Becker's Spine Review

9 SPINE SURGEONS ducing pain. The current reality is far from it, and a lot more scien- tific progress, research and development must happen before any of this becomes true. It should be noted that the stem cells that 'built' the discs when the fetus was developing in a uterus did so in the en- vironment of zero gravity, minimal mechanical stress and abundant nutrient and oxygen supply. To enable similar mesenchymal stem cells to do the same work with comparatively minimal nutrient and oxygen supply, in an already degenerative disc full of inflamma- tory cytokines while constantly being subjected to the mechanical stress of an upright walking adult, will take a lot of work. Despite this logic, many clinics tout stem cell treatments for back pain with minimal to no scientific basis. I would urge any patient or clinician interested in using stem cells to 'cure' back pain and spine injuries to look very carefully at the basic science and outcome studies. I am sure the day when stem cells are used effectively for spine problems will come, but a lot more work and research need to be done before that happens. Issada ongtrangan, MD. Microspine (Phoenix): ere are so many controversial topics in spine. For example, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion versus cervical total disc replacement for cervical myelopa- thy in certain age groups. e major controversy is probably in lumbar fusion above L5/S1 in terms of approaches, as there are so many: ALIF, PLIF, TPLIF, XLIF, OLIF, etc. Also, the interbody cage technology: stat- ic versus expandable, etc. Now you can find any online studies that support or [contradict] your beliefs. I am trying my best to follow a well-designed paper and not a paper sponsored by a company. At the end of the day, I look at my outcomes and stick with the approaches that give my patients the best outcomes. However, I have an open mind for new technology. n Dr. Reginald Knight joins leadership team at New York health system By Alan Condon S pine surgeon Reginald Knight, MD, was appointed senior vice president, chief physician executive for Cooperstown, N.Y.-based Bassett Healthcare Net- work, Rome Sentinel reported Nov. 10. Dr. Knight will be responsible for driving physician en- gagement, performance and alignment within the net- work. He will also work to maintain quality care, improve the patient experience, reduce clinical variation and expand access. Additionally, Dr. Knight will advance efforts around the health system's culture around diversity, equity and in- clusion. He is director of Bassett's Spine Care Institute and has served as vice president of medical affairs at A.O. Fox Hospital in Cooperstown for more than five years. n Meet the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery board of directors By Alan Condon T he board of directors of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery has selected its officers for 2020-21, as well as a new director-elect and public member director. The ABOS board of directors consists of 21 members, in- cluding 12 active directors, six senior directors, two direc- tors-elect and one public member director. Nominations to the board come from the American Orthopaedic Associa- tion, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Medical Association. Appointees for 2020-21, according to a Nov. 10 announce- ment: Michael Bednar, MD, was elected president. He is chief of hand surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in Hines, Ill., and professor of orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. John Flynn, MD, was appointed vice president. He is chair of pediatric orthopaedic surgery and chief of orthopedics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Gregory Mencio, MD, will serve as president-elect. He is professor of orthopedics and chief of pediatric orthope- dics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Ann Van Heest, MD, was elected secretary. She is profes- sor and vice-chair of education in the department of or- thopedic surgery at the University of Minnesota in Minne- apolis. Frederick Azar, MD, was re-elected treasurer for a one- year term. He is chief of staff of Campbell Clinic Orthopae- dics in Memphis, Tenn., and professor at the University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic department of orthopedic Sur- gery and biomedical engineering. Eric Conley, MD, executive vice president at Wauwatosa, Wis.-based Froedtert Health and president of Froedtert Hospital, was named the public member director. Michael Daubs, MD, chair of orthopedic surgery at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine, and Gregory Guyton, MD, director of the foot and ankle di- vision at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, were ap- pointed director-elects. n

• Cover