Biographies
Andrew Egger, M.D. | Michael Louwers, M.D. | Carrie Stewart, M.D. | Jason A. Brodkey, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.I.P.P. | Martin J. Buckingham, M.D., F.A.C.S. | Anthony P. Cucchi D.O. | Mark H. Falahee, M.D., F.A.C.S. | Douglas F. Geiger, M.D., F.A.C.S. | Geoffrey M. Thomas, M.D., F.A.C.S. | Mindy M. Bryde, MS, PA-C | Kurt Hiester, MS, PA-C, ATC | Peg Newbold, R.N.
Andrew Egger, M.D.
Board-Certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Fellowship-Trained Interventional Pain
Management
Dr. Andrew Egger is a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at Ann Arbor Spine Center who specializes in helping the back and neck pain sufferer return to activity without surgery. Dr. Egger is proficient
in the evaluation of spine patients,
diagnostics, injection therapy and EMGs. He joins Ann Arbor Spine Center
after completing an Interventional Pain
Management Fellowship at Performance
Sports & Spine Physicians, Pottstown, PA. 
Dr. Egger earned his medical degree at
Michigan State University College of Human
Medicine. He completed his residency in Physical
Medicine at Temple University Hospital /
Moss Rehab in Philadelphia. During his residency,
he served as Clinical Instructor at Temple
University School of Medicine and Chief
Resident in the Department of PM&R.
Dr. Egger
has completed procedure training in Lumbar
and Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections, Facet
Joint Injections, Medial Branch Injections, SI
Joint Injections, Electrodiagnostic Testing and
others.
Before joining Ann Arbor Spine Center,
Andrew was in practice with Performance
Spine and Sports Physicians PC in Pottstown.
Within his role at Ann Arbor Spine Center, Dr.
Egger is involved with evaluation, diagnosis
and treatment of back and neck pain problems,
including the use of EMGs and injection
therapy.
He relocates to Michigan from Pottstown,
PA, home to the region’s first iron forge with a long history of iron and steel production. Dr. Egger and his
wife are happy to live in the Ann Arbor area where they can be close to family in Lansing.
[Top] Michael Louwers, M.D.
Fellowship-trained in Pain Management
Board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Board-eligible Pain Medicine
Dr. Michael Louwers joins Ann Arbor Spine Center after completing fellowship training in Pain Management at the University of Michigan. Fellowship-training is the highest level of medical training in the United States. Dr. Louwers is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and board-eligible in pain medicine. He specializes in the assessment, diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of back and neck pain problems. Dr. Louwers is experienced in pain-relieving spine injections and other non-surgical spine care, including the treatment of headache pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD), joint pain, musculoskeletal disorders and peripheral nerve pain. 
Dr. Louwers earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine. While completing an internship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Dr. Louwers was awarded “Transitional Year – Intern of the Year”. He completed his physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. While completing his residency, he received the Resident Peer Teaching Award from the University of Michigan for outstanding teaching in the field of PM&R two consecutive years in a row.
Dr. Louwers is a member of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), the North American Spine Society (NASS), the American Medical Association, and other professional organizations.
In his spare time, Dr. Louwers enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, snorkeling, woodworking and rock climbing.
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Carrie Stewart M.D.
Board-Certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Dr. Carrie Stewart is a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at Ann Arbor Spine Center who specializes in helping the back and neck pain sufferer return to activity without surgery. Dr. Stewart is proficient in the evaluation of spine patients, diagnostics, EMGs and providing non-surgical treatment options to those with back and neck problems. She is experienced in, and understands the complexities related to on-the-job back injuries. 
She comes to Ann Arbor Spine Center from Kaiser Permanente offices in the Sonoma Valley of Northern California where she worked in the physical medicine and occupational medicine department of Kaiser's Santa Rosa medical office. Dr. Stewart is pleased to be in Michigan where she grew up in a small town in Southeastern Michigan. She and her husband, a physical therapist, have a home in the Ann Arbor area and are looking forward to raising their child among family and friends in Michigan.
Dr. Stewart earned her medical degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. She completed an internship at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan. Dr. Stewart completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of California Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. She has been involved in various research studies, including a study on "Exercise and Dietary Intervention in Children with Paraparesis Due to Spinal Cord Dysfunction". Dr. Carrie Stewart has presented at Grand Rounds on "Nonoperative Management of Compression Fractures". She is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Michigan State Medical Society and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Dr. Stewart's interests include pediatric physiatry, spine, occupational medicine, pain management and electrodiagnostic medicine.
In her spare time, Dr. Stewart is interested in horseback riding, bike riding, foreign travel and fine dining.
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Jason A. Brodkey, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.I.P.P.
