A few of our ASI Surgeons

Jay Pond, MD
Dr. Jay Pond is an orthopedic surgeon who currently works at Arlington Orthopedic Associates. He is particularly interested in joint replacement, hand surgery, and post-trauma reconstruction. Dr. Pond also holds hospital and administrative appointments at the Medical Center of Arlington, the Arlington Memorial Hospital, the Surgery Center of Arlington, the John Peter Smith Hospital, and the USMD Hospital at Arlington. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons as well. Dr. Pond received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, and completed his residency at Barnes Hospital at Washington University.

Christopher Leslie, DO
Dr. Christopher Leslie currently is an orthopedic and sports medicine physician who operates his own firm, Leslie Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. Aside from actively practicing, Dr. Leslie is also involved in orthopedic research, particularly on the knee joint. He formerly was the chief of surgery at Lake Regional Health System. Dr. Leslie completed his studies at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, and held an orthopedic surgery residency at the Metropolitan Medical Centers. Heʼs board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Osteopathic Association.

Robert Bayless, MD, PA
Dr. Robert Bayless is an orthopedic surgeon and physician. He is the president and founding member of Irving Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. He attended medical school at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Bayless is also certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and belongs to several medical groups, including the Texas Medical Association, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Bayless studied directly under the inventor of the McKee-Farrar total hip replacement, the first successful hip replacement technique used.

H. Anderson Dollahite, MD
Dr. H. Andrew Dollahite is a physician specializing in orthopedic surgery. He currently works at Texas Health Care, a multi-physician group practice. Prior to this position, he was self-employed as an orthopedic surgeon for more than 16 years, and also served as an emergency room physician. Dr. Dollahite completed his medical degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School and held residencies at the Methodist Hospital, the University of Tennessee, and the Campbell Clinic Foundation. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and is a fellow with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons.

Richard Weiner, MD, F.A.C.S.
Dr. Richard Weiner is a top neurosurgeon and brain and craniotomy specialist who also performs complex spine surgery. He currently is the Vice-chairman of the neurosurgery department at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Weiner also is the clinical associate professor of neurosurgery at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center. Beyond serving as an active neurosurgeon, Dr. Weiner is also involved in research, and has been published in multiple peer-reviewed publications. Heʼs additionally taught courses on neurosurgery and anesthesia to medical students. Dr. Weiner graduated with a medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1975, and completed his residencies in neurology and neurosurgery at the New York University Medical Center.

David W. Gray, M.D.
Dr. David Gray is an Orthopedic Pediatric Spine Surgeon who is currently a Director of Pediatric Orthopedics at Cook Childrenʼs Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He previously served as Chairman of the Division of Surgery and Vice Director of the Department of Surgery at the same institution. Dr. Gray spent seven years on the active staff at the Childrenʼs Orthopedics of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Childrenʼs Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He also served as the Director of Department of Surgery at Scottish Rite Medical Center. Dr. Gray was Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins University Medical School. Dr. Gray received his medical degree from University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He completed residencies at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Johns Hopkins University Medical School, as well as a fellowship at the latter institution. He is a member of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Bala K. Giri, M.D.
Dr. Giri is a neuro spine surgeon and Chief of Spine Surgery at Methodist Hospitals of Dallas. He is also Chief of Neurosurgery at the same hospital. He graduated with a medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed a residency at Baylor College of Medicine. He is a Featured Surgeon on the Discovery Health Channel, and a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and the Texas Medical Association.

Kurt Merkel, M.D.
A distinguished surgeon, researcher and educator, Dr. Merkel earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington, graduating magna cum laude in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. From there, he received his medical degree from Saint Louis University graduating with honors and voted into the AOA medical honor society. He received his orthopedic training at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. During his tenure at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Merkel served as chief resident, obtained a masters degree in Orthopedic Science, was awarded an OREF grant, authored several papers, and received national honors for his research on infected total hip reconstruction. After serving four years in private practice in Alaska, Dr Merkel became the Crawford Campbell Fellow in Orthopedic Oncology and Bone Transplantation at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School under Dr. Henry Mankin. Following his fellowship at Harvard, Dr. Merkel then joined Dr. Jerome Gilden at Jewish Hospital as a full-time member of the orthopedic department at Washington University School of Medicine. During this time he carried out several research projects focusing on the mechanism of total joint failure, headed the orthopedic oncology section, published several clinical and research papers and was awarded grants from the Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

