Michael Wang (surgeon)

Michael Y. Wang, MD (born February 4, 1971) is an American neurosurgeon, researcher, inventor, and podcaster. He is a professor of Neurosurgery & Rehab Medicine and the Director of Spine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He has served as the Chair of the AANS/CNS Spine Section www.spinesection.org, the President of the Society of University Neurosurgeons (SUNS) http://www.thesocietyofuniversityneurosurgeons.com/, and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) https://www.isass.org/. Michael is known for his contributions and research in the fields of minimally invasive spine surgery and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS).
== Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery ==
Frustrated with the morbidity of surgery, Dr. Wang pursued the development of less harmful or invasive ways to perform spinal surgeries. This led to a long journey of innovation with the development of numerous methods for treating cervical and lumbar spinal disorders. This ultimately resulted in numerous methods for treating both simple as well as complex spinal disorders such as scoliosis through less destructive methods, largely from leveraging high technology and robotics. Ultimately, these technologies were applied following the devastation of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, effectively treating severe spinal fracture-dislocations at a time when medical supplies, advanced equipment, and even electrical power were in short supply.
== Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) ==
The advent of the era of ERAS brought new opportunities in spinal surgery. While ERAS methods were born in Western Europe during the second decade of the 21st century, the science and technology was lacking in the orthopedic and neurosurgical realms. This was particularly troubling, given the painful and slow recovery associated with major musculoskeletal operations. Wang began the early work into ERAS in spinal surgery. Again, high technology was utilized as the approach, ultimately resulting in spinal care protocols that respected the tenets of ERAS: 1) treating the patient's entire journey before, during, and after surgery as essential to success; 2) exercising a multi-modal approach with nursing, anesthesia, and PT/OT as integral team members; and 3) working with a data-driven and iterative approach to improving outcomes. This resulted in evidence-based changes in patient care that reduced the hospital length of stay and acute care costs associated with spinal fusion surgeries.
== The Neurosurgery Podcast ==
In partnership with co-host John Paul Kolcun, MD, the Neurosurgery Podcast was launched in 2019. The podcast served as an outlet of informal but much sought after information for neurosurgeons and medical trainees. Presented in a casual interview style with thought leaders being interviewed, the Neurosurgery Podcast quickly became popular as a source of information and dialogue on how to confront the challenges of life as a surgeon, such as the stress associated with working long hours, seeing devastating complications, and balancing family life. Guests on the Podcast have included luminaries such as Michael LJ Apuzzo, Robert Spetzler, James Rutka, Michael Lawton, Edward Benzel, and Nelson Oyesiku. 
== References ==
Category:1971 births
Category:American neurosurgeons
Category:American inventors
Category:American medical researchers