Meet Dr. Leonel Hunt

Leonel A. Hunt, MD is an attending surgeon at the Cedar-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders and Cedars-Sinai Orthopedic Center. Dr. Hunt specializes in the treatment of pediatric and adult scoliosis, complex spine disorders and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Dr. Hunt's primary areas of research interest involve orthopedic implants and innovative treatments of spine-related pain. He has presented his findings at numerous national conferences, including meetings of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, International Musculoskeletal Laser Society, Scoliosis Research Society and Western Orthopedic Association.

Dr. Hunt co-authored a chapter for the book Surgical Techniques in Spinal Instrumentation: BowTi Anterior Buttress Staple. He is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine, American College of Surgery, National Medical Association, North American Spine Society and Scoliosis Research Society.

Dr. Hunt received his bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from the University of Southern California (USC) School of Medicine. He completed an internship in general surgery at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta and a residency in orthopedic surgery at St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco. Dr. Hunt also completed specialty training in orthopedic surgery of the spine focusing on both adult and pediatric spinal disorders at the San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders in La Jolla, California.

Curriculum Vitae

CURRICULUM VITAE

LEONEL A. HUNT, M.D.

ADDRESS:
444 S. San Vicente Blvd., Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Email: huntl@cshs.org
Phone: (310) 423-9834

EDUCATION

High School:
Fort Pierce Central High School, 1986-1990
Fort Pierce, Florida

Undergraduate:
Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering, 1990-1994
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
Concentration in Life Sciences and Physiology/Material Science

Medicine:
Doctor of Medicine, 1994-1998
University of Southern California School of Medicine
Los Angeles, California

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING

Internship
General Surgery Resident, 1998-1999
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia

Residency Training
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident, 1999-2003
San Francisco Orthopaedic Residency Program
St. Mary’s Medical Center
San Francisco, CA

Fellowship Training
Spine Surgery Fellowship, 2003-2004
Adult and Pediatric Spinal Deformity
San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders – Behrooz Akbarnia, M.D.
San Diego, CA

APPOINTMENTS

2005 to present
Director of Spine Trauma
Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders
Los Angeles, California

2004 to present
Attending Surgeon
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

2003 to present
Attending Surgeon
Scripps Memorial Hospital
La Jolla, CA

2003 to present
Attending Surgeon
Sharp Memorial Hospital
San Diego, CA

2003 to present
Attending Surgeon
Children’s Hospital of San Diego
San Diego, CA

2003 to present
Attending Surgeon
University of California at San Diego
Thornton Hospital
San Diego, CA

MAJOR COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

2005 - 2006
Education Committee - Scoliosis Research Society

CURRENT IRB APPROVED RESEARCH
Prospective, non-randomized multi-center evaluation of the extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) approach for the treatment of adult scoliosis

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data for the use of Stand-alone XLIF for the treatment of adult lumbar degenerative scoliosis

Retrospective review of data collected for Thoracic pedicle subtraction osteotomies

Prospective, non-randomized study looking at diffusion tensor imaging and tractography in disc herniation of the cervical spine

PAST RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Research in lipid biochemistry and diabetes examining the process of protein purification and isolation with Annabelle Rodriguez, MD. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1991 – 1992

Research in lipid biochemistry and molecular biology examining the various methods of DNA isolation from coronary artery disease patients with Peter O. Kwiterovich, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Atherosclerosis. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1992 – 1993

Research in lipid biochemistry and molecular biology developing a method for Apolipoprotein E phenotyping with Peter O. Kwiterovich, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Atherosclerosis. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1993-1994

Research in Orthopaedic Surgery evaluating the effects of different laser energies on the inferior glenohumoral ligament complex with C. Thomas Vangsness, MD, Associate Professor Orthopaedic Surgery, Chief of Sports Medicine. University of Southern California School of Medicine, 1995-1996

Research in Orthopaedic Surgery and Stem Cell Biology evaluating limb allograft tolerance using hematopoeitic stem cells with Irvin Weissman, MD. Stanford University School of Medicine, 2000-2001

Research in Orthopaedic Spine Surgery performing a retrospective analysis of the effects of surgical treatment of spine related thoracic pain syndrome with James Zucherman, MD and Ken Hsu, MD. St. Mary’s Spine Center, San Francisco, CA, 2001-2003

Research in Orthopaedic Surgery studying the anatomy of the superior gluteal neurovascular bundle in relationship to percutaneous placement of femoral intramedullary piriformis nail with William McGann, MD. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA. 2001-2003

Research in Orthopaedic Spine surgery developing an implant system for posterior C1-2 cervical fusion in conjunction with Kamshad Raiszadeh, M.D. La Jolla Spine Institute, La Jolla, CA, 2003-2004

