Brett A. Freedman

Brett A. Freedman, M.D., is a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Neurosurgery at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Chair of the Division of Spine Surgery. A retired U.S. Army Colonel with 24 years of service, he specialized in spinal trauma and served in Iraq and Germany, managing spine casualties from OIF/OEF. His clinical expertise focuses on degenerative and traumatic cervical/lumbar spine conditions. He holds leadership roles in professional organizations like the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and AO Spine.

Education:

• B.S., Vanderbilt University (1995)
• M.D., University of Illinois College of Medicine (2000)
• Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center (2006)
• Spine Fellowship: Emory University (2008)

Research: Dr. Freedman's work centers on optimizing spinal fusion techniques, spinal implant innovation, bone health, and clinical outcomes. Key areas include CT-based bone quality assessment, implant design, and reducing surgical complications. He has over 200 peer-reviewed publications.

Awards:

• Bronze Star Medal (2007)
• Top CORR Reviewer (2017, 2020)
• Founder’s Paper Award (2017)
• Order of Military Medical Merit (2014)

Professional Contributions: Leads Mayo’s Spine Surgery Division, chairs committees for AAOS and AOA, and contributes to telemedicine initiatives. Active in military healthcare and spinal trauma research.