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James J. Lynch, M.D., F.R.C.S.I | Lali
Sekhon, M.D. PhD, F.R.A.C.S., F.A.C.S. | Denis G. Patterson, D.O.
Joseph L. Olivarez,
P.A.-C | Josh Pfeifle, P.A.-C | Lisa Herz, P.A.-C
Kristen Connolly, PT, DPT
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James
J. Lynch, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Board-certified Neurological Surgeon
Fellowship-Trained Spine Surgeon
Dr. James Lynch is a board-certified neurological surgeon who
specializes in complex spine surgery, cervical disorders, degenerative spine, spinal deformities, trauma, tumor infection and
minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Lynch has practiced in
the Reno area for several years. He is on staff at St. Mary’s
Hospital, Renown Medical Center and the Surgical Center of Reno. He treats complex spine cases
across Nevada and Northern California. Dr. Lynch previously served
as the Chief of Neurosurgery at St. Mary’s Hospital in
Reno.
Dr. Lynch is a frequent lecturer at national
meetings that focus on the latest trends in spine surgery and
minimally invasive spine technology. Dr. Lynch is one of a handful
of spine surgeons with three fellowships in the specialty of
spine surgery. A fellowship is the highest level of medical training
available in the United States. |
He earned his medical degree from Trinity College in
Dublin, Ireland, followed by a residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,
Minnesota. Dr. Lynch went on to complete a spine fellowship at the
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Queens Square,
London, UK, followed by a spine fellowship at Mayo Clinic and an additional
spine fellowship under Volker Sonntag, MD, at the prestigious Barrow
Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.
As an expert in cervical disorders and minimally invasive
surgery and complex spine surgery, Dr. Lynch is on the faculty of the
Cervical Spine Study Group and other spine groups. His work has been
published in professional publications, including The Journal of
Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery and Spine. Dr. Lynch has recently been selected as one of the Best Doctors in America, 2007-2008.
Dr. Lynch is the president, founder and CEO of SpineNevada.
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Lali
Sekhon, M.D. PhD, F.R.A.C.S., F.I.C.S., F.A.C.S.
Board-certified Neurological Surgeon
Fellowship-Trained Spine Surgeon
Dr. Sekhon joined SpineNevada in 2005 from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, where he also taught neurological surgery as an associate professor at the University of Sydney and was head of Complex Spine Surgery for a hospital serving 3 million people.
Dr. Sekhon earned his undergraduate and medical degree from the University of Sydney, Australia. He also obtained a PhD in Neurosurgery. Dr. Sekhon completed a fellowship in neurosurgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, as well as a spinal fellowship at Toronto Western Hospital in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Sekhon is also a board certified neurosurgeon (FRACS ad FACS). |
Throughout the course of his training, Dr. Sekhon received numerous honors and awards including the Young Neurosurgeons Award from the World Federation of Neurosurgeons and the 2000 Outstanding Clinical Research Award from the Cervical Spine Research Society. He has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles, a dozen book chapters and almost 50 abstracts.
Dr. Sekhon is a pioneer of spine surgery, having performed the world’s first multilevel cervical artificial disc procedure, as well as being the first to reverse a cervical fusion and make it a functioning joint. He is recognized internationally for his expertise in artificial disc surgery, cervical spine disorders and spinal trauma.
Dr. Sekhon is a member over 20 professional associations including the North American Spine Society, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the Joint Section AANS/CNS Spine and Peripheral Nerve and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. He is also a member of the Spine Trauma Study Group, one of only 45 surgeons worldwide
During his career, Dr. Sekhon has presented at a multitude of national and international medical conferences. He is on the editorial board for the Journal for Spinal Disorders & Techniques, and Spine Journal and SpineUniverse. Dr. Sekhon is the co-director of SpineNevada.
Dr. Sekhon is the only AO Spine Faculty member in the Reno/Carson City Area. The AO is a worldwide orthopedic society dedicated to research, treatment and education with respect to spinal disorders. He is also an instructor to surgeons throughout North America on the Prestige artificial cervical disc. Dr. Sekhon teaches orthopedic and neurosurgeons throughout North America with the AO. He is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor for the University of Nevada, School of Medicine.
