Education
Latest news
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Education
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Education
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EducationMarch 08, 2023
Congratulations to the Global Spine Diploma Program graduates first class from Indian subcontinent!
Certifying knowledge, advancing careers
AO Spine provides over 200 educational opportunities to over 13,000 spine surgeons and spine specialists worldwide
Educational resources
AO Spine Injury Classification Systems
Based on a systematic assessment and revision of the Magerl classification.
MISS curriculum
Supporting our faculty to design their MISS events based on competencies and aimed at specific target audiences
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. -
Fellowship and Spine Centers Task ForceThe Fellowship and Spine Center Task Force aims to improve patient care by bringing together learners, teachers, and experts and providing lifelong learning pathways that are innovative and inspirational. Its key objectives is to develop:
- A fellowship Curriculum and Syllabus
- Assessment strategies for fellowships
- Specialty fellowship programs
Words from our Task Force leader:
"The Fellowship and Spine Centers Task Force will create lifelong learning pathways that are innovative, inspirational, and relevant to surgeons’ needs throughout their careers. We will co-ordinate transformational change in how AO Spine delivers education, where that learning takes place, and who delivers the teaching. We will create more opportunities for mentorship and peer-to-peer learning, and enhance our global fellowships and spine center programs."
Michael Grevitt, Past Fellowship and Spine Center Task Force Leader
Task Force Members:
Emre Acaroglu
Task Force Leader and AO Spine Education Commission Chairperson
Ankara Spine Center
Ankara, TurkeyMohammed Assous
AOSpine Spine Center and Fellowship Officer Middle East
Razi Spine Clinic
Amman, JordanFernando Alvarado
AO Spine Spine Center and Fellowship Officer Latin America
Instituto de Ortopedia Infantil Roosevelt
Bogota, ColombiaAbhay Nene
AO Spine Spine Center and Fellowship Officer Asia Pacific
Lilavati Hospital
Bombay, India
Pedro Berjano
AOSpine Spine Center and Fellowship Officer Europe
IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, ItalyEric Klineberg
AO Spine Spine Center and Fellowship Officer North America
University of California
Sacramento, California
United States of America
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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 StatesAlaaEldin Ahmad
Arab Care Hospital
Ramallah, PalestineJohn DeVine
AOSpine Education Commission Member
Augusta University
Augusta, United StatesHarry Gebhard
Kantonsspital Baden, Switzerland
Luiz Gustavo
Hospital Universitario Cajuru
Curitiba, BrazilJose Manuel Ignacio
University of the Philippines
Manila, PhilippinesAlpaslan Senkoylu
Gazi University
Ankara, TurkeyMuzahem 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 StatesRichard Assaker
Centre Hospitalier Regional Universitaire
Lille, FranceMohammed Assous
AOSpine Spine Center and Fellowship Officer Middle East
Razi Spine Clinic
Amman, JordanChristoph Hofstetter
University of Washington
Seattle, United States
JinSung Kim
Spine Center
Seoul, Republic of KoreaAvelino Parajon
Hospital Universitario
Ramón y Cajal
Madrid, SpainNéstor Taboada
UNIMEC
Barranquilla, ColumbiaPaul Taylor
Spines WA
Perth, Australia
Bryan Ashman about AO Spine Education Task Forces

“The AO Spine Education Task Forces are the true engines of the Education Commission. They deliver what is needed to ensure AO Spine continues to be at the forefront of spine surgeon education.”
Bryan Ashman, Past Chairperson AO Spine Education Commission