As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery, I am committed to delivering care that is honest, individualized, and genuinely in the best interest of each patient. Spine surgery is a particularly nuanced field. For the same condition, a patient may receive widely varying recommendations from different surgeons — a reflection of differences in training and surgical philosophy, variation in expertise and comfort, the often unforgiving nature of spinal anatomy, and an ever-evolving evidence base. I recognize how unsettling this can be. My role, as I see it, is to provide guidance rooted in what I truly believe is best for your health, function, and quality of life.

My fellowship training at the University of Calgary — a combined orthopedic and neurosurgical spine program and one of the premier spine centers in North America — was foundational to how I practice. Training within the Canadian healthcare system, at a large tertiary referral center serving a vast region, I was exposed to the full spectrum of spine surgery. But what made Calgary exceptional was not just the volume or variety of cases, but the culture of collegial debate. Every week — often every day — I was part of conversations amongst experienced surgeons with different training backgrounds and perspectives, openly discussing how best to approach a patient's care. That kind of intellectual dialogue is rare in surgical training, and it is perhaps the most powerful education a spine surgeon can receive.

That experience shaped my philosophy. I generally take a conservative approach — surgery is rarely the first answer. But my fellowship experience gave me the technical capability and curiosity to take on difficult problems when needed. I want every patient to benefit from both careful judgment that avoids unnecessary intervention, and confidence and willingness to act decisively and with a minimal footprint when the situation allows for this.