Skip to main content
2026 Spine Summit Main banner

    David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD

    University of Pittsburgh

    David Okonkwo, MD, PhD, is Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and Executive Vice President of UPMC Enterprises, whose mission is to commercialize innovations in health care for life changing medicine. Dr. Okonkwo is also Team Neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is Past Chair of the AANS/CNS Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care.

    Dr. Okonkwo’s clinical interests are sports medicine, traumatic injuries to the brain and spine as well as scoliosis and spinal deformity surgery. Through his patents, creativity and advice, Dr. Okonkwo has spent two decades developing technologies and treatments to transform management of concussions, traumatic brain injuries and complex spinal disorders. His innovation and commercialization efforts have yielded several medical devices now in global distribution.

    Disclosure(s): Highridge: Consultant (Ongoing)
    Royalty Recipient (Ongoing)
    NuVasive, Inc: Consultant (Ongoing)
    Royalty Recipient (Ongoing)

    Presentation(s):