Gunnar B.J. Andersson, MD, PhD, is The Ronald L. DeWald, MD Professor and Chairman Emeritus of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. He was chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery from 1994 to 2008. Dr. Andersson has been at the forefront of spine surgery research and education for more than 30 years. He is a member of 17 editorial boards, editor-in- chief of Spinal News International, a deputy editor for Spine, founding editor of Contemporary Spine Surgery and an associate editor of Clinical Biomechanics. He is the author of over 330 original publications, 160 books and book chapters and 530 abstracts. His focus has been spinal disorders. Dr. Andersson is a past president of the Orthopaedic Research Society, the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine and the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians.