Behrooz A. Akbarnia, M.D. is a board certified Orthopaedic Surgeon who specializes
in the treatment of spinal disorders and spinal deformity. Dr. Akbarnia has
had a highly distinguished career in the orthopaedic spine field and is respected
worldwide for his contributions to improving the treatment of patients of all
ages with spinal disorders.
Currently, Dr. Akbarnia is the Medical Director at the San Diego Center for
Spinal Disorders in La Jolla, CA. He is also a Clinical Professor in the Department
of Orthopaedics at the University of California San Diego, and Director of the
San Diego Spine Fellowship Program.
Following completion of his medical degree at Tehran University Medical School
in Iran, Dr. Akbarnia moved to the United States in 1968 to continue his training.
He completed his internship in Massachusetts, orthopaedic surgery residency
at Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY and in pediatric orthopaedic surgery at
Shriners and St. Christopher Hospitals in Philadelphia, PA.
However, the most formative part of Dr. Akbarnia's training was his completion
of the John H. Moe Scoliosis Fellowship Program at the Twin Cities Scoliosis
Center in Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Moe is considered the forefather of modern orthopaedic
spine surgery in the US, and many of his fellows, including Dr. Akbarnia, have
gone on to become leaders in the field of spinal deformity. Dr. Akbarnia notes
that the treatment principles he employs today are rooted in the knowledge,
principles and expertise he gained from Dr. Moe and his associates.
Upon completion of his training, Dr. Akbarnia rose to become Professor and
Vice Chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery at St. Louis University. Then in 1990,
he made the decision to move to the west coast and established his current practice
in La Jolla, CA.
Dr. Akbarnia's years in the San Diego area have been marked by the development
of his internationally recognized spine practice (the San Diego Center for Spinal
Disorders), further accomplishments in medical research and academics, and also
extensive involvement with community service in southern California.
Dr. Akbarnia is the Director of the San Diego Spine Fellowship program training
both North American and international spine surgeons. He has also chaired the
San Diego City Wide Spine meetings since 1997, a meeting which brings interested
physicians in the San Diego Spine community together for educational forums
and discussion.
Throughout his career, Dr. Akbarnia has received many awards and honors including
the Physician's Recognition Award (American Medical Association), the Orthopaedic
Educational Achievement Award (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons), and
the Goldstein Award for the Best Clinical Exhibit (Scoliosis Research Society).
Most recently he was listed as one of "America's Top Surgeons" by the Consumers'
Research Council of America as well as being named as a "Top Doctor" both in
2004 and 2005 by San Diego Magazine.
Dr. Akbarnia is an active member of many professional societies and organizations.
In September 2006, he concluded his term as president of the Scoliosis Research
Society (the leading society in the world for spinal deformity surgeons). A
past president of the Federation of Spine Associations and San Diego chapter
of Western Orthopaedic Association, he also is an active member of the Orthopaedic
Research Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic
Association, Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, American Academy
of Pediatrics, and North American Spine Society.
A prolific researcher and author, Dr. Akbarnia has published over 200 peer-reviewed
and invited articles and book chapters and has edited two books. He will be
the co-editor of what will soon be the first published book on the treatment
of Early Onset Scoliosis. Further, Dr. Akbarnia has traveled and presented his
research at more than 400 medical meetings around the world.
While Dr. Akbarnia's medical accomplishments are outstanding, it is his integrity
and compassion that is often most commented on by his patients. He is currently
spear-heading the development of the Growing Spine Study Group, an international
study group working to study and improve the care of young children with Early
Onset Scoliosis. He has been involved in numerous community service projects,
including leadership roles with the Neurofibromatosis Foundation, scholarship
programs for students in San Diego and in various child abuse prevention programs.
Behrooz A. Akbarnia, MD is on the Spine Universe Editorial Board.
