The University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery is committed to offering top-tier care to our patients, extending beyond the hospital setting. In alignment with this commitment, we have established the Spine and Scoliosis Patient Support Group. This initiative is crafted to furnish a supportive and educational environment for patients and their families facing the challenges brought on by spinal disorders. The support group is meticulously structured to blend educational insights about spine health and scoliosis with exploring various care dimensions. We host quarterly gatherings featuring specialists from neurosurgery, orthopedics, physical therapy, pain management, psychiatry, and community partners, enabling patients and their loved ones to inquire about their conditions and their psychological and physical implications.
These sessions serve as a beacon of hope and understanding, illuminating the multifaceted nature of spinal conditions and the continuous journey toward recovery. After each expert presentation, the forum is opened for attendees to voice their concerns, share personal victories and setbacks, and exchange strategies for coping effectively.
The Spine and Scoliosis Patient Support Group is bolstered by the Spine Computational Outcomes Learning Institute (SCOLI), a non-profit research organization based at the University of Pittsburgh.
This support group welcomes anyone diagnosed with a spine condition or scoliosis, as well as their family members, irrespective of their hospital affiliation or stage of treatment.
Meetings are held quarterly at UPMC Presbyterian in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.
The next Spine and Scoliosis Patient Support Group meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, at 6 pm, with Diana Pinkhasova, M.D., Metabolic Bone Unit Clinical Leader in the Division of Endocrinology, serving as the special guest speaker. Dr. Pinkhasova specializes in metabolic bone health and its impact on spine conditions and scoliosis.
This meeting will be held virtually. To receive the virtual meeting link, please register at scoli.org/support and the link will be emailed to you automatically. Those interested in attending can also contact Karen Hlavac at hlavackp@upmc.edu or call 412-864-1563.
For more information on the support group, please contact Nitin Agarwal, MD, at nitin.agarwal@upmc.edu.