“Wouldn’t it be great if we could bring our residents together to discuss challenging spine cases, decision-making, and current spine research?” wondered Kirk M. Thompson, MD, an orthopaedic spine specialist at Campbell Clinic, last summer.

In collaboration with Chad E. Campion, MD, a fellow Campbell Clinic colleague, and Byron F. Stephens, MD, a spine sub-specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Campbell Clinic alumnus, the Mid-South Spine Symposium was born. What started as an idea quickly grew into a major success, with plans already underway for the 2025 event.

On September 20, more than 50 practicing surgeons, fellows, residents, advanced practice providers, and industry partners gathered for the inaugural symposium. The event featured faculty from Campbell Clinic, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), and the University of Iowa. The symposium’s robust program provided participants with insights into tackling complex spine cases, assessing patients, and exploring new interventions.

“This is a terrific model of collaboration,” said Keith Williams, MD, an orthopaedic spine specialist at Campbell Clinic. David Bumpass, MD, Associate Professor in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery at UAMS, shared his enthusiasm, noting, “We are so glad to be part of this program with our staff, fellows, and residents, and to work with our I-40 spine colleagues.”

The symposium covered a range of critical topics in orthopaedic spine care, including problem-solving in spine practice, motion preservation advancements in the cervical spine, types of lumbar interbody fusion, trauma challenges and decision-making, pediatric deformities, and innovations in endoscopic spine surgery. Additionally, participants discussed strategies for building successful spine practices.

Campbell Clinic, Vanderbilt, UAMS, and the University of Iowa are renowned for their leadership in orthopaedic care, research, and education. Over the years, these institutions have developed strong expertise in orthopaedic spine care and training, further enriching the symposium’s educational value.

A special thank you to our distinguished faculty for their commitment to advancing the field of spine care:

• David B. Bumpass, MD – Vice Chair of Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery & Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
• Chad E. Campion, MD – Assistant Professor, UTHSC-Campbell Clinic Department of Orthopaedics, Campbell Clinic
• Raymond Gardocki, MD, FAAOS – Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Spine & Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Omar Medina, MD – UTHSC-Campbell Clinic Department of Orthopaedics, Campbell Clinic
• Catherine Olinger, MD, MS – Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa
• Byron F. Stephens, MD – Residency Director, Associate Professor, and Division Chief of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Kirk M. Thompson, MD – Assistant Professor, UTHSC-Campbell Clinic Department of Orthopaedics, Campbell Clinic
• Keith Williams, MD – Assistant Professor, UTHSC-Campbell Clinic Department of Orthopaedics, Campbell Clinic

Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the inaugural Spine Symposium’s industry supporters:

• Arthrex
• BioGennix
• Globus
• J&J MedTech
• Kolosis Bio
• Medtronic
• OrthoFix/SeaSpine
• Shukla Medical
• Stryker Spine/Ignite Medical

The Mid-South Spine Symposium represents an exciting new chapter in orthopaedic spine care collaboration, and we look forward to its continued growth in the years to come.