About SurgiSTUD™
SurgiSTUD™ is a true innovator in the surgical training and education industry, providing realistic surgical training through devices that mimic real life anatomies, pathologies and procedural environments.
“STUD” is an acronym that stands for Surgical Training and Utility Device.
The idea for the unique device was born through the Barrow Innovation Center, a novel program in neurosurgery resident education, medical device innovation and medical device development at the renowned Barrow Neurological Institute.
Today, top surgical training programs and industry partners are using SurgiSTUD™ to deliver hands-on surgical training for a growing range of spinal procedures, increasing mastery and education accessibility around the world.
Meet the Team Behind SurgiSTUD™
Dr. Michael Bohl, MD
INVENTOR OF THE SURGISTUD™ During his neurosurgical residency at the Barrow Neurological Institute, Michael Bohl created a resident education program in medical device development called the Barrow Innovation Center.Sarah McBryan, MS
SENIOR ENGINEER, SURGISTUD™ Sarah’s goal is to expand her hands-on experience to fields that work to improve healthcare and treatments around the world.Graduating with a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona State University prepared her to work on a wide variety of projects in this field.
Sarah’s experience includes designing surgical instruments and rehabilitation devices and performing quality assurance on current market products while working with amazing students, professors, and mentors.
Sarah works hard to ensure she has a well-rounded knowledge of, and hands-on experience in both engineering and biological systems. She works concurrently with neurosurgical residents at the Barrow Innovation Center and on the research and development of Spine STUD™ products.
Ray Thurston
FOUNDING MEMBER AND MANAGER, SURGISTUD™ Ray Thurston graduated Utah State with a Bachelor of Science and was the Founder and CEO of SonicAir, a specialty transportation and logistics company headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, for twenty years until its sale to UPS in 1995.After the acquisition, Thurston moved to Atlanta and assumed the position of Chairman of the UPS Logistics Group where he set the strategy for the fastest growing part of UPS. He is an expert in supply chain management working with many industries, including medical, in the redesign of their processes.
Ray has been the recipient of many local and national awards including: Arizona Governor’s Award for Quality, Arizona State University Entrepreneur of the Year, University of Arizona’s Entrepreneur Fellowship, Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year, and 4 Anderson awards for quality and innovative practices.
He is an active board member of TGen Foundation and Shamrock Foods, dedicating his time and energies to improving business processes toward measurable outcomes as well as strategic issues.
John Brambert
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT John Brambert brings thirty years of work experience in the medical industry, working for some of the largest Orthopedic Manufacturers in various sales, management and leadership positions.John also founded and operated an independent sales agency that represented several small to mid-size medical device companies and co-founded an executive coaching firm focused on increasing individual and team performance.
John combines his professional and personal experiences with the passion to help individuals, teams and organizations maximize their overall performance.
John has a long history of volunteering for organizations such as Hospice of the Valley, Aid for Adoption to Special Kids (AASK), and Pinnacle Forum. For the past nine years he has mentored over fifty international graduate students at Thunderbird Global Management and currently volunteers with Special Olympics.
John holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a master’s in theology & christian studies from Luther Rice Seminary. He also is a certified Executive Coach.
Dr. Han Jo Kim
PARTNER, INVESTOR & ADVISOR Dr. Han Jo Kim, a New York City native, is a Spine Surgeon at HSS, specializing in cervical spine and scoliosis surgery. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.He then completed the coveted Hospital for Special Surgery Orthopaedic Residency, followed by a spine fellowship specializing in Adult and Pediatric Scoliosis and Cervical Spine Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, Barnes Jewish Hospital. He was hired to come back to the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York for his spinal deformity and cervical spine surgery expertise.
Dr. Jean-Christophe A. Leveque
PARTNER, INVESTOR & ADVISOR JC Leveque is an attending surgeon at the Neurological Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. His area of expertise include complex spinal surgery, pituitray tumors, peripheral nerve surgery, and minimally invasive spine surgery.Dr. Leveque graduated from Amhert College with a degee in neuroscience and attended Duke University Medical School He completed a neurosurgery residency and embedded fellowship in complex spine at University of Michigan Medical Center. His leadership roles include president of the Washington State Association of Neurological Surgeons, Fellow of the Scoliosis Research Society and member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Rajiv K. Sethi
PARTNER, INVESTOR, ADVISOR Dr. Rajiv K. Sethi is an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon in Seattle, WA with special training and skill in diagnosis and treatment of spinal diseases and conditions.As an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Rajiv K. Sethi, MD performs provides non-operative and surgical treatment to patients of all ages. Orthopedic Surgery of the Spine is the diagnosis and treatment of almost all bone and joint disorders, such as spinal disorders.
Significant diseases and conditions treated by Orthopedic Spine Surgeons include bone and joint disorders of the spine like scoliosis, degenerative disorders, or cervical, neck, lumbar, or low back disorders. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Orthopedic Spine Surgeons include non-operative and surgical treatments of the spine.
Mark D. Campbell, MD
KEY OPINION LEADER ADVISOR Mark D. Campbell, MD, is a board certified and fellowship-trained lower extremity Orthopedic Surgeon. He specializes in Adult reconstruction of the Hip and Knee as well as complex foot and ankle surgery.Dr. Campbell completed his fellowship training at the Institute for Bone and Joint Disorders in Phoenix, AZ. Prior to that, he completed his orthopedic residency at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
He currently serves as Market President for The CORE Institute and as Chief of Surgery at both Banner Del Webb hospital as well as CORE Institute Specialty Hospital.
Dr. Alfred J. Tria, MD
ADVISOR Dr. Tria is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School. He completed his residency at New York Orthopaedic Hospital and did a Knee Fellowship with Dr. John Insall at The Hospital for Special Surgery.He is a Clinical Professor (Emeritus) at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Joseph A. Longo III, M.D.
ADVISOR Dr. Joseph Longo is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic surgery and is an active fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.He is a graduate of the University of Arizona Medical School and served his residency in orthopedics at the Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center at the University of Washington before finishing at the Phoenix Orthopedic Residency Training Program in Arizona. He maintained his affiliation. there for over 20 years as a clinical instructor. He also completed a fellowship training in biomaterials and total joint implants at the Harrington Arthritis Research Center in Phoenix during his training.
Subsequently, Dr. Longo has completed over 20 years of level I trauma participation and reconstructive surgery and now has a mature orthopedic practice in shoulder, hip, and knee adult reconstructive conditions. He is also an avid researcher and speaker, with many studies, publications, presentations, and patents to his credit. He has participated in over 30 years of collaboration with the orthopedic industry in the development of implants, implantation techniques and surgical instruments. This participation continues to involve teaching and training of fellow surgeons, residents, students, and industry representatives in adult reconstructive surgery techniques. He maintains his private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona and is affiliated with the Honor Health Osborn Medical Center.
Publications & Awards
SpineSTUD™ training models have been described in numerous peer-reviewed publications, and the work done on these models has earned several awards.