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Nicholas A. Shepard, M.D.Fellowship Trained Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
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Dr. Nicholas A. Shepard is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery. His clinical interests include degenerative disorders of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, as well as treatment of spinal tumors and adult spinal deformities. He specializes in minimally invasive techniques in spine surgery.

He completed his undergraduate degree in Human Science at Georgetown University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He subsequently received his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. Dr. Shepard completed his orthopedic surgery residency at New York University (NYU) Langone Orthopedic Hospital, formerly NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. He completed a spine surgery fellowship at the internationally renowned Midwest Orthopedics at Rush University Medical Center, where he underwent extensive training in minimally invasive spine surgery and cutting-edge techniques including the use of robotics, computer navigation, and 3D augmented reality in spine surgery.

Dr. Shepard remains active in the academic community having authored over 35 peer reviewed publications, presentations and abstracts, as well as multiple book chapters. His work has been presented at both national and international meetings. and he is also the first spine surgeon in Tennessee to use advanced augmented reality technology during spine surgery.

In his free time, Dr. Shepard enjoys staying active, fishing, hiking, golf, and traveling.

 

Trained in Top Orthopedic & Spine Programs

  • NYU
  • Rush
  • Albert Einsten College of Medicine
  • Georgetown University

EDUCATION

  • Medical School
    Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York M.D. 2011-2015
  • Undergraduate
    Georgetown University, Washington, DC B.S. in Human Science, magna cum laude, 2007-2011

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING

  • Fellowship
    2020-2021
    Spine Surgery Fellowship, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
  • Residency
    2015-2020
    Orthopedic Surgery, New York University Langone Orthopedic Hospital (Hospital for Joint Diseases) New York, NY

PHYSICIAN EMPLOYMENT

  • 2021-Present
    Attending Spine Surgeon, Tennessee Orthopedic Alliance Murfreesboro, TN

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

  • 2020-2021
    Clinical Instructor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center Chicago, IL

AWARDS AND HONORS

ISASS21 Young Surgeon Grant

Medical School

  • Alpha Omega Alpha
  • 1st Place Poster Presentation Competition - Nassau Surgical Society and Brooklyn and Long Island Chapter of the American College of Surgeons

Undergraduate

  • USA Rugby College Academic Honor Roll

Georgetown University Dean’s List  

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

  • AO Spine
  • North American Spine Society (NASS)
  • American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS)
  • International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS)
  • Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Society

