Charles A. Popkin, MD

Dr. Michael G. Vitale specializes in the non-operative and operative treatment of complex pediatric scoliosis and other spinal disorders, and performs approximately 200 scoliosis procedures every year, half of which are in children less than 8 years of age. Dr. Vitale has a special interest in innovative treatments for younger children with scoliosis, including the use of a magnetic spine lengthening device (“MAGEC”) which eliminates the need to perform repeat spinal surgeries every 6-9 months on growing children, non-fusion procedures such as vertebral stapling and vertebral tethers, “growing rods,” and the “Shilla” procedure. As part of his commitment to innovation in Scoliosis treatment, Dr. Vitale helps to lead the Children’s Spine Study Group, which conducts extensive multicenter international research focused on improving the care of young people with scoliosis. Dr. Vitale also leads the Conservative Treatment of Scoliosis Center, with Co-Director Hagit Berdishevsky. One of the only programs of its kind, the Center focuses on avoiding surgery with attention to scoliosis specific Schroth physical therapy and state-of-the art expert brace options including the Rigo System Cheneau brace. For the youngest children with scoliosis, Dr. Vitale runs an active Mehta casting program and has successfully used this method to reverse spinal curvature in numerous patients. For those who need surgery, Dr. Vitale, also the Chief Quality Officer for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, has a focus on making sure every procedure is done in the safest possible way. In fact, Dr. Vitale has written extensively on best practices in the care of patients with scoliosis. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Vitale serves as director of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Research Group and leads the clinical research team in their efforts, which are often funded by multi-year grants, published in leading medical journals, and presented at national and international conferences. Under Dr. Vitale’s leadership, the group has published over 150 peer reviewed publications in the field. In recognition of his clinical and academic leadership, Dr. Vitale has received numerous national awards from the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America including the Arthur H. Huene Memeorial Award, the Angela M Kuo Award Young Investigator Award, the Robert Hensinger Scientific Paper Award, as well as the Hansjorg Wyss Research Award, the Frank Stinchfield Research Award, the Rosamond Kane Award in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, and the Harrison Mclaughin Award. Dr. Vitale also serves numerous roles in the national governance of the field – currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, chairing the International Pediatric Orthopaedic Society, leading the efforts of the Scoliosis Research Society on Advocacy for Unmet Needs of Children for Pediatric Medical Devices, serving on the Executive Committee of the Children’s Spine Study Group, and is a Member of the prestigious International Pediatric Orthopaedic Think Tank. Dr. Vitale is the recipient of the Castle Connolly Top Doctors award for 5 consecutive years and has been named Top 50 Physicians in the US in the area of Scoliosis Care by Becker’s Spine Review. An avid skier, marathon runner and recreational triathlete, Dr. Vitale’s biggest pleasure is spending his free time with his wife and four Sons.

William N. Levine, MD is a nationally and globally renowned specialist in arthroscopic and open shoulder, elbow, and knee surgery, and sports medicine. He is Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he holds the Frank E. Stinchfield Professorship in Orthopedic Surgery and serves as Chief of the Orthopedics Service at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Levine previously served the Department as Vice Chairman for Education, Residency and Fellowship Director, Chief of the Shoulder Service, and Co-Director of the Center for Shoulder, Elbow and Sports Medicine. In 2024, Dr. Levine was awarded the inaugural American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Foundation's Founders Legacy Award in Leadership honoring Dr. Louis U. Bigliani. The peer-nominated awards recognize outstanding members who demonstrate the core characteristics of the organizations original founders: Leadership, Service, Diversity and Mentorship. After serving as Head Team Physician for Columbia University athletics for 25 years, Dr. Levine retired from the role in late-2023. Under his guidance, the department's surgeons also function as Team Physicians for the New York Yankees, the Rockland Boulders, Fordham University, Manhattan College, City College of New York, as well as over 25 high schools. Dr. Levine is a consultant for the National Hockey League Players' Association and chairs the Shoulder and Elbow subcommittee for the National Football League. As a former teaching tennis professional and the starting goalie for Stanford University's club hockey team, Dr. Levine is passionate about sports medicine and dedicated to patient care. He has been named a “Top Doctor in Sports Medicine” by Castle Connolly and New York Magazine, and one of the top 25 shoulder surgeons in the United States by Orthopedics This Week. Dr. Levine is a past member of the Executive Committee of the American Orthopedic Association, the world’s first orthopedic association and the organization primarily responsible for the development of orthopedics as a discipline separate from general surgery. He also served on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, the governing body overseeing licensure and training of orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Levine is the Editor-in-Chief Emeritus for the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He also received the prestigious American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon's Traveling Fellowship. Dr. Levine is a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, the Herodicus Society, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. He has made substantial contributions to research, having published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, written over 50 book chapters, edited 11 textbooks, and given over 400 scientific presentations in the United States and abroad. He holds multiple patents and research grants. A native of Fargo, North Dakota, he received a B.A. in Human Biology from Stanford and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Case Western Reserve. He was a resident in orthopedic surgery at Tufts Medical Center and held fellowships at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in Shoulder Surgery and the University of Maryland in Sports Medicine. He joined Columbia's Department of Orthopedic Surgery in 1998, became Residency Director in 2002, and in 2006 was awarded the Charles S. Neer, M.D. Teacher of the Year Award for his enthusiasm, passion, and dedication to resident education. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and two daughters.

Dr. Roshni Rao, a renowned expert in breast care, is the chief of the Breast Surgery Program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. A skilled surgeon who is passionate in her commitment to breast health and her patients, Dr. Rao has expertise in the treatment of breast cancer that has spread to the areas surrounding the breast, known as locally advanced breast cancer; in addition to breast cancer that has spread further to other parts of the body, metastatic breast cancer. Her groundbreaking research includes the positive effects of exercise for patients with breast cancer who are preparing for surgery, and the impact of ethnicity on the risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer (when the three receptors known to fuel most breast cancers; estrogen, progesterone, and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; are not present in the cancer tumor). Dr. Rao oversees the breast cancer surgery program at the Comprehensive Breast Center of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, a multi-site, multi-disciplinary entity that incorporates the legacy of innovation and trust associated with the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. She collaborates closely with its team of specialists across every discipline, including radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, plastic surgeons and other breast cancer support staff. Dr. Rao was repeatedly recognized with awards for her leadership at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where she served as the director of the George N. Peters Center for Breast Surgery prior to joining NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia. She was elected by her peers to be a "Best Doctor" in breast surgery every year from 2009 to 2017. Dr. Rao received her medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. She completed a general surgery residency at Baystate Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in breast surgical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology. She is currently the chair of the Patient Safety and Quality Committee for the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Dr. Rao serves as a reviewer for the Journal of the American Medical Association and the Annals of Surgical Oncology, and has served as a reviewer for Cancer and other journals. Her work has been published in these journals and many other surgical and oncology publications.