Click
here for a downloadable PDF version of Dr. Sekhon's CV.
Click here to
learn more about Dr. Sekhon.
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Denis G. Patterson, D.O.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician
Fellowship-Trained Interventional Pain Management Specialist
Dr. Patterson joins SpineNevada after successfully completing an Interventional Pain Management Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Patterson is a specialist in common and complex neurological disorders and musculoskeletal issues. He is an expert in electrodiagnostics (nerve conduction studies and electromyography) which aid in the diagnosis of nerve disorders. He utilizes nonsurgical methods such as modalities, bracing, medications, physical therapy, spinal injections and neuromodulation for the treatment of acute and chronic back pain. |
Dr. Patterson earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder and his medical degree at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. He successfully completed a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
While in residency, Dr. Patterson had a special interest in diagnostic and therapeutic uses of ultrasound for musculoskeletal disorders. He completed a research project comparing the accuracy of non-guided versus ultrasound guided injections into common peripheral joints. He presented his findings at the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation annual meeting in November of 2006.
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Physician Assistants
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Joseph L. Olivarez,
P.A.-C
Physician Assistant
Joseph Olivarez has been with SpineNevada since September of 2004. He received his certificate in PA studies in 1995 from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, in Pomona, CA.
Joseph started his career in medicine in 1985 as a Navy corpsman. He spent 4 years in the Navy working as a surgical technologist. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he continued work as a surgical technologist while pursuing his degree at Mount San Antonio College, in Walnut, California. Since becoming a PA, Mr. Olivarez has worked with both orthopedic and neurosurgical spine surgeons. He has assisted on thousands of spine surgeries in his 13 year career. |
Joseph has remained active in the education of physician assistants. He is on the adjunct faculty at Western University. He is a clinical preceptor for Western University, Samuel Merritt College Physician Assistant Program, and Touro University Primary Care Physician Assistant Program. He is as well a regular speaker and presenter at
the California Academy of Physician Assistants annual conference. Mr. Olivarez has received special recognition for achievements and knowledge of surgery and is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. He is also a Fellow member of the Association of Neurosurgical Physician Assistants and the Nevada Academy of Physician Assistants.
In his spare time Mr. Olivarez enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. He is as well an avid cyclist.
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Josh Pfeifle, P.A.-C
Physician Assistant
Josh Pfeifle, P.A.-C, joined SpineNevada in 2007. Josh also works alongside SpineNevada physicians and surgeons, assisting in all areas of patient care and management, including office visits, in-patient care and assisting in surgery.
Josh Pfeifle comes to SpineNevada from the rural farming community of Power, Montana with a particular interest in the care of patients with spinal disorder. During his training he completed an elective neurosurgery internship in Great Falls, MT.
He is a 2006 graduate of the Rocky Mountain College Physician Assistant Program, in Billings, Montana, where he earned a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies. Josh is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
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Lisa Herz, P.A.-C
Physician Assistant
Lisa Herz PA-C joins Spine Nevada as a third generation medical practitioner in Reno. She assists in all aspects of patient care from the office to the operating room, helping Spine Nevada to provide superior services to its patients.
Locally raised, Lisa completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Davis. In addition to her pre-medical coursework, she spent a year studying abroad in Spain obtaining a degree in Spanish. After leaving Reno once again for physician assistant school, Lisa is excited to be back home to carry on her family’s long tradition of medicine in Northern Nevada.
In 2007, Lisa graduated with honors from Touro University in Las Vegas, earning a Masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
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Physical Therapy
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Kristen Connolly, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Kristen joined the Physical Therapy Department at SpineNevada in 2007. She helps patients improve their quality of life through therapeutic treatment that includes manual therapy, specific exercises, and patient education.
Kristen earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences in 2006. Kristen recently completed the first part of her training in the McKenzie method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy of the Spine.
Kristen treats patients according to their individual needs to reduce pain, return to their activities, and maintain a healthier neck and back to better enjoy their lives.
Kristen is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the McKenzie Institute.
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