Dr. Alexander Tuchman, a leading spine neurosurgeon known for his expertise in adult spinal deformities, has been appointed as co-director of the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center. He will work alongside Dr. David Skaggs, the executive vice chair of Orthopaedics at Cedars-Sinai and director of Pediatric Orthopaedics at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Skaggs expressed enthusiasm about this new collaboration, highlighting their past joint efforts in research and education. He emphasized the importance of combining neurosurgical and orthopedic spine knowledge to enhance both clinical care and research at the center.
Dr. Tuchman, who joined Cedars-Sinai in 2018, is also an assistant professor of Neurosurgery. His academic journey includes medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and a neurosurgery fellowship at the University of Southern California.
Dr. Tuchman’s fascination with the complexities of adult spinal care began during his residency. He pursued specialized training to tackle conditions like scoliosis, sagittal plane deformities, and flat back syndrome. He is particularly driven by the significant impact these surgeries can have on improving patients’ quality of life. His work focuses on reconstructive spine surgery, aiming to restore function and alleviate pain, enabling patients to return to their daily lives.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Tuchman conducts research on spine surgery outcomes and treats rare spinal conditions such as achondroplasia, which affects limb growth. He emphasizes the importance of patient-centered care, advocating for open communication to ensure treatment plans align with patient needs and expectations.
Dr. Keith L. Black, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and the Ruth and Lawrence Harvey Chair in Neuroscience at Cedars-Sinai, noted that the comprehensive resources at Cedars-Sinai and the Spine Center are crucial for delivering high-quality care. He praised Dr. Tuchman’s appointment as co-director, underscoring that it signifies continued excellence and enhanced outcomes for spine surgery patients.