Andrew C. Hecht
Encyclopedia
Andrew C. Hecht, M.D., is an American
orthopaedic surgeon
and a nationally recognized leader in surgery on the spine
.
Hecht serves as the spine surgical consultant to the New York Jets
, the New York Islanders
and the New York Dragons
, as well as collegiate teams at Hofstra University
and Molloy College
, and is the Chief of Spine Surgery in the Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopaedics at the Mount Sinai Medical Center
and Assistant Professor of both Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
, both in New York City
.
Hecht was selected for New York Magazine
's “Top Doctors” and as one of Castle Connolly's Top Doctors for the New York Metro Area for Orthopaedic Spine Surgery and Castle Connolly's “Top Doctors in America” for Orthopaedic Spine Surgery. He was selected as “Top Physician” for Spine Surgery by the Consumer Research Council of America and elected as “Top Physician” to the New York Times Super Doctors and Best Doctors in America.
Hecht is the author of numerous original peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, invited contributions, multiple books and book chapters and is a contributing author to the Interactive Educational Program for Spine
. He recently contributed and edited an issue of Seminars in Spine Surgery dedicated to Spine Injuries in Athletes. He directs the acute spine and spinal cord injury program for the New York Jets and routinely cares for athletes who sustain spine injuries.
from Brown University
in 1989 and earned his M.D. with magna cum laude honors at Harvard Medical School
in 1994. His postdoctoral training includes an internship in general surgery at New England Deaconess Hospital
and the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program at Massachusetts General Hospital
, Brigham and Women's Hospital
and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
, which he completed in 1991. He then completed a fellowship at the Emory University
Spine Center.
In 2001, Hecht served as Instructor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School. That same year, Hecht founded the Newton-Wellesley Spine Center
and served as it medical co-director. In 2002, he served as Director of the Spine Surgery Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital
. In 2003, he joined Mount Sinai Medical Center as Chief of Spine Surgery and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Hecht is a member of the North American Spine Society, the Cervical Spine Research Society
and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and serves on the medical board of trustees at the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation. Additionally, he serves on the faculty of numerous courses and meetings to teach spine surgeons the latest clinical advances and surgical techniques. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques and sits on the Publications Committee for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and founded and directed a course at Mount Sinai Medical Center to educate primary care doctors about musculoskeletal disorders. He lectures nationally and internationally on spine surgery.
Hecht's clinical interests include cervical
and lumbar spine
surgery, the evaluation and surgical management of degenerative disorders of the cervical, thoracic
and lumbar spine, minimally invasive
spinal surgery, microsurgery, spine trauma and tumor
s. Research areas include cervical and lumbar spine surgery and intervertebral disc biology.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
orthopaedic surgeon
Orthopedic surgery
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system...
and a nationally recognized leader in surgery on the spine
Vertebral column
In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
.
Hecht serves as the spine surgical consultant to the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and the New York Dragons
New York Dragons
The New York Dragons were an Arena Football League team based in the New York metropolitan area. The team was founded in as the original incarnation of the Iowa Barnstormers, and relocated to New York in . They played in New York until 2008, when the league folded...
, as well as collegiate teams at Hofstra University
Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...
and Molloy College
Molloy College
Molloy College is located in Rockville Centre, New York, a Nassau County community on Long Island, in the United States. with a brand new, state-of-the art residential facility. It also has a new 550 seat performing arts facility-- The Madison Theatre...
, and is the Chief of Spine Surgery in the Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopaedics at the Mount Sinai Medical Center
Mount Sinai Hospital, New York
Mount Sinai Hospital, founded in 1852, is one of the oldest and largest teaching hospitals in the United States. In 2011-2012, Mount Sinai Hospital was ranked as one of America's best hospitals by U.S...
and Assistant Professor of both Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine is an American medical school in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, currently ranked among the top 20 medical schools in the United States. It was chartered by Mount Sinai Hospital in 1963....
, both in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Hecht was selected for New York Magazine
New York (magazine)
New York is a weekly magazine principally concerned with the life, culture, politics, and style of New York City. Founded by Milton Glaser and Clay Felker in 1968 as a competitor to The New Yorker, it was brasher and less polite than that magazine, and established itself as a cradle of New...
's “Top Doctors” and as one of Castle Connolly's Top Doctors for the New York Metro Area for Orthopaedic Spine Surgery and Castle Connolly's “Top Doctors in America” for Orthopaedic Spine Surgery. He was selected as “Top Physician” for Spine Surgery by the Consumer Research Council of America and elected as “Top Physician” to the New York Times Super Doctors and Best Doctors in America.
Hecht is the author of numerous original peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, invited contributions, multiple books and book chapters and is a contributing author to the Interactive Educational Program for Spine
Interactive Educational Program for Spine
Magnifi Group, Inc. is a medical technology company based out of San Diego, California. The company has patent-pending polygon construction, database design and integration to produce training and marketing solutions for the medical and pharmaceutical industries...
