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A conversation with Jeffrey A. Goldstein, MD

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In this issue, Spine Surgery Today poses five questions to Jeffrey A. Goldstein, MD. Dr. Goldstein is the director of Spine Service NYU Langone Medical Center Hospital for Joint Diseases, and director of Spine Fellowship NYU Langone Medical Center Hospital for Joint Diseases.

Jeffrey A. Goldstein

Dr. Goldstein’s research focus includes  biomedical materials and devices. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. He is a member of the North American Spine Society, Cervical Spine Research Society, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, Scoliosis Research Society, American Orthopaedic Association, and the Lumbar Spine Research Society.

Dr. Goldstein graduated from the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center at Brooklyn where he graduated summa cum laude with distinction in research. He was trained in orthopedic surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland and completed a fellowship in the treatment of spinal disorders of the spine at the Maryland Spinal Reconstructive Fellowship Program in Baltimore.

Spine Surgery Today: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

Jeffrey A. Goldstein, MD: My greatest influences in life have come from my mentors and teachers. My first teachers were my parents who are actually both retired teachers. My father taught me many things, including the need to strive for excellence and never accept mediocrity, and to never give up until you have reached your goals. Professionally, I have had the privilege to learn from several of the leaders in our field including Henry H. Bohlman, MD, and Victor M. Goldberg, MD, at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland.

You can learn from everyone. Some teach by lecture and others by example. At NYU Langone Medical Center’s Hospital for Joint Diseases, our department chairman, Joseph D. Zuckerman, MD, and spine chief, Thomas J. Errico, MD, provide ongoing opportunities for growth and development. Our Spine Division is very cohesive with a noticeable collegiality, and I have the opportunity to learn from my colleagues as well as our spine fellows daily.

Spine Surgery Today: What was the defining moment that led you to your field?

Goldstein: I entered a general surgery residency out of medical school with the intention of becoming a reconstructive surgeon. It was not until my surgical internship at Case Western Reserve that I had a significant exposure to orthopedics. As luck would have it, a position opened up during my internship and it was offered to me by Dr. Goldberg. This was a defining moment for which I am forever grateful. My exposure to spine by Dr. Bohlman and the members of the Spine Service and my fellowship with Paul McAfee, MD, solidified my career path.

Spine Surgery Today: What area of research in spine surgery most interests you right now? Why?

Goldstein: There are several areas of research which are expanding at this time. Biologics and stem cells remain in their infancy. We are just beginning to understand the importance of spinal deformity and sagittal alignment. We now have implants which help us as surgeons improve sagittal alignment by improving lordosis. At NYU Langone’s Hospital for Joint Diseases we have an active group led by Dr. Errico, Frank Schwab, MD, and Virginie Lafage, PhD, who are helping us understand the fundamentals of sagittal alignment and how it affects health-related quality of life outcomes.

I also have an interest in biomaterials and the effect of surface structure on bony ingrowth. We can now design surfaces and provide a surface microstructure which can both promote and program bony ingrowth and enhance fusion.

Spine Surgery Today: Have you ever been fortunate enough to witness or to have been part of medical history in the making? If so, please explain.

Goldstein: There may be various opinions regarding the utility and benefits of motion preservation and artificial disc replacement. I think many would agree that the introduction of lumbar and cervical spine arthroplasty had considerable historical significance. Clinically, motion preservation was more broadly introduced to our field. There were several prospective randomized clinical trials demonstrating the outcomes of motion preservation surgery in addition to cervical and lumbar spine fusion. CMS opined on coverage determinations regarding spine surgery procedures, which subsequently led to coverage determinations by private carriers. At NYU Langone’s Hospital for Joint Diseases, we were investigators in both the cervical and lumbar ProDisc trials.

Spine Surgery Today: What are your hobbies outside of practicing medicine?

Goldstein: With a busy academic and clinical practice, life outside of medicine revolves around my family. I look forward to spending time with my wife and two young children. I often say my kids are the funniest people I know (aside from myself, of course). My family helps keep me grounded. They are continuous reminders for me about what is important.