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

  1. Passias PG, Fernandez L, Horn SR, Ihejirka YU, Wang E, Vasques-Montes D, Shepard NA, Segreto FA, Bortz CA, Brown AE, Pierce KE, Alas H, Lafage R, Neuman BJ, Sciubba DM, Afthnios J, Lafage V, Schoenfeld AJ. Bariatric Surgery Lowers Rates of Spinal Symptoms and Spinal Surgery in a Morbidly Obese Population. Clin Spine Surg. (Accepted)
  2. Rush A III, Shepard N, Nolte M, Siemionow K, Phillips F. Augmented Reality in Spine Surgery: Current State of the Art. Int J Spine Surg. (Accepted)
  3. Baker JD, Baig Y, Siyaji ZK, Hornung AL, Zavras AG, Mallow M, Zbeidi S, Shepard NA, Sayari AJ. Assessing the Quality and Credibility of Publicly Available Videos on Cervical Fusion: Is YouTube a Reliable Educational Tool?.. Int J Spine Surg. 2021; 15(4): 669-675.
  4. Shepard NA, Rush AJ, Scarborough NL, Carter AJ, Phillips FM. Demineralized Bone Matrix in Spine Surgery: A review of Current Applications and Future Trends. 2021; 15(S1): 113-119.
  5. Shepard NA, Protopsaltis TS, Kim Y. Endoscopic Spine Surgery: A Comprehensive Review. Bull Hosp Jt Dis. 2021; 79(1): 35-42.
  6. Mallow GM, Siyaji ZK, Galbusera F, Espinoza-Orias AA, Giers M, Lundberg H, Ames C, Karppinen J, Louie PK, Phillips FM, Pourzal R, Schwab J, Sciubba DM, Wang JC, Wilke HJ, Williams FMK, Mohiuddin SA, Makhnii M, Shepard NA, An HS, Samartzis D. Intelligence Based Spine Care: A New Era of Research and Clinical Decision-Making. Global Spine J. 2021;11(2): 135-145.
  7. Howard EP, Morris JN, Schachter E, Schwarzkopf R, Shepard N, Buchanan ER. Machine-Learning Modeling to Predict Hospital Readmission Following Discharge to Post-Acute Care. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2021;S1525-8610
  8. Horn SR, Segreto FA, Bortz C, Vasquez-Montes D, Egers MI, Line BG, Oh C, Moon J, Ramos RDG, Vira S, Diebo BG, Frangella NJ, Stekas N, Liu TC, Shepard NA, Horowitz JA, Hassanzadeh H, Bendo JA, Lafage R, Lafage V, Passias PG, ISSG. Hospital-Acquired Conditions Occur More Frequently in Elective Spine Surgery than for Other Common Elective Surgical Procedures. J Clinc Neurosci. 2020; 76: 36-40.
  9. Shepard N, Samim M, Kim Y, Razi A. A Practical Approach to Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging. JBJS Rev. 2020;8(3):e0099
  10. Lall A, Shepard N, Greenbaum S, Doerre T, Wilson S, Kulick RG. Isolated Carpal Dislocation of the Pisiform with Distal Radius Fracture in Two Adults: A Rare Entity. J Hand Microsurg. 2020;12(3):215-218.
  11. Shepard N, Pham H, Natarajan V, Errico T, Rieger M. Use of a Novel Computerized Drill for Pedicle Screw Insertion in the Thoracic and Lumbar spine: A Cadaveric Study. Int J Spine Surg. 2019;13(4):329-335.
  12. Horn SR, Pierce KE, Oh C, Segreto FA, Egers M, Bortz C, Vasquez-Montes D, Lafage R, Lafage V, Vira S, Steinmetz L, Ge DH, Buza JA, Moon J, Diebo BG, Alas H, Brown AE, Shepard NA, Hassanzadeh H, Passias PG. Predictors of Hospital-Acquired Conditions are Predominately Similar for Spine Surgery and Other Common Elective Surgical Procedures, With Some Key Exceptions. Global Spine J. 2019;9(7):717-723.
