This list can be used for academic or private practice interview, with the questions about academics eliminated in the private practice setting. This article was written by and provided by William Levine, MD, professor of clinical orthopedic surgery, vice chairman of education in the department of orthopedic surgery, director of the sports medicine department of orthopedic surgery, associate director of the Center for Shoulder, Elbow and sports medicine and residency program director of orthopedic surgery, Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.

Young physicians graduating from orthopedic residency and fellowship programs have many challenges ahead. They graduate with heavy debt into an uncertain healthcare environment and are expected to develop a new practice often without business or financial planning experience. With the pressure of loan repayment coupled with the zest to practice their newly-acquired skills, many surgeons enter into an employment agreement hastily and find themselves dissatisfied within a few years. For surgeons finishing orthopedic residencies, approximately 70 to 80 percent leaves their first job within two years of practice, and the rates are similar among neurological surgeons. The same is true among sports medicine subspecialists as well.

The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation announced its 2012 funding will be more than $3.1 million to support 176 educational grants and clinician development programs.

Samuel B. Adams, Jr., MD, recently received the Orthopaedic Research Society/Orthopaedic Research Education Foundation Travel Award, according to an AAOS Now report.

Here are 20 spine surgeons directing fellowship programs around the country.

Before surgeons can become providers at Laser Spine Institute, they must undergo a fellowship program where they learn the group's proprietary procedures. "The fellowship is generally three to six months where the surgeon isn't on staff but is allowed to learn and be part of our team," says Dotty Bollinger, RN, JD, CASC, chief operating officer for Laser Spine Institute. "We believe the way we do endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery is better than anyone else. We teach and train our surgeons to perform it in a way we think is best."

Here are 10 spine and neurosurgeons who have invented and hold patents for spine devices.

Here are 10 spine and neurosurgeons who have moved during the first few months of 2011.

Jonathan T. Deland, MD, chief of the foot and ankle service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, along with four other individuals, has been named to the hospital’s board of trustees, according to a hospital news release.

Steve Paragioudakis, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon and founder of Orthopedic Spine Specialists of NJ, has been named to the board of medical advisors for United Health Products, according to a company news release.