Richard Buch, M.D.
Dr. Richard Buch, a nationally recognized, board-certified orthopedic oncologist and member of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, is one of those surgeons who stays at the forefront of orthopedic and surgical oncology techniques for both adults and children. He is well-known for his personalized approach to each surgical procedure on an individualized basis. He listens to his patients' concerns and takes the time to compassionately discuss their disease process and treatment options. As an orthopedic oncologist, Dr. Buch is sometimes referred to as the physician's specialist. His total joint revisions and oncology procedures are done by very few surgeons in the country, and his expertise in these fields is exceptional. He is acclaimed as a nationally recognized consultant and speaker in the education of the next generation of orthopedic surgeons. He is sought after to teach courses in joint replacements by the manufacturing companies of prosthetics.

Terry K Gemas, M.D.
Dr. Gemas is a board certified and sports medicine fellowship trained Orthopaedic Surgeon. He provides both surgical and non-surgical orthopaedic care for the and accepts patients of all ages. He treats all forms of orthopaedic pathology including sports and work related injuries, as well as arthritic joint conditions. Dr. Gemas specializes in cutting-edge arthroscopic and other minimally- invasive procedures, total joint replacement, and general fracture care. Present time, he is the orthopaedic consultant for several Dallas-area high schools and Universities. He is the past Head Team Physician, The Dallas Fury professional women's basketball team. Also he was a Fellow, for The Tampa Bay Buccaneers professional football team & The University of Miami varsity athletic teams, 2000-2001, General Surgery "Intern of the Year," St Luke's Medical Center, 1995-96. Linebacker, 1986 Atlantic Coast Conference & Gator Bowl Football Champions, Clemson University.

Miguel A Hernandez, M.D.
Dr. Hernandez was born in Gainsville, Florida, in 1966. He is married and has four children. He attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School from 1988 to June of 1992. Following Medical School he was accepted at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio for his Orthopaedic Residency training. Dr. Hernandez is active in many professional organizations including the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Texas Orthopaedic Association and the Alamo Orthopaedic Society. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is also a member of the Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He continues to serve on the Dallas County Medical Society Review Board and he is an active member of multiple committees at Methodist Dallas Medical Center where he currently is the presiding Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery. He also joined the medical staff at Medical City Dallas Hospital in 2009. Dr. Hernandez has special interests in hand, shoulder and elbow surgery, shoulder and knee arthroscopic surgery and all sports related injuries as well as trauma.

Luis Mignucci, M.D.
Dr. Luis Mignucci is a Neurospine Surgeon who is currently part of the active staff at Presbyterian Hospital of Plano. He concurrently serves at Presbyterian Plano Center for Diagnostic & Surgery and at Baylor Medical Center at Frisco. Since 1991, he has been a Consulting Joints Surgeon at Veterans Administration Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Mignucci is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he has served since 1990. Dr. Mignucci graduated with a medical degree from University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. He completed a residency in neurosurgery at the same institution, and he completed a fellowship in spinal surgery at Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for the Spine. He is a member of the American Association of Joints Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and the Dallas County Medical Society.

Henrik Mike-Meyer, M.D.
Dr. Mike-Mayer is a fellowship trained Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon specializing in the non-operative and surgical treatment of spinal disorders. He completed his undergraduate degree at Drake University. He earned his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry-New Jersey Medical School. He received his Orthopaedic training and was Chief Resident at the Seton Hall University School of Graduate Medical Education in New Jersey. He completed a one year spine fellowship in Disorders of the Spine at Texas Back Institute. He continues to be involved in research and physical education.

B. Cristoph Meyer, M.D.
Dr. Meyer is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in pediatric and adult complex spinal surgery including scoliosis. He is a graduate of Cornell University and Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons. He has been active in clinical trials using recombinant growth factors to promote spinal fusion and in resident education at UT Houston. When surgery is required, Dr. Meyer is able to perform the full spectrum of spinal procedures, from minimally invasive microsurgical techniques to complex anterior and posterior spinal reconstruction.

