About Volker K. H. Sonntag, MD
Dr. Volker K. H. Sonntag retired in 2010. He was a Professor of Clinical Surgery at the University of Arizona and the Vice-Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the Barrow Neurological Institute. At the Institute, he was also Chairman of the Spine Section and Director of the Residency Program.
Dr. Sonntag earned a medical degree from the University of Arizona School of Medicine. His post-graduate training included an internship at the Arizona Medical Center and a neurosurgical residency and Chief Residency at Tufts New England Medical Center Hospital. Dr. Sonntag was awarded the first College of Medicine Alumni Medal in 1987 from the University of Arizona for outstanding recognition and accomplishments post graduation. Throughout Dr. Sonntag's career, he received many awards. Most recently he was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Award from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons Joint Spine Section.
As an active member of numerous professional organizations, Dr. Sonntag served on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. He was also President of the North American Spine Society. Other memberships include: The Alpha Omega Alpha Society, American Academy of Neurological Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Neurosurgical Society of America, and the Society of Neurological Surgeons.
Publishing and presenting research were an important part of Dr. Sonntag's career. He edited four medical books on spine surgery and contributed 48 chapters to medical books, 173 articles to refereed journals, 42 articles to non-refereed journals, 54 abstracts, and 47 posters. Additionally, Dr. Sonntag contributed 81 letters, comments, and book reviews to professional journals. His presentations included nearly 600 meetings in the US and internationally. He has been honored with many visiting professorships, most recently at the University of California Los Angeles.