  13. Shepard N, Mundluru S, Deshmukh A. Implant fracture of the Emperion modular femoral stem at the stem-sleeve interface. Int J of Orth. 2019; 28; 6(2):1066-1069.
  14. Chan J, Shepard N, Cho W. Biomechanics and Clinical Application of Translaminar Screw Fixation in Spine: A Review of the Literature. Global Spine J. 2019; 9(2):210-218.
  15. Shepard N, Cho W. Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniation: A review. Global Spine J. 2019;9(2):202-209.
  16. Amaro E, Shepard N, Moss L, Karamitopoulos M, Lajam C. Vaping and Orthopedic Surgery: Review of Current Knowledge. JBJS Rev. 2019; 7(1):e5.
  17. Passias P, Bortz CA, Pierce KE, Segreto FA, Horn SR, Vasquez-Montes D, Lafage V, Brown AE, Ihejirika Y, Alas H, Varlotta C, Ge DH, Shepard N, Oh C, Delsole EM, Jankowski PP, Hockley A, Diebo BG, Vira S, Sciubba DM, Raad M, Neuman BJ, Gerling MC. Decreased Rates of 30-Day Perioperative Complications Following ASD-Corrective Surgery: A Modified Clavien Analysis of 3,300 Patients from 2010-2014. J Clin Neurosci. 2019; 61:147-152.
  18. Eftekhary N, Shepard N, Wiznia D, Iorio R, Long W, Vigdorchik J. Metal Hypersensitivity in Total Joint Arthroplasty. JBJS Rev. 2018; 6(12):e1.
  19. Passias PG, Horn SR, Vasquez-Montes D, Shepard N, Segreto FA, Bortz CA, Poorman GW, Jalai CM, Wang C, Stekas ND, Frangella NJ, Deflorimonte C, Diebo BG, Raad M, Vira S, Horowitz JA, Sciubba DM, Hassanzadeh H, Lafage R, Afthinos J, Lafage V. Prior Bariatric Surgery Lowers Complication Rates following Spine Surgery in Obese Patients. Acta Neurochir. 2018;160(12):2459-2465.
  20. Passias PG, Segreto FA, Bortz C, Horn S, Frangella N, Diebo B, Hockley A, Wang C, Shepard N, Lafage R, Lafage V. Fatty Infiltration of Cervical Spine Extensor Musculature: Is there a Relationship with Cervical Sagittal Balance?. Clin Spine Surg. 2018; 31(10):428-434
  21. Horn SA, Shepard N, Vasquez-Montes D, Bortz CA, Segreto FA, De La Garza Ramos R, Goodwin CR, Passias PG. Chiari Malformation Clusters Describe Differing Presence of Concurrent Anomalies Based on Chiari Type. J Clin Neurosci. 2018. 58:165-171.
  22. Horn S, Shepard N, Poorman G, Bortz C, Segreto F, Janjua M, Diebo B, Vira S, Passias P. National Trends in the Prevalence, Treatment and Associated Spinal Diagnoses Among Pediatric Spondylolysis Patients. Bull Hosp Jt Dis. 2018;76(4):246-251.
  23. Horn SA, Dhillon ES, Poorman GW, Tishelman JC, Segreto FA, Bortz CA, Moon JY, Behery O, Shepard N, Diebo BG, Vira S, Passias PG. Epidemiology and National Trends in Prevalence and Surgical Management of Metastatic Spinal Disease. J Clin Neurosci. 2018; 53:183-187.
  24. Cho W, Shepard N, Arlet V. The Etiology of Congenital Scoliosis: Genetic vs. Environmental – A report of Three Monozygotic Twin Cases. Eur Spine J. 2018; 27(Suppl 3):553-557.
  25. Shepard NA, Shenoy K, Cho W, Sharan A. Extensive Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum Treated with Triple Stage Decompression: A Case Report. The Spine Journal. 2015; 15(4):e9-14
  26. Umesh M, Shepard N, Cho W, Sharan A. Conservative management of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. Seminars in Spine Surgery. 2014; 26(4):225-229

