Ohio Valley Spine Symposium 2026

October 9, 2026

Pre-Enrollment Instructions

Participants are encouraged to pre-enroll before the symposium.

  1. Click the green Register button to pre-enroll for the Ohio Valley Spine Symposium.
  2. Once registration is complete, the Start Activity button will appear. Click Start Activity to confirm your enrollment.
  3. You will be directed to the Course Home page, where you will see confirmation that your enrollment has been recorded and that a confirmation email will be sent to the email address associated with your CECentral account.
  4. No additional action is required at this time. You may exit the activity after receiving the enrollment confirmation.
  5. Following the symposium, return to CECentral to complete the required post-activity steps and claim your continuing education credit.

Please note: Pre-enrollment does not award continuing education credit. Credit must be claimed after participation in the symposium.

 

Join leading spine care experts for the 5th Annual Ohio Valley Spine Symposium, a two-day educational event focused on improving outcomes and reducing complications in spine surgery and care. The program will feature expert presentations, interactive panel discussions, audience polling, and case-based conversations on perioperative optimization, imaging and robotics, cervical myelopathy and deformity, chronic low back pain, minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery, motion preservation, access surgery, and thoracolumbar deformity.

The symposium will include a leadership-focused panel discussion, opportunities to connect with exhibitors, and a hands-on cadaver session featuring endoscopy and robotics stations on October 10.

Attendees will enjoy breakfast, case studies, and breakout sessions. We look forward to seeing you in downtown Lexington!

Target Audience

Spine surgeons, Physical therapists, APPs, Interventional pain specialists, and Physical medicine specialists

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  1. Apply evidence-based strategies for patient selection, perioperative optimization, and surgical planning to improve outcomes across the spectrum of spine care.
  2. Integrate contemporary technologies, minimally invasive techniques, multidisciplinary care pathways, and motion-preserving interventions into clinical practice while minimizing complications.
  3. Evaluate challenging clinical scenarios using expert consensus, case-based discussion, and current evidence to optimize decision-making and improve patient outcomes.

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    In support of improving patient care, UK HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

    This Live activity is designated for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

  • 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Participation

    In support of improving patient care, UK HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

    This Live activity is designated for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Participation. Learners should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 6.25 ANCC (UK Healthcare CECentral)

    In support of improving patient care, UK HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

    The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 6.25 nursing contact hour(s).

Course opens: 
08/03/2026
Course expires: 
12/08/2026
Event starts: 
10/09/2026 - 7:15am EDT
Event ends: 
10/09/2026 - 5:10pm EDT
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5th Annual Ohio Valley Spine Symposium

Excellence in Spine Care: Strategies to Improve Outcomes and Avoid Complications
October 9, 2026
Central Bank Center | Lexington, Kentucky

Friday, October 9, 2026

7:30–8:15 AM
Breakfast and Registration / Exhibits

8:15–8:20 AM
Welcome | Opening Remarks | Review Meeting Theme

8:20–8:40 AM
Survey of Peri-operative Optimization Strategies
Emily Sieg, MD, MS
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, UofL Health

8:40–9:10 AM
Panel Discussion: Peri-operative Optimization Strategies
Moderator: Joseph Cheng, MD, MS — Endowed Chair and Professor of Neurosurgery; Associate Director, UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute, UC Health
Panelists:
Elizabeth Yu, MD — Professor of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, The Ohio State University
Jared Wilcox, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCSC — Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, UK HealthCare
Benjamin Motley, MD — Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati / UC Health

9:10–9:30 AM
Intraoperative Imaging, Navigation, and Robotics
Jared Wilcox, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCSC
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, UK HealthCare

9:30–10:00 AM
Panel Discussion: Technology vs. Fundamentals
Moderator: Benjamin Motley, MD — Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati / UC Health
Panelists:
Elizabeth Yu, MD — Professor of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, The Ohio State University
Charles Mechas, MD — Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, UK HealthCare
Mark Kayanja, MD — Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, University of Cincinnati / UC Health

10:00–10:10 AM
Coffee Break with Exhibitors

10:10–10:30 AM
Cervical Myelopathy and Deformity
Charles Mechas, MD
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, UK HealthCare

10:30–11:00 AM
Panel Discussion: Cervical Myelopathy and Deformity
Moderator: Francis Farhadi, MD, PhD — Director, Neurosurgery Spine Program, Kentucky Neuroscience Institute, University of Kentucky
Panelists:
Jared Wilcox, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCSC — Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, UK HealthCare
Rouzbeh Motiei, MD, FCNS — Associate Professor of Neurosurgery; Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery; Director of Neurosurgery Spinal Oncology, Kentucky Neuroscience Institute, UK HealthCare
Emily Sieg, MD, MS — Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, UofL Health

11:00–11:20 AM
Multimodal Management of Chronic Low Back Pain: What Works in 2026?
Michael Brock Marrs, MD
Assistant Professor of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, UK HealthCare

11:20–11:50 AM
Panel Discussion: Multimodal Management of Chronic Low Back Pain
Moderator: Rouzbeh Motiei, MD, FCNS — Associate Professor of Neurosurgery; Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery; Director of Neurosurgery Spinal Oncology, Kentucky Neuroscience Institute, UK HealthCare
Panelists:
Michael Harned, MD — Professor of Anesthesiology; Medical Director, Interventional Pain Medicine, UK HealthCare
Chris Mallard, MD — Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, UK HealthCare
Kyla Gilbert, APRN — Lead Spine Surgery APP, UK Department of Neurosurgery

