Spine surgeon J. Alex Sielatycki, MD, will join Steamboat Orthopaedic & Spine Institute in Steamboat Springs, Colo., after his former mentor Clint Devin, MD, died Dec. 10 in a plane crash, the Steamboat Pilot & Today reported Feb. 5.
At Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Dr. Sielatycki trained as a resident with Dr. Devin, who served as head of spine trauma and professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery.
"He poured a lot of time and effort into developing those students and really honing those skills. He took a personal and professional interest and cared about our development as surgeons and people," Dr. Sielatycki told the publication. "I am a spine surgeon today because of the influence and support of Dr. Devin."
After Dr. Sielatycki completed his training, he collaborated with Dr. Devin on spinal arthroplasty research. The surgeons performed a lumbar total joint replacement together in a cadaver lab just weeks before Dr. Devin's death, according to the report.
Dr. Sielatycki was initially set to join Steamboat in late summer, but his start date has been moved to March 14 to fill the void left by Dr. Devin.
He joins from Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery in Chattanooga, Tenn.