DOCTOR

Specialization

1. Endoscopic & minimally invasive surgery
2. Microsurgery of neural structures
3. Deformity surgery in adults & adolescents
4. Metastases and primary tumors
5. Revisions of difficult surgeries
6. Surgery with neuromonitoring and 3D-navigation
7. His approach combines modern technology, safety and personalized care.

Short Biography

• 20 years of clinical experience in Germany in the field of spine surgery, with more than 4,000 spinal procedures, including complex deformity corrections and degenerative spine surgery.
• 5 years as Head of Deformity and Spine Surgery at a specialized center (St. Vinzenz Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany).
• Among the first surgeons in Europe to be certified with the Advanced Diploma of the European Spine Society (EUROSPINE).
• Certified with the Master Certificate in Spine Surgery by the three parent societies:
  • DWG (German Spine Society)
  • DGOU (German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery)
  • DGNC (German Society of Neurosurgery)
• 3.5 years of neurosurgical fellowship training in spine surgery at a specialized center (Clinic for Spine & Pain, Düsseldorf, Germany, PD Dr. med. J. Herdmann).
• 3.5 years of advanced training in adult and pediatric spine surgery (Spine Center Oberpfalz, Asklepios Clinic, Prof. Dr. med. K. Kafchitsas).
• Performed more than 2,000 spinal injections (epidural, periradicular, transforaminal, etc.).
• Board-certified Orthopaedic Surgeon (Medical Association of Mainz, 2013) and certified Specialist in Advanced Orthopaedic Surgery (Spezielle Orthopädische Chirurgie, Bavarian Medical Association, 2016).
• Doctor of Medicine (PhD), Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany (2013).
  Doctoral thesis: Comparative study of pull-out strength among different pedicle screw systems.
• 2020–2022: Master’s Degree Program at the Open University of Cyprus (distance learning):
  Magister Artium in Healthcare Management, final grade Excellent (9.19/10).
• 2012–2013: Postgraduate Program, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (distance learning), focusing on metabolic bone diseases, spinal disorders and injuries, and upper limb arthritis and trauma.
• Instructor of more than 50 surgeons in modern spine surgery techniques, with active participation in international training programs.
• Extensive scientific work, including publications in Greek and international peer-reviewed journals, as well as presentations at national and international conferences.

Clinical experience/ Professional experience & Postgraduate education

1. From 01.04.2021 to present Director of Deformities and Spine Surgery, St. Vinzenz Krankenhaus Düsseldorf, Germany
2. Postgraduate training in orthopedics and spinal surgery for adolescents and adults:
   • A) From 01.09.2017 – 31.03.2021: Paid Postgraduate Training as Curator A at the Spine and Pain Clinic, St. Vinzenz Krankenhaus Düsseldorf (Director: Neurosurgeon, PD Dr. med. J. Herdmann)
   • B) From 15.05.2014 – 30.08.2017: Paid Postgraduate Training as Curator A at the Oberpfalz Spine Center at Asklepios Klinik Lindenlohe, Schwandorf (Director: Orthopedic, Prof. Dr. med. K. Kafchitsas)
   • 27.11.2013 – 30.04.2014: Specialist in orthopedics and traumatology at the Center for Orthopedics and Traumatology at the University Clinic of Mainz, Universitätsklinikum Mainz (Prof. Dr. med. P.M. Rommens)
   • 01.10.2012- 27.11.2013: Resident at the Orthopedics and Traumatology Center at the University Clinic of Mainz, Universitätsklinikum Mainz (Prof. Dr. med. P.M. Rommens)
   • 15.07.2009 – 30.09.2012: Residency in Orthopedics and Traumatology at St. Marien Hospital, Mülheim a.d.Ruhr (Dr. med. S. Elenz)
   • 01.06.2008 – 30.05.2009: Residency in General Surgery, Visceral Surgery and Transplant Surgery at the University Clinic of Essen, Universitätsklinikum Essen (Prof. Dr. med. A. Paul)
   • 30.08.2007 – 31.05.2008: Residency in Orthopaedics and Traumatology at St. Anna Hospital/ Herne (Prof. G. Godolias)

Diplomas/Trainings

1. Diploma for radiation protection in tomography examinations other than CT (May 2021)
2. European Basic (September 2019) and Advanced Spine Diploma (June 2020)
3. Acupunkture Diploma A (June 2020)
4. Diploma in radiation protection in fluoroscopic skeletal procedures (July 2019)
5. Diploma in radiation protection for the whole skeleton (June 2019)
6. Diploma in Teleradiology (August 2018)
7. Since 01.05.2018 responsible for the further training of specialized orthopedic surgery at St. Vinzenz Hospital Düsseldorf
8. Master-Certificate of the German Spine Society (DWG) (September 2017)
9. Postgraduate training in specialized orthopedic surgery (December 2016)
10. Basis-Certificate of the German Spine Society (DWG) (July 2015)
11. Specialist in Orthopaedics and Traumatology (November 2013, medical association/Bezirksärztekammer Rheinessen)
12. Diploma in Radiation Protection in Emergency Diagnostic Radiology (January 2012, renewed October 2016)
13. ATLS Provider (March 2012)

Participation in clubs/companies

1. German Spine Society (DWG)
2. AO-SPINE
3. AO-TRAUMA
4. Medical Association of Thessaloniki
5. Association of Greek/Cypriot Doctors of North Rhine-Westphalia, Genesis

Postgraduate training in spine and pediatric orthopedic centers:

1. June 2018: Orlando Health Central Hospital, U.S.A., Dr. Masson, minimally invasive Spine Surgery, iMAS System
2. November 2021: Full endoscopic spine surgery, St. Anna Herne, Germany, PD Dr. med. S. Ruetten
3. February 2022: Brainlab Navigation, Helios Klinikum Siegburg, Germany, Prof. Dr. med. Gregor Stein
4. August and October 2022: Vertebral Body Tethering, Eifelklinik St. Brigida Simmerath, Germany, PD Dr. med. Per Trobisch
5. May 2025: Oberlinklinik Potsdam Germany, specialized clinic in pediatric-orthopedics/neuroorthopaedics