About the Physician
John C. Chiu, MD, FRCS, DSc
Director, Department Neurospine Surgery
Department of Neurospine Surgery
California Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
California Spine Institute Medical Center
1001 Newbury Rd.
Newbury Park , CA 91320
805/375-7900
chiu@spinecenter.com
Dr. John C. Chiu is a pioneer in the field of endoscopic spinal surgery. He is the President of California Spine Institute Medical Center and the founding chairman of American Academy of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery and Medicine. With extensive experience in minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), he is actively
involved in MISS clinical research, development and education. He received a D.Sc. degree in surgical research on Tissue Modulation Technology and appointed as a Professor of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery in Neurosurgery at American International University.
Dr. Chiu was involved in micro vascular neurosurgery and microspine surgery, before dedicating his practice to the advancement of minimally invasive spinal surgery and endoscopic spine surgery. He has been involved in the development of robotic surgery, telesurgery, OR of the Future, tissue modulation technology including laser thermodiskoplasty, and the use of radiofrequency and bipolar technology. He is an active advocate of redefining the algorhythm for the treatment of degenerative spinal disorders and spinal segmental motion preservation with MISS. He has served as a spinal consultant to eight companies related to MISS products and digital technology. He also served on a spinal advisory committee of one of the largest health care insurance company, and as a special advisor/consultant to a State Department of Labor and Work Force Development.
Co-editor of the textbook “Practice of Minimally Invasive Spinal Technique” (2000 and 2005 editions) and on the editorial board of the journal “Surgical Technology International” and the “Journal of Minimally Invasive Spine Technique,” Dr. Chiu has authored numerous articles in peer review journal and textbook chapters and other publications on MISS and related topics. He is a recipient of various honors and awards from professional societies, medical universities, and governmental entities, globally and in the US. Dr. Chiu has lectured and performed spine surgeries throughout the world. He has held visiting professorships at
universities worldwide and has served as course director for numerous spine surgery seminars and workshops both in the United States and abroad. He has written or presented over 700 papers (peer reviewed) at national and international scientific conferences, including North American Spine Society, American Academy of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, World Spine, World Congress of Neurosurgery and American Academy of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Medicine meetings. He also has demonstrated and performed numerous live endoscopic spine surgeries at major medical centers and university hospitals around the world. His patients have included international VIP’s, top government officials, generals and even a head of state. He has been invited as a lecturer, visiting professor, chairman of various conferences and keynote speaker on endoscopic MISS in numerous university medical centers, and in numerous countries including China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine,
Israel, Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Marrakesh, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, and others. Internationally, Dr. Chiu also has served as the honorary President of the Mexican Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Orthopedic and Trauma Society, Co-chairman of the 1 st Chinese International Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Congress, and others.
Born in Fukien China, he received his medical degree from Baylor University College of Medicine and Neurosurgical training at the Mayo School of Medicine. Further training and fellowship were undertaken at the State University of New York, University of Zurich and the University of Lund in Sweden. Dr. Chiu is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He has served as an advisor/consultant for American Medical Foundation for Peer Review and Education for major teaching hospitals and medical staff to establish proper peer review and credentialing process.
His outside interests include playing the Chinese classical musical instrument, Guzheng (Zither) and practice of martial arts and its philosophy, as a grand master in kung fu, ninjitsu, and jujitsu. He is a recipient of Martial Arts Lifetime Achievement Award of the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
