnecessary surgeries" and implanting devices from a company he had ownership in, according to the Argus Leader. By Laura Dyrda - 11/14/19

Complaints to the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education paint a hostile environment for neurosurgery residents at Detroit Medical Center, according to The Detroit News. By Laura Dyrda - 11/14/19

This article is a portion of a book titled "Challenges, Risks and Opportunities in Today's Spine World " edited by Stephen Hochschuler, MD, Frank Phillips, MD, and Richard Fessler, MD. You can find links to the previous chapters at the end of this article. By Andrew R. Block, PhD, ABPP, Texas Back Institute, Plano, TX - 11/14/19

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Christopher Edwards, MD, as chair of the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, reports Atlanta Business Chronicle. By Alan Condon - 11/13/19

Prosecutors argued in a federal court on Nov. 11 that Michael Rimlawi, MD, should not be granted a new trial after he was convicted for his role in a $40 million kickback dispute in April, reports Law360. By Alan Condon - 11/13/19

Eight spine and neurosurgeons provide their insight into key patient evaluation considerations when performing outpatient spinal fusion. By Alan Condon - 11/13/19