27 Women in Spine and Neurosurgery to Know

Ellen Air, MD (Cincinnati Children's Hospital). Dr. Air is a neurosurgeon in the division of pediatric neurosurgery at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and at Mayfield Clinic for Brain and Spine. She has expertise in deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease, epilepsy surgery, spinal cord stimulation and minimally invasive spine surgery. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and Women in Neurosurgery. Dr. Air earned her medical degree and doctorate at the Physician Scientist Training Program/Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She completed her residency in neurosurgery at the University of Cincinnati College of medicine and fellowship in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery at San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of California San Francisco.

Carmina F. Angeles, MD (NeuroSpine Institute, Eugene, Ore.). Dr. Angeles is a neurosurgeon at NeuroSpine Institute and a physician-owner at Two Rivers Surgical Center in Eugene, Ore. She has a special interest in minimally invasive spine surgery and trained in cervical disc arthroplasty. She is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and North American Spine Society. Dr. Angeles earned her medical degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., where she completed the Medical Scientist Training Program. She underwent her residency in neurological surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch and trained at the Brain and Spine Neuro-Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her fellowship was in spine and periphera nerve surgery at Stanford University in California.

Jamie L. Baisden, MD (SpineCare Clinic at Froedtert Tosa Health Center, Wauwatosa, Wis.). Dr. Baisden is a neurosurgeon at the SpineCare Clinic and an assistant professor in the department of neurosurgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Her clinical interests include conditions of the cervical, lumbar and thoracic spine, chiari malformation and syringomyelia, disc herniations, spinal degenerative disease, spinal stenosis and spinal tumors. She is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and North American Spine Society. Dr. Baisden earned her medical degree at West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown. She has completed two fellowships — one in spinal surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals and the other in spinal cord injury at Zablocki VA Medical Center, both in Milwaukee.

Kara Beasley, DO (Boulder Neurosurgical & Spine Associates, Boulder, Colo.). Dr. Beasley is a movement disorder neurosurgeon with a dual degree in medicine and biomedical ethics from Midwestern University in Glendale, Ariz. She is a fully trained general neurosurgeon in cranial and spinal trauma, and is engaged in several research projects. Dr. Beasley completed her neurosurgery residency at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and fellowships in stereotactic radiosurgery at Cooper University in Camden, N.J., and in functional and restorative neurosurgery at Cleveland Clinic.

Erica F. Bisson, MD (University of Utah Health Care, Salt Lake City). Dr. Bisson has a professional interest in spine surgery, neurosurgery, occipitocervical disease and spinal fusion. She treats patients with a variety of conditions, including degenerative spinal disorders, spinal tumors, spondylolisthesis and trauma. Within her practice, Dr. Bisson performs image-guided spine surgery. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Bisson is also focused on research and has published articles in professional journals. Previously, she served on senior staff in the department of neurosurgery at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass. She earned her medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston and completed her residency in neurosurgery at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington. Her additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Evalina Burger, MD (University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora). Dr. Burger is first female spine surgeon selected for the South African Orthopaedic Society's ABC fellowship in 2000. She has a professional interest in adult deformity reconstruction and experience with spinal trauma and oncology. Dr. Burger earned her medical degree at the University of Pretoria and completed her residency at a military hospital, both in South Africa. Dr. Burger currently serves as an associate professor of orthopedics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and vice chair at The Spine Center of University of Colorado Hospital. In addition to her clinical practice, she is affiliated with the Scoliosis Research Society, North American Spine Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Nancy Epstein, MD (Long Island Neurosurgical Associates, New Hyde Park, N.Y.). Dr. Epstein is a neurosurgeon practicing as part of LINA, and is chief of neurological spine and education as well as an attending neurosurgeon at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y. She is also a clinical professor of neurological surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. She is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Cervical Spine Research Society, where she served as president in 2001. She serves on the editorial boards of Spine and Journal of Spinal Disorders. She earned her medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. She completed her residency in neurosurgery at Bellevue Medical Center in New York City, where she also completed an internship in general surgery.

Melissa M. Erickson, MD (Tidewater Orthopaedic, Hampton, Va.). Dr. Erickson is the only spine surgeon at the practice. Her clinical interests include arthroplasty, laminoplasty, direct lateral interbody fusions, compression fractures and microdiscectomy. She previously served as the resident team physician for athletic physicals and women's soccer coverage at Duke University in Durham, N.C. She is a member of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons and an AO Spine Fellow. She earned her medical degree at Rush University in Chicago, and completed her residency in orthopedic surgery at Duke University. Her additional training includes a spine surgery fellowship at Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic.

Sarah Jost Fouke, MD (Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle). Dr. Fouke has a professional interest in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with brain tumors as well as other cranial and spinal neuro-surgical diseases. Her clinical interests include back/spine injuries, disc problems, endoscopic surgery, head injury, hydrocephalus, lumbar fusion, lumbar spine trauma and diseases and spinal disorders. She previously worked on the faculty in the department of neurological surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where she earned her medical degree. She completed her residency in neurological surgery at Washington University, and she completed a research and clinical fellowship at the Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, Ireland.

