University of California, San Francisco
Dr. Adam Kanter is Executive Medical Director of the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute in Newport Beach, California. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, graduating with cum laude honors. He obtained his master’s degree from Boston University and medical degree from the University of Vermont. Dr. Kanter completed his neurosurgical residency at the University of Virginia followed by a fellowship in minimally invasive spine surgery at the University of California, San Francisco and Auckland City Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. Dr. Kanter then joined the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as Director of the minimally invasive spine program. He launched and directed UPMC’s complex spine fellowship in 2012, was Board certified and named Chief of spine services in 2014, and promoted to the rank of tenured Professor in Neurological Surgery. In July 2022, Dr. Kanter relocated joined the Hoag Specialty Clinic in Newport Beach, CA. He obtained his executive MBA from UCLA and is now the Executive Medical Director of Hoag's Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute. Dr. Kanter is principal investigator in several research studies, specifically appraising the utility of minimally invasive and lateral access surgical corridors. He is a proud contributor to several research groups including the International Spine Study Group. He has published >200 papers in refereed journals in addition to authoring numerous books and book chapters. He has given more than 220 presetnations at national and international meetings, including visiting Professorships and keynote addresses at Harvard, Cornell, and Washington University. He provides editorial service to several peer reviewed journals and is a key member of several major neurosurgical societies, including past Chair of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine & Peripheral Nerves and past President of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Dr. Kanter has received numerous accolades for his clinical expertise including the Aces Award for exceptional service and care. He received the Ron & Sandi Simon Endowed Chair in 2024 and continues to shape the future of neurosurgery through his leadership, research, and mentorship. At Hoag, he is advancing a vision that integrates world-class clinical care with innovation, education, and discovery; building one of the nation’s premier neuroscience institutes and inspiring the next generation of surgeons and scientists.
Disclosure(s): Acuity, Medtronic, NuVasive: Consultant (Ongoing)
Royalty Recipient (Ongoing)
Highridge: Consultant (Ongoing)
Royalty Recipient (Ongoing)
Fusion vs. Freedom: The Motion Preservation Debate – Arthrodesis vs Arthroplasty
Thursday, February 26, 2026
3:08 PM - 3:20 PM MST
Thursday, February 26, 2026
4:00 PM - 4:08 PM MST
Con Rebuttal: RFP Hospital Vendor Contract vs. Surgeon Led Vendors
Friday, February 27, 2026
6:24 PM - 6:27 PM MST
Saturday, February 28, 2026
9:46 AM - 10:01 AM MST
Surgeon Resilience Panel Discussion
Saturday, February 28, 2026
10:02 AM - 10:20 AM MST
Special Course 6: Save Your Patient and Yourself: Complication Management
Saturday, February 28, 2026
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM MST