Amir S. Malik, M.D.
Amir S. Malik, M.D. received his neurosurgical training at the University of Washington, in Seattle and Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. After completing his training he came to Texas and was an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Texas in Houston. He served there for over six years prior to going into private practice. At the University his practice and research focused on complex problems: traumatic, degenerative and neoplastic of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. In conjunction with TIRR Hospital, he led a team of doctors and physical therapists in the treatment of various forms of spinal cord injury and head injury. He also developed an extensive experience in utilizing minimally-invasive surgical techniques of the brain and spine, including Microdissectomy, Spinal Decompression, Spinal Fusion, Percutaneous Instrumentation of the Spine and Kyphoplasties for osteoporotic and traumatic Compression Fractures. Dr. Malik was one of the first surgeons in Houston to perform a multi-level minimally-invasive, thoraco-lumbar instrumentation and fusion on a patient.

George F. Cravens, M.D., F.A.C.S.
George F. Cravens, M.D., F.A.C.S. has specialized in neurosurgery since 1981. With both a tireless and innovative commitment to research and the development of surgical and medical technology, he has helped to develop and establish and advance neurological Care in the Fort Worth area. In 1992, he realized his vision of how cohesive medical care would benefit all patients by founding the Center for Neurological Disorders in Fort Worth, Texas. In pulling together all the various specialists needed in the treatment of neurological disease, the Center offers effective, convenient and comprehensive care. Dr. Cravens earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Austin and subsequently attended medical school at Southwestern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Dallas. He did his neurosurgical residency at Louisiana State Medical Center, Charity Hospital and Ochsner Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana. During his residency, he served as the chief resident of neurological surgery at University of Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital which is the Regional Trauma Center for all of Ontario, Canada. In 1986, after completion of his residency, he moved to Zurich, Switzerland where he did a fellowship in microneurosurgery at the Neurochirurgische Klink Universtat Zurich, Switzerland with Professor M. Gazi Yasargil, M.D.

Venkat Sethuraman, M.D.
Dr. Sethuraman, a fellowship trained Spine Surgeon from the Mayo Clinic, is a minimally invasive Spine Specialist & Surgeon who offers treatments and performs the latest surgical techniques in treating disorders of the spine. He enjoys working individually with each of his patients to find the best custom tailored options for resumption of an active and healthy lifestyle while minimizing down time. His specializations include: Specialization in Minimally Invasive Techniques; Image Guided Technologies in the Management of Spinal Disorders; Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbosacral, and Intervertebral Spinal Conditions; Cervical Spine Disorders and Disc ReplacemenT; Vertebral Compression fracture; Spinal Fusion; Spondylolisthesis; Spinal Stenosis; Comprehensive Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease; Techniques in Spinal Instrumentation.

Stephan Vacoubian, M.D.
Dr. Stephan Yacoubian is a Board Certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in problems of the shoulder, knee and hip. Dr. Stephan Yacoubian is currently the Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. His surgical expertise encompasses minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery, primary joint replacement surgery, and fracture surgery. Fellowship trained in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery at the renowned University of Connecticut College of Medicine, Dr. Stephan Yacoubian treats many sports related and overuse type injuries. He earned his medical doctorate at the Pennsylvania State University and completed his surgical internship and orthopaedic residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City.

Shahan Vacoubian, M.D.
Dr. Shahan Yacoubian is a Board Certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement surgery, complex revision surgery (previously implanted joint replacements), and trauma/fracture surgery. Fellowship trained in adult hip and knee replacement and reconstructive surgery at Harvard Medical School's Brigham & Women's Hospital, Dr. Shahan Yacoubian cares for a wide spectrum of joint diseases from the initial onset of cartilage degradation to complex joint replacement surgery. Dr. Shahan Yacoubian completed his surgical internship and orthopaedic residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine's Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. He attended Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine where he earned his medical degree, and completed his bachelor's in science from the University of California, San Diego with honors.

Scott V. Slagis, M.D.
Dr. Scott Slagis is an American Board Certified orthopedic and Internal medicine surgeon who specializes in Total Joint Replacement, Shoulder and Knee Arthroscope surgery. He went to Medical School at Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, and Los Angeles, California. His First Residency was for Internal Medicine, Los Angeles County Medical Center, University of Southern California, and Los Angeles, California. Followed by a Second Residency for Orthopaedic Surgery - University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona.