Coimbatore’s Dr S. Rajasekaran elected to lead Global Spine Congress

COIMBATORE: Dr (Prof) S. Rajasekaran, Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Spine Surgery at Ganga Medical Center and Hospitals, Coimbatore, has been appointed Chairperson-elect of the Global Spine Congress (GSC), a recognition of his decades of pioneering research, clinical excellence and global leadership in spine surgery.

Dr Rajasekaran will assume office as Chairperson following the Global Spine Congress 2027 in Yokohama, Japan, and will serve a three-year term. He will succeed Prof Jeffrey C. Wang, who is set to take over as President of AO.

The appointment marks a significant milestone for Indian spine surgery and for Coimbatore’s growing global standing in advanced healthcare. It places a Coimbatore-based surgeon at the helm of one of the world’s most influential scientific forums dedicated to spine surgery and spinal disorders.

For more than three decades, Dr Rajasekaran has contributed to shaping modern spine surgery from Coimbatore, building a body of clinical and scientific work that has resonated far beyond India. Widely recognised internationally for his contributions to spine surgery, research and academic leadership, he has also had a longstanding association with AO Spine and other international spine societies. His longstanding association with AO Spine and other international spine societies is expected to bring continuity, perspective and a broader global outlook to the role at a time when the congress continues to evolve in both scale and influence.

Since its inception, the GSC has been designed as a truly international platform bringing together spine surgeons, researchers and allied professionals to exchange knowledge, assess new technologies, strengthen collaboration and advance patient care. Under Wang’s leadership, the congress has expanded its scientific reach and global participation, while maintaining a strong focus on innovation, diversity, evidence-based discussions and international engagement.

What began as a meeting with 392 delegates in San Francisco in 2009 has grown into a major global scientific congress, drawing more than 2,500 participants to its 2026 edition in Istanbul.

Acknowledging Wang’s contribution to the growth of the congress, Dr Rajasekaran said his leadership had laid a strong foundation for the future.

“His work has created a strong foundation on which we continue to build. We need a congress that showcases innovation and also critically evaluates it. Ultimately, the value of GSC lies in what surgeons take back to their patients,” he said.

Outlining his vision for the congress, Dr Rajasekaran said the Global Spine Congress had become an important international forum where ideas are tested, challenged and translated into practice.

“As Chairperson, my goal is to further strengthen its scientific rigor while ensuring it remains clinically relevant for surgeons working in very different environments. I would like to see even broader participation from across regions, so that the exchange remains balanced, inclusive and grounded in real-world practice,” he said.

The leadership transition at GSC comes alongside a broader shift within AO. Prof Jeffrey C. Wang, Chief of Orthopaedic Spine Service at the USC Spine Center in Los Angeles and the current Chairperson of GSC, will take over as the next AO President, reinforcing the close relationship between the congress and AO Spine’s broader mission.

Wang has played a key role in shaping the congress from its early years as a global forum for evaluating emerging spine technologies, fostering mentorship and advancing international collaboration in spine care.

“It has been a privilege to serve as Chairperson of the Global Spine Congress and to see how it has evolved into one of the most international and collaborative meetings in spine surgery,” