For Emeka Nwodim, MD, a successful spine practice doesn’t have one set path. Dr. Nwodim reflects on what spine surgeons should do in 2026 to grow and one thing he’d do differently earlier in his career.
The Spine Success Strategy is a new series featuring the voices of spine surgeons at different stages of their careers and their advice for growing a spine practice today. To be considered for a future article, please email Carly Behm at cbehm@beckershealthcare.com.
Practice location: The Centers for Advanced Orthopedics in Greater Annapolis area, Md.
Number of years you’ve been in practice: 10 years
Question: What’s one thing all spine surgeons should do to grow their practices?
Dr. Emeka Nwodim: Something spine surgeon should do to grow their practice is remain flexible and versatile. There are a myriad of ways to be successful and you have to be open to understanding which method, practice technique and business model will work best for you. Depending on what part of the country you’re in, you may have ample competition so you need to be able to set yourself apart. At the same time, even if you are in an area less competitive or part of a hospital or large health system with ample referral sources, you have to find ways to continuously attract patients to you and your practice while maintaining clinical integrity and not succumbing to external or administrative pressures.
Q: What’s something that surprised you in your career?
EN: One observation that has continued to surprise me over the course of my career is how many opportunities physicians and surgeons leave unrealized by not collaborating more effectively. At times, individual priorities and entrenched perspectives distract from the broader, long-term benefits that come from meaningful professional collaboration.
Q: What’s something you’d do differently if you could start your practice over?
EN: One thing I would likely do differently if I were starting my career over would be to dedicate more of my time and expertise to a hospital or health system that maintained a stronger collaborative relationship with the private practice community. In my experience, there are many hospitals and health systems that view private practice physicians through a more collaborative lens and recognizing them as valued partners rather than as threats or primary competitors.