BOOK CHAPTERS

  1. Shepard NA, Colman M. (2021). Multidisciplinary Planning for Treatment of Chordoma in Chordoma of the Spine: A Comprehensive Review, ed. Sciubba DM and Schwab J. Springer, Cham.
  2. Shepard N, Tejwani N. (2020). Sacral Insufficiency Fractures in Vertebral Compression Fractures in Osteoporotic and Pathologic Bone, ed. Razi AE and Hershman SH. Springer, Cham.

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS

  1. Shepard NA, Siyaji ZK, Sullivan TB, Rush A, Phillips FP, An HS. Risk Factors for Index Level Fusion Following Lumbar Microdiscectomy. Poster Presentation, NASS Annual Meeting. Boston, MA, 2021.
  2. Shepard NA, Siyaji ZK, Sullivan TB, Rush A, Bhattaram R, Goldberg E, Phillips FP, An HS. AO Spine North America Fellows Forum. Virtual Presentation. 2021.
  3. Rush A III, Siyaji Z, Shepard N, Sullivan TB, Sayari A, Baker J, Zavras A, Basques B, Phillips F. Comparison of Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing One- and Two-Level Minimally invasive Lumbar Discectomy. O Spine North America Fellows Forum. Virtual Presentation. 2021.
  4. Shepard N, Schachter E, Morris J, Schwarzkopf R. Post-acute Care Analysis after Total Joint Arthroplasty: Characteristics, Readmission, and Alternatives for Patients that Receive Home Health Services. Poster Presentation, AAOS Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV, 2019.
  5. Passias P, Horn S, Segreto F, Bortz C, Vasuqez-Montes D, Shepard N, Lafage R, Lafage V. Preoperative Planning and Patient-Specific Rods Improve Radiographic Outcomes Following Spine Surgery. Poster Presentation, AAOS Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV, 2019.
  6. Passias PG, Horn SR, Segreto FA, Bortz C, Shepard N, Vira S, Diebo B, Lafage R, Lafage V. Hospital-Acquired Conditions Occur More Frequently in Elective Spine Surgery than for other Common Elective Surgical Procedures. Podium Presentation, AAOS Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, 2019.
  7. Passias PG, Horn SR, Bortz C, Segreto FA, Vasuqez-Montes D, Line B, Oh C, De la Garza Ramos R, Moon JY, Arnold PM, Vira SN, Diebo BG, Stekas N, Frangella NJ, Liu TC, Shepard N, Horowitz JA, Lafage R, Hassanzadeh H, Bendo JA, Lafage V. Hospital-Acquired Conditions Occur More Frequently in Elective Spine Surgery than for other Common Elective Surgical Procedures. Poster Presentation, NASS Annual Meeting, Las Angeles, Ca, 2018.
  8. Chao E, Reddy SH, Stone ME, Nafday A, Shepard N, Teperman S. Massive Transfusion Protocol Decreases Length of Stay and Facilitates Closure of Open Abdomens in Damage Control Surgery. Poster Presentation, Naasau Surgical Society and Brooklyn and Long Island Chapter of the American College of Surgeons Annual Clinic Day. Uniondale, NY, 2012.
  9. Diener PS, Hurd WG, May T, Shepard N, Williford K, Dai H, Carpenter S, Sheng D, Ewing M, Karli S, Worku B, Ysambart N. Determining Best Practice for Treating Motor Symptoms in Rett Syndrome. Poster Presentation, International Rett Syndrome Scientific Symposium. Leesburg, VA, 2011.
  10. Shepard N, Cho W, Sharan A. Conservative management of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. Seminars in Spine Surgery. 2014; 26(4):225-229

PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS

  1. Siyaji ZK, Shepard NA, Sullivan TB, Rush A, Phillips FP, An HS. Risk Factors for Index Level Fusion Following Lumbar Microdiscectomy. Spine J. 2021;21(9):S
  2. Passias PG, Bortz C, Pierce KE, Alas H, Brown A, Shepard N, Janjua MB, Park P, Nikas DC, Buza JA, Hockley A, Frempong-Goadu AK, Vasquez-Montes D, Diebo BG, Gerling MC. Discrepancies in the surgical management of central cord syndrome: assessment of nonoperative, surgical, and crossover to surgery patients. Spine J. 2019;19:S8
  3. Horn SR, Segreto FA, Bortz C, Vasquez-Montes D, Egers MI, Line BG, Oh C, Moon J, Ramos RDG, Vira S Diebo BG, Frangella NJ, Stekas N, Liu TC, Shepard NA, Horowitz JA, Hassanzadeh H, Bendo JA, Lafage R, Lafage V, Passias PG, ISSG. Hospital-Acquired Conditions Occur More Frequently in Elective Spine Surgery than for Other Common Elective Surgical Procedures. Spine J. 2018;18:S47
  4. Shepard N, Cho W, Sharan A. Conservative management of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. Seminars in Spine Surgery. 2014; 26(4):225-229

MULTIMEDIA PUBLICATIONS / LECTURES

  1. Revision Spine Surgery: Strategies and Principles for Handling Difficult Revision Surgery Webinar. Seattle Science Foundation. Presented online March 2021.
  2. Solitary Spinal Metastasis: Workup and Modern Treatment Options. AO Spine Fellows Webinar. Presented online March 2021.
  3. Single Position Anterior/Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Seattle Science Foundation Webinar. Presented online October 2020.
  4. The Role of Prognostic Scoring Systems in Patients with Vertebral Metastases. ICJR.net. Published online February 2019.
  5. Metal Hypersensitivity in Total Joint Arthroplasty. ICJR.net. Published online October 2017 Shepard N, Cho W, Sharan A. Conservative management of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. Seminars in Spine Surgery. 2014; 26(4):225-229