HOI Hosts Inaugural Spine Symposium in Newport Beach
On May 31, more than 60 spine and orthopedic surgeons, nurses, Physician Assistants, and Nurse Practitioners gathered for the inaugural Hoag Orthopedic Institute Spine Symposium. Held at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, the event featured a keynote presentation on cervical disc arthroplasty from renowned spine surgeon Rick Sasso, MD from Indiana. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Dr. Sasso also presented on the importance of trademarking and surgeon innovation. HOI-affiliated spine surgeons Drs. Jeremy Smith, Gerald Alexander, Jon White and Michael Gordon moderated the symposium and led discussions amongst their colleagues across HOI, Hoag, Providence, other California physicians and former spine fellows from Hoag Orthopedics (the research arm of HOI).
“I enjoyed dialoguing with my fellow surgeon colleagues advancing discussion on spine surgery technique and innovation,” shared Jeremy Smith MD, Division Chief of Spine at HOI. “It was great to see our former spine fellows come back as colleagues, which speaks highly of our Hoag Orthopedics Fellowship program here.”
HOI’s Spine Symposium program presenters shared advancements related to spinal surgery, discussions on the current state of robotics and augmented reality, how technology can improve surgery, speed, and outcomes along with the counter viewpoint, spinal deformity, cervical disc replacement, non-disc replacement motion preservation surgery, and complications of spine surgery.
“As the leader in spine surgery in Orange County, it was wonderful to see our HOI spine surgeons and colleagues from across the United States, discussing the future of spine care,” said Kim Mikes, CEO of HOI.
Current HOI spine surgeon fellow Jesse Caballero, MD shared, "The symposium was invigorating. It was special for me because my previous mentor, Dr. Sasso, was the keynote speaker in an event hosted by my current mentors, spine surgeons of HOI. We discussed vexing topics, fostered relationships, and encouraged each other to be the best we can be. I’m looking forward to next year's event!”
