I’m a mother, wife, and a Spinal Champion. I’ve had lumbar and cervical procedures and surgeries. My journey continues today in improving my spine health. My treatment journey has included both non operative and operative procedures and working closely with my medical team. I’ve gotten my life back with hard work and not giving up
In her youth, Nancy Finch was tall and active, and fortunately never had to be concerned about her spine health as she balanced raising a family with demanding careers as a reporter and lobbyist. But as she got older, back pain took over Nancy’s narrative, and shifted how she lived her daily life. Everything from
I am a Family Physician in Northern VA. I was diagnosed with an unstable L2-3 disc and had to stop yoga, golf, and surfing. As a physican, I was used to sending my patients to see spine specialists, but this was my first time experiencing this type of back pain firsthand. After multiple medical and
Dr. Alexander Vaccaro graduated Summa Cum Laude from Boston College in 1983 with a B.S. in Biology. He received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine where he was promoted with “Distinction.” He earned membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Society and graduated with honors in 1987. He completed a year
I am a Performance Improvement professional, a husband & father, outdoor enthusiast, and a Spinal Champion. I’m not living if I’m not climbing a mountain, paddling a river, or riding a horse so I was devastated when I injured my back. I was diagnosed with a L3/L4 herniated disc which significantly impacted by ability
Dr. Edward Dohring has been a key figure in Arizona’s medical scene since 1993, focusing on industrial spine injuries. He founded the Spine Institute of Arizona and is renowned for his work in minimally invasive cervical and lumbar surgeries, including pioneering Arizona’s first artificial disc replacements. A Dartmouth College and Yale Medical School alumnus, Dr.
Daniel Sciubba, MD, serves as the senior vice president of neurosurgery at Northwell Health, chair of neurosurgery at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Co-Director of the Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery at Northwell Health and Chair of Neurosciences at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. A
Liz Mesmer is the Development Manager at the National Spine Health Foundation, working to advance the organization’s fundraising program and mission. Liz comes to NSHF with several years of direct fundraising experience and a passion for driving vital resources and community support to healthcare causes. Originally from Massachusetts, Liz received her B.A. in Political Science from
Jennifer Marron joined the National Spine Health Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2020, Chairing its 3rd Annual We’ve Got Your Back Gala. As a teenager, she was diagnosed with scoliosis and spent four years in a back brace. Jennifer instinctively relates to the NSHF’s mission of bringing hope to those who suffer debilitating neckand back
Patti Dunegan is the Programs Administrator at the National Spine Health Foundation. Patti is a Registered Nurse and received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at Keuka College in Penn Yan, NY. After working as a nurse in the hospital setting for many years, she became a full time mother until her children were
Lawrence Lenke, MD is one of the world’s foremost leaders in spinal deformity surgery. His world-renowned practice is devoted exclusively to spinal deformity surgery with an emphasis on complex reconstructive surgery in both children and adults for the treatment of various spinal deformities such as scoliosis, kyphosis, flatback syndrome, and other major spinal imbalances, as
Dr. Patrick Sugrue is spine surgeon who has clinical interests in Cervical Myelopathy, Spinal Reconstruction, Spine and Brain Surgery, Traumatic Spinal Disorders, and more. He sits on the National Spine Health Foundation’s Medical & Scientific Board.