UC San Diego
Martin H. Pham, MD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon who focuses on the neurosurgical evaluation and treatment of spinal disorders. This includes adult scoliosis and spinal deformity, complex spinal reconstruction, robotic and minimally invasive spine surgery, motion preservation of the spine, spine tumors, and spine trauma.
Dr. Pham is part of the comprehensive spine care team at UC San Diego Health, recognized by the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery (ACSS), an honor that is based on a health care organization's commitment to providing safe and excellent care, and advancing patient outcomes.
As an associate professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery, Dr. Pham oversees the department's educational initiatives as director of medical education. He also serves as neurosurgery clerkship director and as a faculty mentor within the Department of Surgery's Master Clinician Program. In these leadership roles, he educates medical students, neurosurgical residents, and spine fellows in the principles of surgical judgment and technical excellence that exemplify the highest standards of practice at UC San Diego.
He is published extensively within the field of spinal conditions and has an active research focus in the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques with robotics platforms and patient-specific predictive modeling to advance safer evidence-based spine care. He has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed research publications, abstracts, and textbook chapters, and has presented his work at the national and international level. This recognition of his innovative contributions has drawn surgeons from across the country and around the world to UC San Diego to observe firsthand the advanced technologies and meticulous surgical techniques that define his practice.
Dr. Pham completed a fellowship in robotic, spinal deformity, and motion preservation surgery at Columbia University's New York-Presbyterian Daniel and Jane Och Spine Hospital. He also enfolded a fellowship in minimally invasive and complex spinal surgery at Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California (USC), where he completed his residency in neurological surgery. Having completed spine fellowship training with both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Pham has a comprehensive understanding of the spine that allows him to tailor his treatment to each individual using a wide range of available surgical and nonsurgical options.
He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, and the Scoliosis Research Society. Additionally, he serves on the National Spine Health Foundation's Medical and Scientific Advisory Board.
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How to Choose a Spine Fellowship: Orthopaedic
Friday, February 27, 2026
3:57 PM - 4:03 PM MST
Specialty Abstract Breakout Session 4: Trauma/Socioeconomic/Peripheral Nerve
Sunday, March 1, 2026
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM MST