A new model of care

The spine is a complex structure that supports virtually all daily activities. When disorders like arthritis, herniated discs or scoliosis compromise it, the impact on a person’s quality of life is significant. 

The UH Spine Institute addresses this challenge with a comprehensive approach, prioritizing the patient’s entire lifestyle, not just the damaged disc or vertebra.

For the thousands of Northeast Ohio residents facing chronic back and neck pain, a new standard of care is emerging at the nationally recognized UH Spine Institute. The institute is moving beyond traditional surgical solutions, offering a model built on technological innovation, collaborative expertise and a holistic view of patient recovery.

“We understand that spinal pain affects your whole life, which is why our specialists design a holistic plan—not just a surgical one,” explains Gabriel Smith, MD, a fellowship-trained, board-certified neurosurgeon at University Hospitals who is the medical co-director of the University Hospitals Spine Institute. “Our goal is always to get people back to living, working, and moving without chronic pain.”

The Power of Collaboration

The team treating a patient’s spinal condition extends far beyond the operating room. The UH Spine Institute brings together leading experts from neurosurgery, orthopedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain management, and rheumatology. This multidisciplinary group collaborates closely, using the latest clinical advances to manage complex spinal pathologies.

“This isn’t just a group of specialists working near each other,” says Dr. Smith. “It’s an integrated team driven by the latest research. Our shared expertise allows us to offer therapeutic options and precision care that simply aren’t available at centers without this level of dedication to collaboration and innovation,”

Technology That Transforms Surgery 

A key factor in the institute’s success is its adoption of cutting-edge surgical technology. Surgeons at UH are utilizing the Mazor X Stealth Robotic Guidance System for minimally invasive spine procedures. This system allows for an unprecedented level of precision by creating a surgical blueprint tailored to the patient’s individual spine anatomy. This enhanced accuracy translates directly to patient benefit: less discomfort, minimal blood loss, and significantly shorter recovery times compared to conventional surgery.

“This isn’t just technology; it’s surgical personalization, ensuring the highest level of accuracy for the best possible outcome,” says Dr. Smith. 

At the UH Spine Institute, the focus remains clear: providing a path to lasting relief through world-class technology and collaborative, patient-centered care.

To learn more about the advanced treatment options available at the University Hospitals Spine Institute, visit UHhospitals.org/Spine.