Matthew J. Geck, MD (Seton Spine & Scoliosis Center, Austin, Texas). Dr. Geck is the co-chief of Seton Spine and Scoliosis Center with John K. Stokes, MD. He is also the co-founder of SpineHope, a non-profit organization focused on providing solutions for children living with spinal deformities worldwide. For his efforts with the organization, he was awarded the University of Wisconsin’s Forward Under 40 award in 2009. He has a professional interest in treating scoliosis, cervical disc replacement and cervical myelopathy. During his career, he has written several articles published in professional journals, including Spine and The Journal of Spinal Disorders. He is a fellow of the Scoliosis Research Society, North American Spine Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Geck earned his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and completed his residency at the UCLA Medical Center. His additional training includes two fellowships in spine surgery.
Regis W. Haid, Jr., MD (Atlanta Brain and Spine Center, Georgia). Dr. Haid is a founding partner of Atlanta Brain and Spine Care and the medical director of the Piedmont Spine Center and neuroscience service line at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Haid has served on the editorial and review boards of several professional journals, including Spine, Journal of Neurosurgery and Contemporary Neurosurgery. His research interests include spinal reconstruction techniques, and he has participated in the development of implants and techniques concerning cervical lateral mass plating, anterior cervical plating, posterior and transforminal lumbar interbody fusion and cervical arthroplasty. Dr. Haid is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurosurgical Surgeons and the North American Spine Society. During his career, he has served on the board of directors for the Think First Foundation, Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery and the International Meeting of Advanced Spine Techniques. Dr. Haid earned his medical degree at West Virginia University, where he also completed his residency in neurosurgery. His additional training includes a fellowship in Pittsburgh and at the University of Florida, where he focused on spine surgery.
Thomas T. Haider, MD (Haider Spine Center, Riverside, Calif.). Dr. Haider is the founder of Haider Spine Center and chief of the spine division at Riverside (Calif.) County Regional Medical Center. He co-founded the Children’s Spine Foundation, a charity focused on early intervention and treatment of spinal disorders for underprivileged children, with his wife. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Haider has developed and patented spinal surgery instrumentation, such as the Haider/UCR Pedicle Instrumentation. He is also the chairman of the Biomedical Advisory Board of UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Program in Biomedical Sciences. During his career, he has received the Chancellor’s Medal of Honor and the American Medical Association Pride in the Profession Award for his contributions to the field of orthopedic surgery and his involvement in community service. He was also appointed by the California state governor to the State Bar Board of Governors. Dr. Haider earned his medical degree at Loyola University in Chicago. His further training includes a residency in orthopedics and fellowship in spine surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver.
Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD (Texas Back Institute, Plano). Dr. Hochschuler is the co-founder of the Texas Back Institute with Ralph F. Rashbaum, MD. He has a professional interest in treating lumbar spinal problems and failed spinal procedures. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Hochschuler has served on the board of directors for SpineMark and as a clinical instructor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in the department of orthopedics. He has served as the president and founding member of the Spine Arthroplasty Society and is a founding member of the American Board of Spinal Surgery. He is also a co-founder of Innovative Spinal Technologies. During his career, Dr. Hochschuler has also published several articles on spine surgery in professional journals such as Spine. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in Boston, where he also completed his residency in general surgery. Dr. Hochschuler’s additional training includes an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He also served as a Captain and Major in the United States Air Force.
George A. Frey, MD (Colorado Comprehensive Spine Institute, Englewood, Colo.). Dr. Frey is the founder of the Colorado Comprehensive Spine Institute. He regularly treats patients with problems in the cervical, lumbar and thoracic regions with a specific expertise in emerging motion-sparing and non-fusion technologies. He is also interested in minimally invasive spine surgery and has co-authored several articles on orthopedic spine surgery. He has also served as a member of the SpineUniverse.com editorial board. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Frey has developed new surgical techniques, spinal systems and implants. He holds several patents in medical device technologies and methods. During his career, Dr. Frey has also served as an associate clinical professor and chief of spinal surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences. Dr. Frey earned his medical degree at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., and completed his residency and fellowship in orthopedic spine surgery at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago.
Rick C. Sasso, MD (Indiana Spine Group, Indianapolis). Dr. Sasso is the president of the Indiana Spine Group. In addition to his practice, Dr. Sasso is involved in research and development of spinal implants and techniques for minimally invasive spine surgery. He has patents on several devices, including spine fixation instrumentation and posterior cervical fixation screws. He has served on the editorial boards for several professional journals, including the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques and the Spine Arthroplasty Society Journal. During his career, he has served as a clinical instructor and chief of spine surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Dr. Sasso is a member of several professional organizations, including the North American Spine Society, Cervical Spine Research Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Texas School of Medicine. Dr. Sasso’s additional training includes fellowships in spine surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago, Baylor University in Houston and St. Gallen in Switzerland.
Thomas C. Schuler, MD (Virginia Spine Institute). Dr. Schuler founded The Virginia Spine Institute in 1992 and currently serves as president and CEO of the practice. He is also the scientific advisor to The Spinal Research Foundation. He has a professional interest in treating the cervical and lumbar spine. Dr. Schuler also serves as the spine consultant to the Washington Redskins and is the program director of the Virginia Spine Institute Physician Assistant Fellowship Program. In addition to his practice, Dr. Schuler is a founding member of the Lumbar Spine Study Group, a fellow with the American College of Spine Surgery and the American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of the North American Spine Society and Young Presidents Organization. Dr. Schuler earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich. His additional training includes a spine surgery fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.
Roy D. Vingan, MD (New Jersey Brain & Spine Center, Hackensack, N.J.). Dr. Vingan is a founding member of the New Jersey Brain & Spine Center, formerly known as Comprehensive Neurosurgical. He has a professional interest in performing minimally invasive spinal procedures. During his career, he has served as the president of the medical staff at Hackensack University medical center, where he currently acts as chief of Neurosurgical Trauma and Critical Care, and chief of neurosurgery at Holy Name Hospital. He has also been the coordinator of the THINK FIRST head and spinal cord injury prevention program in his community. Dr. Vingan was one of the first to perform the XLIF procedure in his area. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Vingan has served as an assistant clinical instructor at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine and at UMDNJ/Newark. He is a member of several professional societies, including the North American Spine Society and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Vingan earned his medical degree at The State University of New York in Brooklyn, where he also completed his residency.
