Gary Michelson

Dr. Gary Michelson, born in Philadelphia in 1949, was one of four brothers raised by their mother and grandmother, who suffered from a crippling spinal deformity. At seventeen, Dr. Michelson set out on the arduous path of working one and sometimes two jobs to put himself through Temple University and medical school at Hahnemann Medical College.

He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Hahnemann and subsequently completed a fellowship in spinal surgery at St. Luke’s Medical Center in association with Texas Medical Center and Baylor University. He is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and a diplomat of the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Dr. Michelson has dedicated his life to improving the lives of those afflicted with spinal ailments. His dedication is evidenced by his being the sole inventor of more than 250 United States Patents on instruments, methods and devices in spinal and orthopedic surgery.

Since his retirement from private practice, Dr. Michelson has devoted himself to helping others through his foundations, including the Medical Research Foundation Trust, Michelson Medical Research Foundation, Found Animals Foundation, and the Twenty Million Minds Foundation.

Through his foundations, Dr. Michelson has donated over $100 million for cutting edge medical research and over $10 million to help convert municipal animal services into more successful adoption centers and provide no-cost spay and neuter services to low income pet owners.

Selected Awards:
Inductee
National Inventors Hall of Fame, 2011

Finalist
National Inventor of the Year, multiple years

Recipient of Outstanding Medical Research Award
Paralyzed Veterans of America, 2006