HONORS AND AWARDS

1990
Rose Award for Academic Excellence – Links of America
Academic Scholar Award – National Scholarship Committee

1990 –1992
Lawnwood Regional Medical Center Academic Scholarship Award, Ft. Pierce, Florida

1990-1994
The Johns Hopkins University Scholarship – Full Tuition

1993
Student Excellence Award for Leadership and Service – The Johns Hopkins University
Polemarch’s Award for Service – Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

1993
National Dean’s List
Letter of Commendation – Governor of Maryland
Citizen Citation – Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland
Resolution – City Council of Baltimore, Maryland
Award for Outstanding Achievement – Neighborhood Health Worker’s Training Program, Baltimore, Maryland

1994–1998
Van Horne Scholarship – Full Tuition, University of Southern California School of Medicine

1995 – 1998
Lawnwood Regional Medical Center Academic Scholarship Award, Ft. Pierce, Florida

1996-1998
Outstanding Young Men of America

1999
Excellent Teaching Resident Award – Emory University School of Medicine
Award for Excellence in Clinical Training – Emory University Physician Assistant Program

2003
Resident Research Award – San Francisco Orthopaedic Residency Program, St. Mary’s Medical Center

2007
Strathmore’s Who’s Who
“America’s Top Orthopedists” – Consumer’s Research Council of America

2008
America’s Leading Doctors 2008 – Black Enterprise Magazine

LICENSURE AND BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
United States Medical Licensing Examination
California Medical Licensure
Drug Enforcement Agency
Basic Life Support
Advanced Trauma Life Support/Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, Personal Trainer Primary Certification
American Council on Exercise, Personal Trainer Certification

ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Scoliosis Research Society
North American Spine Society
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American College of Sports Medicine
American College of Surgery
National Medical Association
National Society for Black Engineers
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

PUBLICATIONS IN PREPARATION:

Nomoto E, Hunt G, Hunt L. Thoracic Vertebrae Avascular Necrosis in Sickle Cell Anemia: A Case Report.

Nomoto E, Hunt G, Hunt L. Late Presentation of Abdomonal Wall Hernia Folllowing XLIF Procedure for Lumbar Fusion: A Case Report.

Hunt, L., Akbarnia, B. Congenital Kyphoscoiliosis in Conradi’s Disease: A 26-year Follow-up After Anterior and Posterior Spinal Fusion. Submitted

Hunt, L., Hsu, K., Zucherman, J. Surgical Management of Spondylogenic Thoracic Pain. Submitted.

Hunt, L., McGann, W., Shapiro, M., Welch, R. Management of the Hip Joint Capsule in Total Hip Arthroplasty. Submitted.

Hunt, L., Shapiro, M., McGann, W. Safe Zone for Percutaneous Placement of Intramedullary Femoral Nail. Submitted.

Hunt, L., Vangsness, C., Sadaat, V., Gong, N., Selecky, M. Effects of Different Laser Energies on the Inferior Glenohumeral Ligament Complex. Submitted.

BOOK CHAPTERS:

Hunt, L., Akbarnia, B. Surgical Techniques in Spinal Instrumentation: BowTi Anterior Buttress Staple, edited by Kim and Vaccaro

Anand N, Perri BR: Posterior cervical osteotomy techniques. In: Vaccaro A (ed) Atlas of Operative Techniques in Spinal Surgery, Elsevier, New York, NY, 2007. Surgical Instructional DVD for chapter by Leonel Hunt, MD and Gabriel Hunt, MD.

PRESENTATIONS

Hunt, L., Vangsness, C., Sadaat, V., Gong, N., Selecky, M: Effects of Different Laser Energies on the Inferior Glenohumoral Ligament Complex. International Musculoskeletal Laser Society Meeting. Kassel, Germany. November 7-10, 1996.

Hunt, L., Cheshire, S., Pathak, A., Weissman, I: Limb Allograft Transplant Tolerance with Hematopoeitic Stem Cell Transplant: A Mouse Parabiosis Model. 6th Annual Research Day, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA. June 12, 2000.

Hunt, L., Shapiro, M., McGann, W: Safe Zone for Percutaneous Placement of Intramedullary Femoral Nail. 7th Annual Research Symposium, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA. June 8, 2001

Hunt, L., Shapiro, M., McGann, W: Safe Zone for Percutaneous Placement of Intramedullary Femoral Nail. National Medical Association Annual Meeting. Honolulu, Hawaii, August 2002.

Hunt, L., Shapiro, M., McGann, W: Safe Zone for Percutaneous Placement of Intramedullary Femoral Nail. Western Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting. Maui, Hawaii, August 2002.

Hunt, L., Hsu, K., Zucherman, J: Surgical Management of Spondylogenic Thoracic Pain. . National Medical Association Annual Meeting. Honolulu, Hawaii, August 2002.

Hunt, L., McGann, W., Shapiro, M., Welch, R: Management of the Hip Joint Capsule in Total Hip Arthroplasty. 9th Annual Research Symposium, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, June 6, 2003.

Hunt, L., Akbarnia, B: Congenital Kyphoscoiliosis in Conradi’s Disease: A 26-year Follow-up After Anterior and Posterior Spinal Fusion. Scoliosis Research Society Traveling Fellows, San Diego, CA, May 14, 2004.

Hunt, L., Raiszadeh, K. et al: Hybrid Posterior Atlantoaxial Fixation: A Biomechanical Comparison to Established Techniques. Depuy Fellows Conference, Boston, MA, June 19, 2004.

Hunt, L., Akbarnia, B: Congenital Kyphoscoiliosis in Conradi’s Disease: A 26-year Follow-up After Anterior and Posterior Spinal Fusion. 19th Isola Study Group Meeting, Kansas City, MO. August 20-21, 2004.

Hunt, L., Raiszadeh, K. et al: Hybrid Posterior Atlantoaxial Fixation: A Biomechanical Comparison to Established Techniques. 19th Isola Study Group Meeting, Kansas City, MO. August 20-21, 2004.

12. Johnson JP, Melamed H, Anand N, Hunt LA, Pashman RS, Wolcott PW: Asymmetric pedicle subtraction osteotomy with partial vertebrectomy for correction of fixed combined coronal and sagittal imbalance: a new twist on an old technique. American Association of Neurological Surgeons, San Francisco, CA, April 2006.

13. Johnson JP, Melamed H, Hunt L, Pashman RS, Anand N, Wolcott WP: Asymmetric pedicle subtraction osteotomy with partial vertebrectomy for correction of fixed combined coronal and sagittal imbalance: a new twist on an old technique. Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Boston, Massachusetts, October 2005.

POSTERS

Hunt, L., Vangsness, C., Sadaat, V., Gong, N., Selecky, M: Effects of Different Laser Energies on the Inferior Glenohumoral Ligament Complex. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 64th Annual Meeting. San Francisco, California. February 13-17, 1997.

Hunt, L., Hsu, K., Zucherman, J: Surgical Management of Spondylogenic Thoracic Pain. Western Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting. Maui, Hawaii, August 2002.

Hunt, L., Raiszadeh, K. et al: Hybrid Posterior Atlantoaxial Fixation: A Biomechanical Comparison to Established Techniques. 32nd Annual Meeting of the Cervical Spine Research Society. Boston, MA, December – 20004

Hunt, L., Raiszadeh, K. et al: Hybrid Posterior Atlantoaxial Fixation: A Biomechanical Comparison to Established Techniques. World Spine III. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. July 31-August 3, 2005.

Melamed H, Hunt L, Johnson JP, Pashman RS, Wolcott WP: Asymmetric pedicle subtraction osteotomy with partial vertebrectomy for correction of fixed combined coronal and sagittal imbalance: a new twist on an old technique. International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST), Banff, Alberta, Canada, July 2005.

Johnson JP, Melamed H, Hunt LA, Pashman RS, Anand N, Wolcott PW: Asymetric pedicle subtraction osteotomy with partial vertebrectomy for correction of fixed combined coronal and sagittal imbalance: a new twist on an old technique. AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, Lake Buena Vista, FL, March 2006.

Johnson JP, Melamed H, Hunt LA, Pashman RS, Anand N, Wolcott PW: Asymmetric pedicle subtraction osteotomy with partial vertebrectomy for correction of fixed combined coronal and sagittal imbalance: a new twist on an old technique. American Association of Neurological Surgeons, San Francisco, CA, April 2006.

Johnson JP, Chuang S, Hunt L, Anand N, Pashman RS, Hedman T: Investigation of Injectable Collagen Crosslinking as an Alternative and Adjunctive Procedure in the Treatment of Spinal Deformity. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, October 2006.

Hunt L, Vasudevan R, Hunt G: Stand-Alone XLIF for Degenerative Scoliosis: A Retrospective Review. International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST). Vienna, Austria. July, 2009.

Hunt L, Vasudevan R, Hunt G: Stand-Alone XLIF for Degenerative Scoliosis: A Retrospective Review. North American Spine Society. San Francisco, California. November, 2009.

COURSES

Inflatable Bone Tamp Technology Course, Kyphon, Inc., Irvine, CA, August 23, 2003

Fundamental Principles and Techniques of Spinal Surgery, Medtronic/Sofamor Danek, San Diego, CA, September 4-6, 2003

MaXcess Cadaver Lab Training, XLIF/TLIF/Decompression/Neurovision, NuVasive, Inc., San Diego, CA, December 13, 2003

Charite’ Artificial Disc Replacement Training Course, Depuy Spine, Inc., Cincinnati, OH, March 2005

Prodiisc Cervical disc replacement training, Synthes Spine, Los Angeles, CA, March,2008

MEDIA/PRESS

Television:            “Trauma: Life in the ER”; Highland Hospital, Oakland, CA. Surgical case televised - 2001. Courtesy of The Learning Channel (TLC).

