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Andrew A. Sama, MD

Spine Surgery
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About Dr. Sama

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Dr. Andrew Sama is Co-Chief of HSS Spine and specializes in the evaluation and surgical management of all traumatic, degenerative, and deformity-related conditions of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine. Board certified in orthopedic surgery, he believes in a team approach to patient care.

Dr. Sama is an Associate Attending Orthopedic Surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery and an Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University. He is involved in the resident and fellowship teaching curriculum and also mentors medical students throughout the academic year.

Dr. Sama is an active member of many spine societies, academic committees, and editorial review boards. He has lectured at scientific conferences both nationally and internationally. He is a member of the North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society, the International Society for the Advancement of Spine, the Eastern Orthopaedic Society, the HSS Spine Fellowship Alumni Association, and AO Spine North America. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

His areas of interest include clinical and basic science research involving the biology and biomechanics of spine fusion and fusion alternatives. He has received a number of research grants, including funding from the National Institutes of Health for a study on surgical and nonsurgical approaches to the treatment of low back pain. 

Dr. Sama’s clinical interests include complex spine surgery, minimally invasive lateral lumbar fusions, non-fusion and motion preservation technologies, and microsurgery. Dr. Sama also has a keen interest in disorders of the cervical spine and sports-related injuries.

Dr. Sama is involved in product development and has helped design orthopedic implant devices used in spinal surgery. He engages in research that will benefit patients and has published articles in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals. He co-edited a textbook titled, Lateral Access Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery published in 2016, and has authored chapters in several other medical textbooks.

He is a spinal consultant with the medical staff of the United States Olympic Committee. He is also on the editorial board of Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine and serves as a reviewer for the journals Spine and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.

Dr. Sama has received “Patients Choice” and “Compassionate Care” awards, and is highly rated on web sites in which patients evaluate doctors. He has consecutively been listed as one of the Best Orthopedic Doctors among a select group of surgeons in New York Magazine’s Best Doctors since 2014. He is also named as a Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor from 2012 to present.

For more information, visit www.spinecareofny.com

Profile Video

Departments

Specialized Centers

Integrated Spine Research Program

Special Expertise

Surgical management of all traumatic, degenerative, and deformity-related conditions of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine. Minimally Invasive and Computer Navigated Spine Surgery.

Patient Stories

Videos

Patient ratings for Dr. Sama

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Learn more about our patient ratings.

Insurance

If your insurance is not listed, please call our office if you have questions regarding your insurance coverage. If you have out-of-network benefits, then your insurance may reimburse you for a portion of your office visit. We will work with you and your insurance to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Financial assistance may be available for patients in need.

Credentials

Appointments

Co-Chief, HSS Spine, Hospital for Special Surgery
Associate Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
Assistant Clinician Investigator, Research Division, Hospital for Special Surgery
Associate Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

Certification

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Awards

Castle Connolly Top Doctors in New York Metro Area, 2014-2022
Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, 2012-2020
New York Magazine Top Doctors, 2014-2022
Healthgrades Five Star Doctors, Healthlink - NY Newsday Advertising Section, 2010
Awarded National Orthopaedic Surgery Fellows Foundation Research Grant,"The Effect of Alendronate on Lumbar Spine Fusion in the Rat Model", 2000-2001 
Alpha Omega Alpha Iron Arrow Honor Society, University of Miami
University of Miami Vice-President's Service Award, 1994-1995

Education

MD, The University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
Residency: The University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital Medical Center Orthopaedic Surgery , General Surgery Internship, Miami, Florida
Fellowship: Hospital for Special Surgery/Weill Cornell Medical College, Surgery of Spinal Disorders and Deformities

State Licensure

Languages

English

For My Patients

Publications by Dr. Sama

Patient Education

Selected Journal Articles

Research

Current Research includes:

Biologic enhancement of spine fusion
The development of minimally invasive and computer-assisted techniques for spinal surgery

Please note that this study is now closed. For other opportunities to be involved in Dr. Sama's research, please call the office.

Clinical Trials / Research Studies

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

HSS has a long history of supporting appropriate relationships with industry because they advance HSS's mission to provide the highest quality patient care, improve patient mobility, and enhance the quality of life for all, and to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and their related disciplines through research and education.

Below are the healthcare industry relationships reported by Dr. Sama as of February 16, 2023.

  • Centinel Spine (Vbros Venture Partners V) - Ownership Interest
  • Clariance, Inc. - Consultant; Scientific Advisory Board
  • Depuy Synthes Products, Inc. (a Johnson & Johnson Company) - Advisory Board; Consultant
  • HSS ASC Development Network, LLC - Ownership Interest
  • HS2, LLC - Ownership Interest
  • ISPH 3 Holdings, LLC - Ownership Interest
  • ISPH II, LLC - Ownership Interest
  • Kuros Biosciences - Consultant; Strategic Advisory Board
  • Ortho Development Corp. - Consultant; Royalties
  • VBros Venture Partners X - Ownership Interest
  • Vestia Ventures MiRus Investment, LLC - Ownership Interest

HSS and its physicians make this information available to patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy prohibits physicians from collecting royalties on products they develop that are used on patients at HSS.

Patients should feel free to ask their HSS physicians questions about these relationships.

Dr. Sama in the News