. He recently contributed and edited an issue of Seminars in Spine Surgery dedicated to Spine Injuries in Athletes. He directs the acute spine and spinal cord injury program for the New York Jets and routinely cares for athletes who sustain spine injuries.
Biography
Hecht was born in New York City in 1967. He graduated magna cum laudeLatin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
from Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
in 1989 and earned his M.D. with magna cum laude honors at Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
in 1994. His postdoctoral training includes an internship in general surgery at New England Deaconess Hospital
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts is a major flagship teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. It was formed out of the 1996 merger of Beth Israel Hospital and New England Deaconess Hospital...
and the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program at Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital is a teaching hospital and biomedical research facility in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts...
, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Brigham and Women's Hospital is the largest hospital of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area in Boston, Massachusetts. It is directly adjacent to Harvard Medical School of which it is the second largest teaching affiliate with 793 beds...
and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts is a major flagship teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. It was formed out of the 1996 merger of Beth Israel Hospital and New England Deaconess Hospital...
, which he completed in 1991. He then completed a fellowship at the Emory University
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
Spine Center.
In 2001, Hecht served as Instructor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School. That same year, Hecht founded the Newton-Wellesley Spine Center
Newton-Wellesley Hospital
Newton-Wellesley Hospital is a community teaching medical center located in Newton, Massachusetts on Washington Street. It is affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School...
and served as it medical co-director. In 2002, he served as Director of the Spine Surgery Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital is a teaching hospital and biomedical research facility in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts...
. In 2003, he joined Mount Sinai Medical Center as Chief of Spine Surgery and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Hecht is a member of the North American Spine Society, the Cervical Spine Research Society
Spine (journal)
Spine is an international bi-weekly peer-reviewed medical journal in the field of the spine.- Affiliated societies :The following societies are affiliated with Spine:* Argentine Society for the Study of Spine Pathology...
and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and serves on the medical board of trustees at the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation. Additionally, he serves on the faculty of numerous courses and meetings to teach spine surgeons the latest clinical advances and surgical techniques. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques and sits on the Publications Committee for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and founded and directed a course at Mount Sinai Medical Center to educate primary care doctors about musculoskeletal disorders. He lectures nationally and internationally on spine surgery.
Hecht's clinical interests include cervical
Cervical vertebrae
In vertebrates, cervical vertebrae are those vertebrae immediately inferior to the skull.Thoracic vertebrae in all mammalian species are defined as those vertebrae that also carry a pair of ribs, and lie caudal to the cervical vertebrae. Further caudally follow the lumbar vertebrae, which also...
and lumbar spine
Lumbar vertebrae
The lumbar vertebrae are the largest segments of the movable part of the vertebral column, and are characterized by the absence of the foramen transversarium within the transverse process, and by the absence of facets on the sides of the body...
surgery, the evaluation and surgical management of degenerative disorders of the cervical, thoracic
Thoracic vertebrae
In human anatomy, twelve thoracic vertebrae compose the middle segment of the vertebral column, between the cervical vertebrae and the lumbar vertebrae. They are intermediate in size between those of the cervical and lumbar regions; they increase in size as one proceeds down the spine, the upper...
and lumbar spine, minimally invasive
Invasiveness of surgical procedures
There are three main categories which describe the invasiveness of surgical procedures. These are: non-invasive procedures, minimally invasive procedures, and invasive procedures ....
spinal surgery, microsurgery, spine trauma and tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
s. Research areas include cervical and lumbar spine surgery and intervertebral disc biology.
Honors and awards
- 2010 Guest Speaker, 10th annual meeting of Advanced Technologies in Spinal Treatment, Tokyo, Japan
- 2010 New York Magazine's Top Doctors
- 2010 Castle Connolly, Top Doctors in America, 9th Edition
- 2009, 2010 New York Times “Super Doctor”
- 2009, 2010 Best Doctors (USA)
- 2008-2010 Castle Connolly, Top Doctors for the New York Metro Area, 10th, 11th & 12th Editions
- 2007-2008 Top Physician for Spine Surgery by the Consumer Research Council of America
- 2004 Visiting Professor, University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, Department of Orthopedic Surgery - 2002 Robert Bayley Osgood Award for Best Basic Science Paper/Thesis Harvard Combined Residency Program
- 1999 Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Grant
- 1994 Magna Cum Laude, Harvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
- 1993 Howard Hughes Medical Merit Scholarship Award for Outstanding Research
- 1993 Howard Hughes Medical InstituteHoward Hughes Medical InstituteHoward Hughes Medical Institute is a United States non-profit medical research organization based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. It was founded by the American businessman Howard Hughes in 1953. It is one of the largest private funding organizations for biological and medical research in the United...
Research Fellowship - 1993 Soma Weiss Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School
- 1990 NIHNational Institutes of HealthThe National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
Summer Research Training Fellowship - 1989 Magna Cum Laude, Brown University
- 1988 Eleven Academic High Distinction Notations
- 1988 Appointed Meiklejohn Academic Fellow, Brown University
Books and chapters
- Hecht AC, Leon SP, Kelly RA, and Lilly LS: Cardiovascular Drugs, Pathophysiology of Heart Disease, Lea & Febiger: Philadelphia & London, 1992, pp.272–305 Outlook/Perspectives in Colon & Rectal Surgery, 5(6):4-6, 1992
- Hecht AC, Silcox HD, Whitesides TE: Injuries to the Cervicoranium, Skeletal Trauma: Fractures, Dislocations and Ligamentous Injuries, Ed. Browner B, Jupiter JB, Levine, A and Trafton P, WB Saunders Company: Philadelphia, 2003
- Hecht AC, Boden SD: Biology of Spine Fusion, in Advanced Spinal Surgical Technologies, ed. Corbin T, Connolly P, Yuan H, Bao Q, Boden SD, Quality Medical Publishing: St Louis
- Hecht AC, Scott D, Critchlow R, Pedlow FX: Treatment of Metastatic Disease of the Spine, Adult and Pediatric Spine, 3rd edition, ed. Frymoyer J, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, pp. 247–289, 2004
- Scott D, Hornicek FJ, Hecht AC, and Pedlow FX, in Treatment of Primary Sarcomas of the Spine, Adult and Pediatric Spine, 3rd edition, ed. Frymoyer J, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, pp. 191–247, 2004
- Qureshi S, Hecht AC: Epidemiology of Spinal Cord Injury, Atlas of Spine Trauma: Adult and Pediatric, ed. Kim DH, Ludwig SC, Vaccaro A, Elsevier, 2008
- Chen, M, Qureshi S, Hecht AC: Anterior Thoracic Corpectomy, Operative Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery, ed. Weisel S, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, in print.
- Qureshi S, Hecht AC: Anterior approach to the thoracic spine, Operative Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery, ed. Weisel S, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, in print.
- Boden SD, Bostrom PG, Haydon R, Hecht AC, Kirkpatrick J, Lee FY, Leet A, Levine W, McKellop HA, Miclau T, Nelson F, Parvizi J, Sherma PJ, Wright TM, Orthopaedic Basic Science Self Assessment Examination, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2006
Publications
- Towle CA, Wright M, Hecht AC, Kuong SJ, Papanicolas LE, Totkovic R, Mankin HJ, Treadwell BV: A Matrix Metalloproteinase Proenzyme Activator Produced by Articular Cartilage, Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 247(2):324-331, 1998 PMID 9642125
- Snyder BD, Hauser-Kara DA, Hipp JA, Zurakowski D, Hecht AC, Gebhardt MC: Predicting fracture through benign skeletal lesions with quantitative computed tomography, J Bone Joint Surg Am 2006, 88(1): 55- 70 PMID 16391250
- Hecht AC, Degradative Enzyme Systems in Articular Cartilage: Purification, Characterization and Role in Cartilage Degradation of a Novel Serine Protease Isolated from Bovine Articular Cartilage. Thesis, 1994 (Awarded Magna Cum Laude Harvard Medical School)
- Hecht AC, Silcox H, and Heller JG: A biomechanical and clinical study of transarticular screw fixation with onlay bone grafting. (to be submitted to Spine 2008)
- Lewandrowski KU, Hecht AC, Delaney TF, Chapman PA, Hornieck FJ, and Pedlow FX. Anterior spinal arthrodesis with structural cortical allografts and instrumentation for spine tumor surgery, Spine, 29(10):1150-1159, 2004 PMID 15131446
- Hecht AC, Chen M and Jenkins A: Minimally Invasive approach for far lateral disc herniations at L5-S1: A novel technique and report of 2 patients, Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques, (submitted to Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques, 2008)
- Taitsman LA, Altman DT, Hecht AC, and Pedlow FX. Complications of Cervical Halo-Vest Orthoses in Elderly Patients, Orthopedics, 31(5):446, 2008 PMID 19292320
- Singh H, Hecht AC, and Jenkins AJ, Novel Fluoroscopic Technique for Localization at Cervicothoracic Levels, Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques, , 22(8):615-8 PMID 19956037
- Koehler SM, Lin JD, Stets KC, Qureshi SA, Martins DA and Hecht AC: Case Report: Lumbar Spinous Process Avulsion Fracture in an Adolescent Dancer, Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, 20(3):213-4, 2010 PMID 20445364
- Koehler SM, Beasley MB, Chin CS, Wittig JC, Hecht AC, Qureshi SA, Synovial Sarcoma of the Thoracic Spine, Spine Journal, Dec 9(12):el-6, 2009 PMID 19800298
- Hecht AC, Koehler SM, Laudone JC, Jenkins AJ, Qureshi SA, Is Intraoperative CT of Posterior Cervical Spine Instrumentation Cost Effective and Does it Reduce Complications, Clinical Orthopaedics And Related Research, October 2010 PMID 20922584
- Bronson WH, Koehler SM, Qureshi SA, and Hecht AC, Importance of plain film radiography in the evaluation of low back pain and radiculopathy due to recurrent lumbar disc herniation, Orthopaedics, 12:33(5), 2010