About Shane Burch, MD

Dr. Shane Burch, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in spinal disorders. He is a Professor in Residence in the UCSF Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery and cross appointed to the Department of Neurological Surgery.

Dr. Burch’s clinical practice focuses on the surgical treatment of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral regions of the spine. He is an international leader in computer assisted and robotic surgery and uses these techniques to perform both highly complex procedures and minimally invasive procedures of the spine.

He is currently the Director of Research for the Spine Division. His research focusses on the clinical outcomes of patients and the improvement of their quality of life following spine surgery. He has established a motion analysis system within the clinic to determine how patients move before and after surgery and is driving the use of digital technology to improve patient’s quality of care.

Dr. Burch is currently the Director of the Orthopedic Spine Fellowship program and has helped train over 40 Spine Fellows (surgeons) in complex spinal disorders and minimally invasive techniques over the last 15 years. He mentors undergraduate students, medical students, orthopedic residents, and clinical fellows through career counseling as well as direct mentorship for short-term and long-term research projects each year.   He is actively involved in Resident Education and works closely with the leadership of the UCSF Spine Center to improve both the Center’s collaboration and efficiencies with the UCSF combined Orthopedic and Neurosurgery Spine service. Representing the Department, he also sits on the UCSF campus-wide’s Risk Management Advisory Committee and Patient Safety Committee.

Dr. Burch received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Western Ontario, and his Medical Degree and Residency training from the University of Toronto, where he also completed a one-year research fellowship following residency.  In 2004, Dr. Burch completed a fellowship in Spinal Surgery at UCSF before joining the faculty in 2005. In his spare time Dr. Burch enjoys family life and running ultra-marathons and cycling in the Marin Headlands.