Catherine Gallo, MD (NeuroSpine Institute, Eugene, Ore.). Dr. Gallo is a board-certified neurosurgeon with a special interest in minimally invasive spine surgery and spine instrumentation. She is a physician-owner of Two Rivers Surgical Center and a founding member of NeuroSpine Institute. She was previously a partner at NeuroSurgery Group. Dr. Gallo earned her medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed her residency at the University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics. She is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Women in Neurosurgery and Association of Women Surgeons.

Marilyn Gates, MD (Spectrum Health Medical Group, Grand Rapids, Mich.). Dr. Gates is a neurosurgeon practicing with Spectrum Health Medical Group. She is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, and she is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. She has a professional interest in adult spinal deformity, complex spine conditions, spinal trauma and spine surgery revision. Her clinical interests also include cervical herniated discs and cervical spine disorders. Dr. Gates earned her medical degree at University of Vermont College of Medicine, and she completed her residency at Fletcher Allen Health Care, both based in Burlington. She has also completed a spine surgery fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

Betsy H. Grunch, MD (The Longstreet Clinic, Gainesville, Ga.). Dr. Grunch joined the clinic in August 2013. She also has hospital privileges at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville. Her clinical interests include minimally invasive spine surgery and neurotrauma, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. She is a member of the Association of Women Surgeons and American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Grunch earned her medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, and she completed her residency at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C., where she also completed a spine research fellowship and received the Spine Young Investigator Award.

Serena Hu, MD (University of California, San Francisco). Dr. Hu is a professor of orthopedics at the University of California, San Francisco, and has a professional interest in treating adult scoliosis. Her research interests include the prediction and prevention of metastatic spinal fractures that could lead to paralysis and disc degeneration. Her research has resulted in several publications in journals such as Spine and presentations across the country. Dr. Hu earned her medical degree at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and completed her residency in orthopedic surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Her additional training includes a fellowship in spine and scoliosis surgery at Rancho Los Amigos in Downey, Calif. Dr. Hu is a member of several professional societies, including the Scoliosis Research Society, American Spinal Injury Association, AOSpine North America and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Youjeong Kim, MD (Orthopaedic Consultants of North Texas, Dallas). During her career, Dr. Kim has volunteered with Orthopaedics Overseas and has spent time treating patients in South Africa and China. She has also authored several book chapters and articles in professional journals about orthopedics and spine surgery. Her professional interests include treating patients with degenerative conditions of the spine and cervical spine disease. She is able to employ minimally invasive surgical technique when possible. Dr. Kim is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a member of the North American Spine Society. Dr. Kim earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine in Houston and completed her residency at the University of California, San Francisco. Her additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Emory Spine Center in Atlanta.

Melanie Kinchen, MD (North Texas Orthopedics, Keller). Dr. Kinchen joined the North Texas Orthopedics in 2010 and her clinical interests include cervical herniated discs, lumbar degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, failed back surgery and spinal deformity. She previously served as the medical director for The Spine Center at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier, Calif. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a member of the North American Spine Society and Scoliosis Research Society. Dr. Kinchen earned her medical degree at Harvard Medical School in Boston and completed her residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where she also completed a spine fellowship.

Pelagia Kouloumberis, MD (Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, Joliet, Ill.). Dr. Kouloumberis is a neurosurgeon at the medical center and is an assistant professor of clinical neurosurgery at University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Chicago Metropolitan Trauma Society and Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Her clinical interests include complex and minimally invasive treatments of spinal disease, traumatic brain and spinal injuries and chiari malformations. Dr. Kouloumberis earned her medical degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and completed her neurosurgery residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Rebecca Kuo, MD (Meridian Medical Associates, Joliet, Ill.). Dr. Kuo has a professional interest in surgical and non-surgical treatment of adult and pediatric spinal disorders and conditions. When possible, she uses minimally invasive surgical techniques with her patients. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Kuo is a member of North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. She is also currently the vice president of the North American Taiwanese Medical Association. Dr. Kuo earned her medical degree at Rush Medical College in Chicago and completed her residency at Rush University. Her additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of Texas in Houston.

Julie A. Long, MD (Northern California Spine Institute, Pleasanton, Calif.). Dr. Long focuses on complex spinal reconstructive procedures, scoliosis, revision surgery, minimally invasive spinal surgery and disc replacement. She previously served as chairman of the orthopedic surgery department at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. She is board certified and is a member of the North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Long earned her medical degree at University of California, San Diego and completed her residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis. She has also completed a spine surgery fellowship at Twin Cities Spine Center in Minneapolis.

Joan O'Shea, MD (The Spine Institute of Southern New Jersey, Marlton). Dr. O'Shea is trained in both neurosurgery and orthopedic spine surgery. During her career, she has been involved in cutting-edge surgical treatment for patients with cancer of the spine and complex spinal disorders. She has published several papers on her research in this area and has spoken at professional meetings across the country. She is a member of the North American Spine Society, Women in Neurosurgery, Medical Society of New Jersey and American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. O'Shea earned her medical degree at State University of New York Upstate Health Center in Syracuse and completed her neurosurgical residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Her additional training includes an orthopedic spine surgery fellowship at the Hospital for Joint Disease and the Spine Institute of Beth Israel Medical Center, both in New York City.