11:50 AM–12:10 PM
Leadership, Lessons & Lifelong Learning – Moderated Panel Discussion
Moderator: Rani Nasser, MD — Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, UC Health
Panelists:
Rebecca Garner, MD — Neurosurgery Fellow, UC Health
Randaline Barnett, MD — Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery; Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery, UK HealthCare
Elizabeth Yu, MD — Professor of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, The Ohio State University

12:10–1:00 PM
Lunch / Exhibits

1:00–1:30 PM
Keynote: Endoscopic & MIS Pitfalls
Jang W. Yoon, MD, MSc
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery; Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Program, University of California San Francisco

1:30–1:50 PM
Panel Discussion: Endoscopic & MIS Pitfalls
Moderator: Francis Farhadi, MD, PhD — Director, Neurosurgery Spine Program, Kentucky Neuroscience Institute, University of Kentucky
Panelists:
Emily Sieg, MD, MS — Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, UofL Health
Jared Wilcox, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCSC — Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, UK HealthCare
Rani Nasser, MD — Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, UC Health

APP Breakout

1:50–2:10 PM
Motion Preservation – Lumbar Disc and Facet Replacement
Joseph Cheng, MD, MS
Endowed Chair and Professor of Neurosurgery; Associate Director, UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute, UC Health

2:10–2:40 PM
Panel Discussion: Motion Preservation
Moderator: Francis Farhadi, MD, PhD — Director, Neurosurgery Spine Program, Kentucky Neuroscience Institute, University of Kentucky
Panelists:
Charles Mechas, MD — Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, UK HealthCare
Elizabeth Yu, MD — Professor of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, The Ohio State University
Emily Sieg, MD, MS — Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, UofL Health

2:40–3:00 PM
Coffee Break with Exhibitors

3:00–3:20 PM
Anterior/Lateral Access Surgery – Complication Avoidance & Bailout Algorithms
Rouzbeh Motiei, MD, FCNS
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery; Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery; Director of Neurosurgery Spinal Oncology, Kentucky Neuroscience Institute, UK HealthCare

3:20–3:50 PM
Panel Discussion: Anterior/Lateral Access Surgery
Moderator: Jared Wilcox, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCSC — Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, UK HealthCare
Panelists:
Mark Kayanja, MD — Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, University of Cincinnati / UC Health
Francis Farhadi, MD, PhD — Director, Neurosurgery Spine Program, Kentucky Neuroscience Institute, University of Kentucky
Charles Mechas, MD — Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, UK HealthCare

3:50–4:10 PM
Thoracolumbar Deformity – Preventing High-Impact Complications with Better Planning
Rani Nasser, MD
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, UC Health

4:10–4:40 PM
Panel Discussion: Thoracolumbar Deformity
Moderator: Rouzbeh Motiei, MD, FCNS — Associate Professor of Neurosurgery; Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery; Director of Neurosurgery Spinal Oncology, Kentucky Neuroscience Institute, UK HealthCare
Panelists:
Elizabeth Yu, MD — Professor of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, The Ohio State University
Francis Farhadi, MD, PhD — Director, Neurosurgery Spine Program, Kentucky Neuroscience Institute, University of Kentucky
Joseph Cheng, MD, MS — Endowed Chair and Professor of Neurosurgery; Associate Director, UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute, UC Health

4:40–5:00 PM
Closing Remarks and Completion of Symposium Review

Central Bank Center
430 W. Vine Street
Lexington, KY
United States
Committee member(s)

Francis Farhadi, MD, PhD

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Kyla Gilbert, APRN, FNP-BC, DNP

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.
Moderator(s)

Joseph Cheng, MD, MS, FAANS, FACS

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Francis Farhadi, MD, PhD

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Rouzbeh Motiei-Langroudi, MD, FCNS

has a financial relationship (Professional Services) with DePuy Synthes;.

Rani Nasser, MD

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Jared Wilcox, BSc MSc MD PhD FRCSC

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.
Planner(s)

Francis Farhadi, MD, PhD

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.
Speaker(s)

Randaline Barnett

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Joseph Cheng, MD, MS, FAANS, FACS

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Francis Farhadi, MD, PhD

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Michael Harned

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Christopher Mallard, MD

has a financial relationship (Other Securities) with Alevio;.
has a financial relationship (Professional Services) with SI-BONE;.
has a financial relationship (Professional Services) with Ethicon;.
has a financial relationship (Professional Services) with Johnson & Johsnon;.
has a financial relationship (Professional Services) with Alevio;.
has a financial relationship (Professional Services) with Abbott;.

Brock Marrs, MD PhD

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Charles-Antoine Mechas

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Rouzbeh Motiei-Langroudi, MD, FCNS

has a financial relationship (Professional Services) with DePuy Synthes;.

Rani Nasser, MD

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Jared Wilcox, BSc MSc MD PhD FRCSC

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

In support of improving patient care, University of Kentucky HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

AMA

This live activity is designated for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ANCC credit:

The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 6.25 nursing contact hour(s).

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Participation

In support of improving patient care, UK HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

This Live activity is designated for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Participation. Learners should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity

Available Credit

  • 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    In support of improving patient care, UK HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

    This Live activity is designated for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

  • 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Participation

    In support of improving patient care, UK HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

    This Live activity is designated for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Participation. Learners should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 6.25 ANCC (UK Healthcare CECentral)

    In support of improving patient care, UK HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

    The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 6.25 nursing contact hour(s).

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