Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: Dr. Roger Hartl on Trends and Innovations in Spine Surgery

Release Date: January 18, 2026
Guest: Dr. Roger Hartl, Director of Neurosurgery Spine at Weill Cornell Medicine
Host: Carly Beem

Episode Overview

This episode of Becker’s Healthcare Podcast features Dr. Roger Hartl, a leading spine neurosurgeon and director at Weill Cornell Medicine. The discussion centers on the most influential trends shaping spine surgery today—artificial intelligence (AI), biologics, and robotics/navigation—plus the practical realities and challenges of building a truly integrated, multidisciplinary spine care center. Dr. Hartl also shares insights on maintaining patient-focused care amidst rapid technological change and offers guidance for healthcare leaders and spine surgeons navigating this evolving field.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Dr. Hartl’s Background and the Scope of His Work

[00:27 - 00:48]

• Dr. Hartl runs the spine program at Weill Cornell Medicine, co-directs the multidisciplinary Och Spine program at NewYork-Presbyterian, and works closely with Columbia colleagues.
• Emphasizes large-scale integration of spine services across two major academic centers.

2. Top Trends in Spine Surgery

[00:56 - 02:57]

• Artificial Intelligence (AI):
  Growing presence in both clinical and operative realms.

• Biologics (Disc Repair and Regeneration):
  Advances beyond traditional fusions, particularly in repairing and regenerating damaged discs.

• Navigation and Robotics:
  Enhancing minimally invasive surgical techniques and precision in the OR.

  “The most exciting [areas]… are artificial intelligence, biologics, and the whole area of navigation and robotics.” — Dr. Hartl [02:53]

3. The Promise and Challenge of Spine Biologics

[02:58 - 06:22]

• Regulatory hurdles have slowed progress in spine biologics, especially in interventions for degenerative disc disease.

• Notable research in using stem cells and biologics for disc repair—including collaboration with biomedical engineers and the launch of a startup to translate collagen glue-based repairs to clinical use.

• Recurrent disc herniation after discectomy is a persistent, largely unsolved clinical problem. Current mechanical solutions (e.g., implants like Barricaid) exist, but a true biological solution remains a "holy grail."

  “How do you prevent recurrent disc herniation? It’s really a totally untapped problem… We don’t really have a good solution.” — Dr. Hartl [05:19]

4. Building and Operating Multidisciplinary Spine Programs

[06:22 - 10:44]

• Integral to innovation and clinical research in spine care is robust, multidisciplinary teamwork—combining operative and non-operative providers in one space.

• Och Spine’s flagship center in Hudson Yards exemplifies this, uniting Columbia and Cornell doctors, surgeons, physical therapists, radiologists, etc., under a comprehensive clinical and research roof.

• Institutional support from the hospital and universities was key to overcoming bureaucratic challenges.

• Dr. Hartl’s advice to hospital leaders:
  Start grassroots—build a core engaged team, hold weekly conferences, track volumes and outcomes, then leverage data to draw in broader institutional support.

  “It didn’t happen out of the blue… We started meeting every week and we had a case conference… [and] we could show that it increased our productivity, and that’s how the hospital started paying attention.” — Dr. Hartl [09:14]

5. Artificial Intelligence in Spine Practice

[10:49 - 14:19]

• AI is now entwined with many clinical and academic workflows, such as:

  • Preoperative patient evaluation
  • Literature reviews and manuscript preparation
  • Intraoperative advances: partnering with companies (e.g., Brainlab) to integrate AI-driven segmentation and augmented reality into the OR, guiding surgeons using visualized landmarks
  • Potential for automated scribe technology in clinical documentation

• Focus remains on maintaining the integrity, safety, and ethics of applied AI tools.

  “You can literally then have the AI guide you through an operation from A to Z… project this information into the visual field of the surgeon.”— Dr. Hartl [12:44]

6. Pros and Cons of AI Integration

[14:19 - 15:27]

• Pros:

  • Efficiency in information management and workflow
  • Improved literature analysis and documentation
  • Enhanced surgery assistance/navigation

• Cons & Cautions:

  • Vital to double- and triple-check AI outputs for safety, accuracy, and ethical use—especially in clinical research or manuscript writing

  “You always gotta make sure that you check and double check and triple check… But I think that we’re going to get better at this and eventually it’s going to be more and more common practice.” — Dr. Hartl [15:15]

7. Advice for Spine Surgeons: Thriving Through Human Connection

[15:43 - 17:39]

• Despite technological advances, the "art" of patient communication and empathy remains paramount.

• The complexity of spine patients’ symptoms, both neurological and psychological, means that strong communication is what truly distinguishes great care and prevents misunderstandings—even as the field becomes ever more tech-driven.

  “At the end of the day… you got to take the time to communicate with your patients and be available. That’s… the biggest challenge… Communication, empathy, and sometimes just taking a step back and thinking about the basics.” — Dr. Hartl [16:30]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the integration of disciplines:
  “We just opened, actually a year ago… our spine center in Hudson Yards where we have 60,000 square feet. It’s the first time that Columbia and Cornell doctors work together in one space.” [06:46]
• On AI’s future in surgical workflow:
  “Any spine operation could really be benefiting from this type of automatic segmentation and integration through microscope or the exoscope…” [13:23]
• On the essential role of communication:
  “It’s really an old principle… but it’s just even more important now than it used to be, I think.” [17:16]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:27-00:48 – Dr. Hartl’s background and program scope
• 00:56-02:57 – Top trends: AI, biologics, robotics/navigation
• 02:58-06:22 – Innovations and unmet needs in spine biologics
• 06:22-10:44 – Building integrated multidisciplinary spine centers
• 10:49-14:19 – Using AI in clinical and operative settings
• 14:19-15:27 – Pros/cons and cautions of AI adoption
• 15:43-17:39 – Patient communication and surgeon advice

Summary

Dr. Roger Hartl’s episode offers a comprehensive look at where spine surgery is heading—in technology, research, and clinical collaboration. He underscores the balance required between embracing innovation (AI, biologics, robotics/navigation) and sustaining the humanistic foundations of medicine. His practical advice for program development and daily practice is rooted in two decades’ experience and an unwavering focus on patient well-being. This is a must-listen for healthcare leaders and spine specialists navigating the fast-evolving landscape of modern medicine.