Pittsburgh, September 30, 2026 — Faculty from the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery, including David Okonkwo, MD, PhD, and Thomas Buell, MD, took part in the 2026 Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS) Annual Forum, held under the theme "Past Wisdom, Future Vision."
Dr. Okonkwo joined Chad Prusmack, MD, to lead the forum's keynote interview with NHL forward Jack Eichel. After a cervical disc injury in 2021, Eichel underwent cervical disc arthroplasty, becoming the first player in the league to have the procedure. He later won the Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal.
Dr. Buell presented in the forum's MIS Deformity session on MIS-specific nonunion risk, construct stiffness versus fusion biology, and early recognition of nonunion. He co-directs the department's CAST Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine Fellowship, where fellows train in degenerative, deformity, oncology, and trauma pathologies using open and minimally invasive reconstructive techniques.
The keynote's focus on spine care for athletes also connects to the department's sports neurosurgery training. The CAST Complex Spine and Sports Neurosurgery Fellowship pairs complex spine training with sports neurosurgery, and the Spine and Neurotrauma Fellowship offers advanced training in spinal disorders with an emphasis on acute and emergency care, including opportunities to work with professional sports teams. Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited neurosurgery residency; details are available on the department fellowships page.