Spine surgeons and neurosurgeons across the country marked new leadership roles, practice moves and surgical milestones in July. From a dean appointment at a major academic medical center to a first-in-the-nation implant procedure, the month’s moves reflected both the clinical and administrative sides of the field.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list.
1. Brian Hoh, MD
Dr. Hoh was selected as the next dean of Gainesville-based University of Florida College of Medicine, effective Aug. 7, according to a July 31 university news release. He has chaired the university’s Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery and served as chief of medical staff at Gainesville-based UF Health Shands Hospital. Under his leadership, the neurosurgery department became the nation’s second-highest NIH-funded neurosurgery department. Dr. Hoh is a former president of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and was recognized as the nation’s top NIH-funded neurosurgery investigator in 2021, 2023 and 2025.
2. Ngoc-Lam Nguyen, MD
Dr. Nguyen performed the first surgery in the U.S. using Signus USA’s VertaConnect expandable lumbar spine implant system, according to a July 15 news release from the devicemaker. The procedure took place July 3 at Sarasota (Fla.) Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Nguyen specializes in cervical-to-sacral spinal disorders, including deformities and complex revisions.
3. Guy McKhann II, MD
Dr. McKhann will become chair of Emory University School of Medicine’s Department of Neurosurgery in Atlanta, effective Sept. 14. He currently serves as vice chair of neurological surgery at New York City-based Columbia University Irving Medical Center and co-chief of its stereotactic and functional and brain tumor divisions. He directs Columbia’s Epilepsy Neurophysiology Laboratory and leads NIH-funded research on epilepsy, brain tumors and neurodegenerative disease.
4. Daniel Prevedello, MD
Dr. Prevedello was named chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at UNC School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, N.C. He will take over the role in October. Dr. Prevedello currently serves as professor and vice chair of academic affairs in the Department of Neurological Surgery at The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus. He is president-elect of the North American Skull Base Society and editor-in-chief of Neurosurgery Review.
5. Bradley Weprin, MD
Dr. Weprin was named president of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons for the 2026-27 term. He is director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Dallas-based Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center, where he also serves as vice chair of quality in the Department of Neurological Surgery.
6. John Caridi, MD
Dr. Caridi joined New York City-based Spine Associates of NYC. He is a spine neurosurgeon with expertise in complex spinal deformities, revision spine surgery, spinal tumors and degenerative spine conditions and has more than 20 years of experience in advanced spine surgery.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.