Radio:            “Low Back Pain and Injury in Athletes”; Dodger Radio Interview – September 2004.

Press: America’s Leading Doctors 2008 – Black Enterprise Magazine

INTRAMURAL PRESENTATIONS

“Charcot Arthropathy”. Orthopaedic Surgery Grand Rounds, University of Southern California School of Medicine, 1996

“Anatomy of the Pelvis, Hip, and Thigh”. Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 1999

“Anatomy of the Leg, Foot, and Ankle”. Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 1999

“Spine and Spinal Cord Anatomy”. Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 1999

“Scoliosis”. Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2000

“Digit Contractures”. Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2000

“Mucopolysaccharidoses”. Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2000

“Acetabular Fractures”. Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2000

“Knee Biomechanics”. Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2000

“Principles of Tendon Transfers”. Orthopaedic Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2001

“The Meniscus: Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology “. Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2001

“The Effects of Aging on Bone, Cartilage, and Joints”. Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center. San Francisco, CA, 2001

“Pediatric Knee Disorders”. Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2001

“Bone Grafting”. Orthopaedic Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2002

“Digit Contractures”. Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2002

“Spine Injury Management/Post Injury Rehabilitation”. Orthopaedic Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2002

“Exercise Physiology”. Orthopaedic Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2002

“Cervical Spine Injuries”. Orthopaedic Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2002

“Adult Scoliosis”, UCSD Spine Conference, UCSD Medical Center Hillcrest, San Diego, CA, 2003

“Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis”, UCSD Spine Conference, UCSD Medical Center Hillcrest, San Diego, CA, 2003

“Clubfoot”. Orthopaedic Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2003

“Cervical Spine Congenital Anomalies”. Orthopaedic Lecture Series, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 2003

Presentation, “Complications with Surgical Management of Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis”, Western Orthopaedic Association Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2004

Case Presentation, “Posttraumatic Kyphosis”, Isola Study Group Meeting, Dallas, TX, 2004

Case Presentation, “Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis”, Isola Study Group Meeting, Dallas, TX, 2004

“Spondylolisthesis”, UCSD Spine Conference, UCSD Medical Center Hillcrest, San Diego, CA, 2004

Case Presentation, “Asymmetric Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy for Fixed Sagittal and Coronal Imbalance’, Isola Study Group Meeting, Miami, FL, 2005

Case Presentation, “Surgical Management of Complex Adult Scoliosis”, Isola Study Group Meeting, Miami, FL, 2005

“Spinal Biomechanics”, CSISD Spine Conference, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 2005.

“Role of Spinal Fusion Today”, CSISD Back Pain Conference, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 2005.

“Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy: Spinal Cord Level (T1 to L1)”, 5th Annual Symposium on Current Concepts in Spinal Disorders, Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 3-4, 2006.

“Surgical Correction of Sagittal Imbalance in Spinal Deformity”, CSISD Spine Conference, Los Angeles, CA, 2006.

“Chronic Low Back pain”, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center Conference on Office Orthopaedics: The Essentials of Non-Operative Musculoskeletal Care, Los Angeles, CA, May 20, 2006.

“Adult Spinal Deformity: Surgical Management”, Grand Rounds Cedars-Sinai Department of Rehabilitation, Los Angeles, CA, May 2006.

“XLIF for Degenerative Scoliosis”, 6th Annual Symposium on Current Concepts in Spinal Disorders, Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders, Las Vegas, Nevada February 2007.

“ Lumbar Spinal Disorders: Surgical Management and Outcomes”, Medical and Surgical Advances in Neurology and Neurosurgery 2008, Cedars-Sinai Department of Neurosurgery, Los Angeles, CA, February 16-17, 2008.

“Mechanisms of Injury and Management of Spinal Trauma”, Achieving Excellence in the Management and Rehabilitation of Spinal Disorders, Cedars-Sinai Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Los Angeles, CA, September 20, 2008.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Kappa League Youth Basketball Program, Coordinator, 1991 – 1994

Neighborhood Healthworker – Heart, Body, and Soul Project – The Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine, 1992 – 1994

Tutor, Excel Program for elementary school students
Volunteer, Community Outreach Program, University of Southern California School of Medicine, 1994 – 1995

HIV/AIDS Counselor, State of California, University of Southern California School of Medicine, 1995 – 1998
Project Santa Claus – Martin Luther King, Jr. Medical Center, 1996 – 1997

Tutor, Human Gross Anatomy, University of Southern California School of Medicine, 1997

Our Priority

Our top priority is always Patient Care! We understand the concerns that our patients have and we always do our best to make them feel comfortable about whatever decision they make.