Board-Certified Neurological Surgeon
Board-Certified Pain Medicine
Fellowship-Trained Spine Surgeon
Dr. Jason Brodkey is Board Certified with the American Board of Neurological Surgeons and with the American Board of Pain Medicine. He is also certified as a Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice. Dr. Brodkey specializes in complex spinal reconstruction, spinal cord and nerve stimulation, spinal infusion pump implantation and minimally invasive spine surgery.
Dr. Brodkey received his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering with high honors from Case Institute of Technology (CWRU). He was awarded his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Brodkey attended the University of Tennessee, completing a surgical internship and Neurosurgical residency program. He continued his training in fellowships at the University of Toronto in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery and in Memphis in Complex Spine Surgery.
Dr. Brodkey is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha and Tau Beta Pi honorary societies. He is also a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Locally, Dr. Brodkey belongs to the Michigan State Medical Society, the Washtenaw County Medical Society and the Michigan Association of Neurological Surgeons. Nationally, he is a member of the North American Spine Society and the International Neuromodulation Society and is a member of the American Academy of Spine Physicians. Related to his expertise in pain, he is member of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and the American Academy of Pain Medicine.
Dr Brodkey practices at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. He evaluates patients at Ann Arbor Spine Center's main office located on the hospital campus and also at a separate pain clinic office in Ann Arbor.
"Helping a patient in pain requires a careful and thoughtful approach. It is important to the spend time getting to know each patient in order to understand their needs. Listening is the most important step in the evaluation and requires compassion and understanding. It is my goal to accurately diagnose a problem and from that formulate a care plan that provides a comprehensive, yet focused solution. Our practice has developed a multidisciplinary approach to the management of pain drawing upon physiatrists, interventional pain physicians, pain psychologists and physicians who specialize in medication management to arrive at a safe, best solution. I feel surgery is often a late option in the management of pain and for best outcomes should only utilized under the correct circumstances. Deciding on which surgery to perform, whether it is a minimally invasive approach or larger operation, I feel is both based on science and well as it is an art; it has to be planned based on a patient's needs, anatomy, and situation. I am a surgeon who exercises conservative judgment and I care about all of my patients."
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Martin J. Buckingham, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Board-Certified Neurological Surgeon
Dr. Martin Buckingham is Board Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Buckingham specializes in spine surgery, cranial surgery, brain tumors and microsurgery. He graduated magna cum laude from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and chemistry. In 1984, Dr. Buckingham graduated from the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine and received the Olkon award for excellence in neurology and neurosurgery. He completed his general surgery internship and neurosurgery residency program at the University of Cincinnati.
Dr. Buckingham is a member of the College of Surgeons, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Locally, he belongs the Michigan Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Buckingham practices at the Ann Arbor and Chelsea locations.
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Anthony P. Cucchi D.O.
Fellowship-Trained Spine Surgeon
Board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Anthony Cucchi completed his orthopedic spine surgery fellowship in Ann Arbor, at Michigan Brain and Spine Institute. He specializes in adult spine care, adult reconstructive spine surgery, degenerative spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery.
Dr. Cucchi received his undergraduate degree with honors from Oakland University where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Biology. He attended Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine for his medical school. Dr. Cucchi then completed a traditional internship and orthopedic surgery residency through Henry Ford Health System
Dr. Cucchi is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and the American Osteopathic Association.
Dr. Cucchi practices at the Ann Arbor, Brighton and Chelsea locations.
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Mark H. Falahee, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
Fellowship-trained Spine Surgeon
Dr. Mark Falahee is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He specializes in adult spine care delivery encompassing traumatic, metabolic, pathologic, and degenerative problems. Dr. Falahee specializes in all areas of thoracic and lumbar spine surgery, from major reconstructive cases to minimally invasive procedures and outpatient surgeries.
Dr. Falahee received an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. He attended Wayne State University and graduated with honors. Dr. Falahee returned to the University of Michigan to complete a residency in Orthopedic Surgery. He completed his training at SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse, New York as a Spine Fellow in the Department of Orthopedics.
Dr. Falahee is a member of the North American Spine Society, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Mid-American Orthopedic Association. Locally he is affiliated with the Michigan Orthopedic Association, Washtenaw County Medical Society and the Michigan State Medical Society. Dr Falahee is a lifetime member of the Anthony B Wayne Society, in recognition of contributions to Wayne State Medical School. Dr Falahee enthusiastically supports new innovations in spine care and delivery. He holds over 19 issued/pending patents related to spinal instruments and implants. Dr. Falahee practices at the Ann Arbor & Brighton locations.
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Douglas F. Geiger, M.D., MS, F.A.C.S
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Fellowship-trained spine surgeon
Fellow, Scoliosis Research Society
Dr. Douglas Geiger is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and an active fellow of the Scoliosis Research Society and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He specializes in reconstructive surgery, deformity surgery in children and adults and in minimally invasive spine surgery.
