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Scott Spann MD (born in Greenville, South Carolina) is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, former world-class swimmer and recovered quadriplegic.
Medical Career'
Scott Spann attended the University of South Carolina medical school where he served as President of the State Student Section of the American Medical Association, and then completed his residency with the Ochsner Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana. While a resident, Dr. Spann enlisted in the United States Medical Corps, from which he later retired as a Major. After residency, he performed a fellowship in spine surgery in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Spann eventually opened a private practice in Knoxville, Tennessee and served as the Chairman of Orthopedics of east Tennessee's largest hospital system. Then Dr. Frank Noyes, American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine Hall of Fame Inductee, recruited Dr. Spann to come to Cincinnati and begin the Spine Care Institute. For two years Dr. Spann took part in FDA trials that brought to market various spinal care products that heavily influenced ensuing orthopedic technologies.
Finally, in 1997, the Spann family returned to Austin, Texas, where Dr. Spann had earned his undergraduate degree and met and married his college sweetheart. There he founded Westlake Orthopedics and helped to found Westlake Hospital.
In 2005 Dr. Spann began researching stem cells and their effectiveness in treating orthopedic injuries. As a result he became one of the earliest to adapt stem cells for use in a clinical setting. In April, 2010 an international biopharmaceutical company opened a stem cell harvesting center in Dr. Spann's Westlake office.
A member of numerous medical organizations, Dr. Spann is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (certifying body of orthopedic surgeons in the United States) and Chairman of Spine Surgery at Westlake Hospital. He is also a consultant and instructor for several medical device companies, and has been a part of numerous product design teams for spinal implants, holding more than a dozen patents for orthopedic products and procedures.
Swimming Career
Scott Spann began swimming at the age of seven and was a championship swimmer during his undergraduate years at Auburn University and the University of Texas. During this time he broke five world records, including one of Mark Spitz’, and was expected to qualify for the 1980 Olympics before the United States boycott of the Moscow games. An alumnus at the University of Texas, he was inducted into the UT Hall of Honor in 1998.
While at Auburn University:
- Two-time SEC Swimmer of the Year
- Two-time Auburn Athlete of the Year
- Won three individual NCAA titles
- Recipient of swimming’s Kiputh Award - the Most Valuable National Swimmer.
While at the University of Texas:
- Led UT to 2nd place in the NCAA
- Two-time All-American
- While senior year captain UT won its first National Championship
- Earned four NCAA titles in individual and relay events
- Broke five world records
- Won a bronze medal in the Pan American Games
Quadriplegia and Recovery
In September 2005 Dr. Spann suffered a severe spinal cord injury, rendering him unable to move from the neck down. After a surgery that included an anterior and posterior fusion, an iliac bone graft and a Harm's Cage insertion, he underwent physical therapy, craniosacral therapy and myofascial release therapy. Then, in January 2006 Dr. Spann returned to the operating room as a surgical assistant. With time he returned to a full workload, including surgery.
Personal
Dr. Scott Spann lives in Austin, Texas with his wife Beth. They have three children: Austin, Scott Jr., and Alexi. Both Alexi and Scott Jr. have won medals at the Pan American Games and Scott Jr. was part of the Men's Olympic Swim Team in Beijing in 2008.
References
NeoStem-opens-new-adult-stem-cell-collection-center-in-Austin-TX
Cincinnati Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center