Education
AO Spine courses—the best in the world of spine surgeon education!
AO Spine has been leading the way in spine surgeon training for over 20 years. More than 230'000 spine surgeons around the world have already attended our courses.
The participants of an AO Spine Pan-Iberian specimen course on complex spine surgery in 2023 explain what makes AO Spine courses superior and why you should attend.
AO Spine provides over 200 educational opportunities to over 13,000 spine surgeons and spine specialists worldwide
From face-to-face practical courses to recorded webinars—AO Spine has the educational option to suit your learning needs at a time and place to fit around your other commitments.
Global Spine Diploma
The Global Spine Diploma (GSD) certifies spine surgeons’ knowledge at an international level. In addition, the 12-month online Global Spine Diploma Program will give you access to a network of spine professionals around the world, and the experience and support of global leaders in spine surgery. The diploma can also be achieved by taking the GSD Exam directly. So, there are two paths you can take, depending on your level of experience:
- GSD Program is for recently graduated spinal orthopedic or neurosurgeons.
- GSD Exam is for experienced spine surgeons.
Competency-Based Curriculum Courses
The AO Spine competency-based curriculum courses offer hands-on learning to build essential surgical competencies and elevate spine surgery standards worldwide.
Developed by global experts, these courses prioritize active engagement with faculty, combining evidence-based knowledge and practical skills to address real patient challenges. New best practices are continuously integrated into the programs.
Participants will learn, apply, and ultimately master the competencies required for effective patient care.
Educational resources
AO Spine Injury Classification Systems
Based on a systematic assessment and revision of the Magerl classification.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)
Explore the AO Spine MISS events and educational resources.
Videos and webinars
Digital teaching and learning material, webinars, and event coverage for educational purposes
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Curriculum
The AO Spine curriculum is a framework that offers a foundation for continuing development in diverse practice settings.
Fellowships
Providing additional experience in surgical techniques for fully trained orthopedic and neurosurgeons interested in spine surgery.
Education task forces
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General information
The task forces are surgeon led working groups. Most of the work is done virtually. The following criteria applies to all task force positions
- Commitment to and active engagement with AO Spine as a paying member for at least a year;
- Established regional/international AO Spine surgeon network to help obtain buy-in;
- Demonstrated experience and expertise in the specific focus area of the task force;
- Recommendation letter from a longstanding and respected AO Spine member.
Task force members are selected on merit. All interested AO Spine Members are welcome to contact the AO Spine office to discuss how they can add value to task force activities. Individual surgeons can also be recommended for a task force position. The final selection is made by the Task Force Leader and the AOSEC Chair. -
Deformity Curriculum Taskforce
AO Spine Deformity Curriculum Task Force
The Deformity Curriculum taskforce is a group of experts who build and continuously improve our educational program.
Pedro Berjano
Italy
Chair of the Taskforce
Representing Europe and Southern Africa
Luis Eduardo Carelli
Brazil
Representing Latin America
Eric Klineberg
US
Representing North America
Omar Alnori
Qatar
Representing Middle East and Northern Africa
Yong Hai
China
Representing Asia Pacific
Alpaslan Senkoylu
Representing
AO In-Hospital
Evan Davies
Representing
Global Spine Diploma
Michael Kelly
Representing
Knowledge Forum Deformity
Richard Bransford
AO Spine Education Commission Chairperson
Bryan Ashman
AO Spine Curriculum Advisor
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Educational Strategies Task ForceThe Educational Strategies Task Force aims to lead innovation in spine surgery education by delivering education that reflects the learning culture in the surgical workplace. Its key objectives are to ensure AO Spine education includes:
- Blended learning
- Hospital based events
- Hands-on courses that are realistic
- Remote access events that are low cost
Words from our Task Force leader:
"The Educational Strategies Task Force will allow AO Spine to develop and offer innovative educational programs on a variety of platforms to meet the changing needs of our members."
Steven Theiss, Educational Strategies Task Force Leader
Task Force Members:
Steven Theiss
Task Force Leader
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States
AlaaEldin Ahmad
Arab Care Hospital
Ramallah, Palestine
John DeVine
AOSpine Education Commission Member
Augusta University
Augusta, United States
Harry Gebhard
Kantonsspital Baden, Switzerland
Luiz Gustavo
Hospital Universitario Cajuru
Curitiba, Brazil
Jose Manuel Ignacio
University of the Philippines
Manila, Philippines
Alpaslan Senkoylu
Gazi University
Ankara, Turkey
Muzahem Taha
Sedram Private Hospital
Erbil, Iraq
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Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery MISS Task ForceThe MISS Task Force aims to see AO Spine become the leading educator in minimally invasive techniques and procedures and meet surgeons' needs for improved surgical outcomes and reduced morbidity. Its key objectives are based on the following focus areas:
- Target – Optimized patient selection
- Technology – Optimal combination of access, visualization, navigation, instrumentation, biologic augmentation
- Technique – Principles, approaches, neural protection, decompression, stabilization
- Training – Simulation, observation, mentorship
- Testing the boundaries – MISS for deformity, robotics.
We appreciate feedback on your local needs. To share your feedback with us, please follow this link.
If you are interested in becoming a faculty member for MISS courses, please provide us with your details here.
Words from our Task Force leader:
"The MISS Task Force spearheads the process within AO Spine to better define the role of MISS going forward, to evaluate the great variety of technologies and techniques available, and to establish successful ways to teach and train surgeons globally and at every stage of their career."
Roger Härtl, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) Task Force Leader
Task Force Members:
Roger Härtl
Task Force Leader
Weill Cornell Medical College
New York, United States
Richard Assaker
Centre Hospitalier Regional Universitaire
Lille, France
Mohammed Assous
Razi Spine Clinic
Amman, Jordan
Christoph Hofstetter
University of Washington
Seattle, United States
JinSung Kim
The Catholic University of Korea
Seoul, South Korea
Avelino Parajon
Hospital Universitario
Ramón y Cajal
Madrid, Spain
Néstor Taboada
Clinica PortoAzul
Barranquilla, Colombia
Paul Taylor
SpinesWA Mount Hospital
Perth, Australia
“AO Spine Education constantly strives to move with the latest trends and to be relevant—to make AO an even better educational organization in an increasingly challenging world and market.”
Richard Bransford, Chairperson AO Spine Education Commission
Latest news
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Education
February 14, 2025Mastering minimally invasive spine surgery with AO Spine’s new hands-on courses
Learn, apply, and master MISS -
Education
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