Dr. Geiger is currently the director of the spine fellowship coordinated with the University of Toledo College of Medicine and has held numerous clinical teaching appointments. Most recently these have included the Department of Orthopedics at Wayne State University, Henry Ford Hospital, the University of Toledo College of Medicine and is a lecturer for the Consortium for Osteopathic Graduate Medical Education and Training (COGNET) at Michigan State University.
Dr. Geiger is a frequent lecturer both in the community and at educational institutions on such topics as scoliosis, current technologies in spine surgery, as well as spine care in the elderly population.
Dr. Geiger received his undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. He then received a Master of Science in Immunology from the University of Toledo. He attended medical school at the Medical College of Ohio. Dr. Geiger completed a Surgical Internship and orthopedic Surgery Residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He went on to complete an NIH research fellowship in Orthopedic Spine Surgery at the University of Minnesota and a Spine clinical fellowship at the Twin Cities Scoliosis Spine Center.
Dr. Geiger is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the North American Spine Society, the Scoliosis Research Society and the American College of Surgeons. He also belongs to the Michigan Orthopedic Association and the American Medical Association. Other local affiliations include the Wayne County Medical Society.
Dr Geiger practices at the Ann Arbor & Chelsea locations.
"The one thing all my patients have in common is a lack of desire to actually be in a spine surgeon's office. Most of them consider spine surgery to be a last resort, or at least not the first choice in spine treatment. I try to be certain all non-operative options have been exhausted before entertaining the prospect of surgery, and then the decision to proceed ahead with an operation is made only after careful deliberation by the patient and the surgeon. It is a very mutual well-educated decision that involves all necessary parties and information. Thus, a game plan is developed, and with appropriate expectations by the patient, will give the best chance for success with surgical treatment.
I always try to provide the least invasive surgery that will give the greatest amount of pain relief. Our current technology now allows us to perform many procedures as an outpatient and to return people to work and play sooner than in the past. Exhaustive non-operative treatment, complete patient education, and state-of-the-art surgical techniques allow us to provide our patients with the best possible experience, an important aspect for people who would rather not have to see a spine surgeon at all.”
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Geoffrey M. Thomas, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Board-Certified Neurological Surgeon
Dr. Geoffrey Thomas is a board-certified neurological surgeon and specializes in adult spinal degenerative conditions and cervical spine reconstruction. Dr. Thomas also focuses on general neurosurgery, brain tumors, neurooncology and radiosurgery. He is a clinical instructor at the University of Michigan, Section of Neurosurgery.
Dr. Thomas received his undergraduate degree with highest honors from the University of Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan School of Medicine with distinction. He completed his Surgical Internship at Northwestern University in Chicago. He returned to Ann Arbor for a residency in Pathology. Dr. Thomas continued his residency training at the University of Cincinnati in the Neurological Surgery program.
Dr. Thomas was awarded membership into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He is also an active member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Locally he is a member of the Michigan Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Washtenaw County Medical Association.
Dr. Thomas practices at the Ann Arbor location.
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Mindy M. Bryde, MS, PA-C
Mindy Bryde received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Science from Grand Valley State University. She attended the Master's program for her Physician Assistants Degree at Central Michigan University. She began her career in 2004, treating Orthopedic patients and is now focusing her professional interest in Orthopedic Spine and Neurosurgery patients.
Mindy is a member of both the American Academy of Physician Assistants and Physician Assistants in Orthopedic Surgery. She practices at the Ann Arbor location.
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Kurt Hiester, MS, PA-C, ATC 
Kurt Hiester joined Ann Arbor Spine Center, with locations in Ypsilanti, Brighton, Novi and Chelsea, after completing a Master of Physician Assistant Studies at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. He holds a Masters of Science from Seton Hall University and a Bachelors Degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Kurt completed physician assistant clinical rotations in Orthopedic Surgery, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Practice, Pulmonology, Behavioral Medicine, OBGYN and Pediatrics. He worked as a Certified Athletic Trainer at Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry Forest, VA. While working as an athletic trainer, Kurt assessed and treated athletic and non-athletic related injuries and designed and implemented rehabilitation programs, in addition to other responsibilities.
Kurt is a board-certified physician assistant and a certified athletic trainer. He is a member of the Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
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Peg Newbold, R.N.
Peg Newbold received her diploma in nursing from Providence Hospital School of Nursing of Detroit. Since that time she has been employed in several different roles as an RN at St Joseph Mercy Hospital. She has 38 years of critical care experience in a variety of roles providing care for critically ill patients and their families. For the past 9 years she has worked in the Hemodialysis Inpatient / Outpatient Units at St Joseph Mercy Hospital providing hemodialysis, CRRT, plasmaphoresis care for acutely and critically ill hospitalized patients.
“I have been a committed, hardworking, loyal member of the SJMHS staff for 38 years. I look forward to embracing the wonderful opportunity to further expand my knowledge and skills while caring for the Neuro and Spine patient at Ann Arbor Spine Center.”
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