Cedars-Sinai Redefines Spine and Orthopaedic Care

Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics Department welcomes new physicians who focus on specific areas of spine and orthopaedic health, including pediatrics, adult and non-operative care.

Earlier this year, Joseph Schwab, MD, joined Cedars-Sinai as the new director of Spine Oncology for Orthopaedic Surgery and the director of the Center for Surgical Technology and AI Research, leading the expansion of the spine oncology program, providing destination expert care for patients with challenging spine disorders.

“Our growing spine and orthopaedic teams represent an unparalleled fusion of specialized expertise dedicated to transforming patient care,” said Mark Vrahas, MD, chair of Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics. “Our newest faculty bring with them highly tailored skills that will give patients personalized care and optimal outcomes.”

Joining Schwab are three new orthopaedic specialists.

Andrew Bach, DO, a physiatrist with a focus on physical medicine and rehabilitation, specializes in non-operative solutions for spinal issues.

Motivated by personal experience, Bach is dedicated to alleviating back pain without resorting to surgery whenever possible.

During his college years, Bach grappled with back pain and was advised to undergo spine surgery. Seeking alternative opinions, he was referred to a non-operative spine specialist who successfully relieved his pain, without having to undergo unnecessary surgical procedures.

Bach aims to guide patients toward accurate diagnoses and surgical evaluations only when necessary.

“Dr. Bach's involvement is crucial to our comprehensive spine care program, focusing on non-operative approaches,” said Theodore Goldstein, MD, vice chair of the Spine Center at Cedars-Sinai. “His role includes collaborating with therapists, devising spine protocols, and infusing energy, expertise, and cohesion into the often-challenging transition from in-patient care to acute or chronic rehab as needed."

Bach holds a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Pediatric orthopaedic surgeon Amelia Lindgren, MD, brings expertise in hip dysplasia, lower extremity deformity, and skeletal dysplasia.

Lindgren will provide care at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center.

“We look forward to the contributions Dr. Lindgren will make to our shared goals and endeavors,” said David Skaggs, MD, director of Pediatric Orthopaedics at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s. and director of Spine Service. “Her expertise will allow us to provide specialized care to our growing pediatric population.”

Lindgren completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of California, San Diego, and a fellowship in pediatric orthopaedic surgery at Nemours-DuPont Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. 

Spine surgeon Christopher Mikhail, MD, specializes in healing complex spinal pathologies, including spinal deformities such as scoliosis, congenital anomalies, and degenerative scoliosis.

Mikhail's expertise in spinal deformity surgery, as well as robotics and navigation, allow him to utilize the most advanced technology for preoperative surgical planning with artificial intelligence to execute surgical plans with the highest accuracy.

Mikhail completed residency in orthopaedic surgery at the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and a combined orthopaedic and neurosurgical spine fellowship under the tutelage of Lawrence Lenke and Daniel K Riew at the Och Spine Hospital at New York Presbyterian at Columbia University, and Weill Cornell Medical Center.  

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Seeking a Second Opinion for a Spine Condition