David Gendelberg, MD, instructs spine surgery trainees during a hands-on educational session. Dr. Gendelberg will serve as an Annual Forum Director for the 2026 Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS) Annual Forum, an international continuing medical education conference dedicated to advancing minimally invasive spine surgery through education, research and innovation. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurological Surgery faculty will represent the UCSF Spine Center at one of the world's leading meetings focused on minimally invasive spine surgery.
SAN FRANCISCO (July 1, 2026) — Faculty from the UCSF Spine Center will join leading spine surgeons from around the world at the 2026 Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS) Annual Forum, where they will present research, moderate scientific sessions and share clinical expertise on the latest advances in minimally invasive spine care. The meeting will be held Sept. 10–12, 2026, at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Founded in 2007, the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS) is an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing minimally invasive spine surgery through education, research and collaboration. Its annual forum serves as the organization's premier scientific meeting, bringing together orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons and other healthcare professionals to exchange research, refine surgical techniques and explore emerging technologies that improve patient care.
This year's scientific program will highlight advances in minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery, robotics, artificial intelligence, spinal alignment and other innovations shaping the future of spine care. Designed for orthopaedic surgeons, neurological surgeons, fellows and residents, the meeting emphasizes evidence-based education and practical approaches that physicians can incorporate into clinical practice.
"The SMISS Annual Forum brings together many of the world's leading spine surgeons to exchange ideas that ultimately improve patient care," said Rajiv Sethi, MD, PhD, chief of the UCSF Division of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery and co-director of the UCSF Spine Center. "We are proud that UCSF faculty from both Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurological Surgery continue to contribute through research, innovation and education while helping advance the field of minimally invasive spine surgery."
UCSF faculty will also help lead the meeting's scientific program. David Gendelberg, MD, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery and spine surgeon, will serve as one of four Annual Forum Directors, helping oversee the meeting's scientific program and educational content.
"The annual forum is designed to give spine surgeons practical, evidence-based strategies they can bring directly into clinical practice," said Dr. Gendelberg. "This year's program highlights advances in minimally invasive surgery, robotics, endoscopy, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies while providing an opportunity for surgeons to learn from one another and improve patient care."
UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery faculty participating in this year's program include:
- Sigurd H. Berven, MD
- Ashraf N. El Naga, MD
- David Gendelberg, MD, Annual Forum Director
- Rajiv Sethi, MD, PhD
- Mark Xu, MD
UCSF Department of Neurological Surgery faculty participating include:
The 2026 Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Annual Forum will be held Sept. 10–12, 2026, at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
Additional information about the 2026 SMISS Annual Forum, including registration, meeting details and the complete preliminary scientific program, is available at:
- Annual Forum website: https://smiss26.eventscribe.net/index.asp
- Preliminary Scientific Program (PDF): https://2eb88d5a26c9d8f57ffb-aeafbf82c2963100e9056663ea595989.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/SMISS_2699_RJYVWPBZ_511_FINAL_2026_SMISS_PrelimProgrm.pdf
- Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, visit https://smiss.org/.