Tiffany Rogers, MD, MPT (Torrance Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group, Torrance, Calif.). Dr. Rogers, an orthopedic spine surgeon, has a professional interest in cervical herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, lumbar herniated discs, osteoarthritis and scoliosis. She is a member of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, California Orthopaedic Association and North American Spine Society. She is also an on-call orthopedic consultant at Kaiser Riverside (Calif.) Hospital. She earned her medical degree at Creighton University of School Medicine in Omaha, Neb., and completed her residency at Los Angeles County Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Torrance. She completed an orthopedic spine surgery fellowship at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, Calif. She has also earned a master's degree in physical therapy at Chapman University in Orange, Calif.

Jessica Shellock, MD (Texas Back Institute, Plano). Dr. Shellock joined Texas Back Institute in 2009 after completing her fellowship training at the practice. She earned her medical degree at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill and completed her residency in orthopedic surgery at University of Florida in Gainesville. She is a member of several professional organizations, including North American Spine Society and the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Shellock has participated in research about lumbar disc arthroplasty and spinal sports injuries. She has also given presentations nationally and internationally on subjects such as the failure of metal-on-metal artificial discs.

Jayashree Srinivasan, MD (Neurosurgical Consultants of Washington, Seattle.). Dr. Srinivasan is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons and American Board of Neurological Surgery. Her clinical interests include lumbar fusions, lumbar spine trauma and diseases, minimally invasive spine surgery, disc replacement, scoliosis surgery and cervical and lumbar degenerative disorders. She joined the practice in 2004. She earned her medical degree at Columbia University, New York. She completed her neurosurgery residency at University of Washington in Seattle.

Elizabeth Trinidad, MD (Pediatric Neurosurgery Center at Neurological Surgery, PC, Rockville Centre, N.Y.). Dr. Trinidad is a fellowship-trained pediatric neurosurgeon. She has a professional interest in neuroendoscopy and uses minimally invasive techniques when treating diseases of the brain and spine such as tumors, congenital malformations, hydrocephalus, trauma and degenerative disease. She is a member of the Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. She has also served as a Lieutenant Colonel with the United States Army Reserve, and she was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. She earned her medical degree at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Medicine, and she completed her neurosurgical residency at the State University of New York Health Science Center. She has also completed a fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora.

Cathleen S. Van Buskirk, MD (Alpine Spine Center, Boulder, Colo.). Dr. Van Buskirk is an orthopedic spine surgeon with Alpine Spine and the Minimally Invasive Spine Institute Outpatient Surgery Center. She has also been published in teaching books on topics related to surgical spine approaches and spinal cord injury management. She is a member of the Scoliosis Research Society, North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Van Buskirk earned her medical degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and completed her residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Her additional training includes two fellowships — one in spine surgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and the other in pediatric orthopedic spine surgery at St. Vincent De Paul Hospital in Paris.

 
Alexis M. Waguespack, MD (SpineCare Medical Group, New Orleans). Dr. Waguespack has a professional interest in treating patients with cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine disorders and trauma, including adult scoliosis and osteoporotic fractures. She is able to perform minimally invasive spine surgery for her patients. In addition to her clinical work, she is a member of North American Spine Society, Cervical Spine Research Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Waguespack earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, where she also completed her residency in orthopedic surgery. Her additional training includes a spine fellowship at San Francisco Spine Institute.

 
Kimberly P. Walpert, MD (Georgia Neurological Surgery, Athens, Ga.). Dr. Walpert is a board-certified neurosurgeon at Georgia Neurological Surgery Center, which is affiliated with Blue Chip Surgical Partners, and Georgia Comprehensive Spine. She is currently an assistant professor of neurosurgery at GRU/UGA Medical. Dr. Walpert earned her medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed her residency in neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee at Memphis. She has practiced with GNS since 2000.

Marjorie Wang, MD, MPH, FAANS (SpineCare Clinic at Froedtert Tosa Health Center Wauwatosa, Wis.). Dr. Wang is a neurosurgeon who provides spine care at Tosa Health Center, Community Memorial Medical Commons in Menomonee Falls, Wis., and Greenfield (Wis.) Highlands Health Center. She is also an associate professor of neurosurgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. She has a professional interest in minimally invasive surgery and spinal fusion and instrumentation. Her clinical interests also include tumors, fractures, instability, infections and degenerative disorders of the spine as well as spinal stenosis. Dr. Wang earned her medical degree at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Ill. She completed her residency at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver and her spine fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Julie M. Wehner, MD (Illinois Sportsmedicine and Orthopaedic Centers, Glenview, Ill.). Dr. Wehner is a member of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Medical Society and Illinois Orthopaedic Society. She provides care at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. She is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and she has a professional interest in conditions of the back and spine. She earned her medical degree at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Ill. She completed her orthopedic surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Ill., where she also completed her spine surgery fellowship.

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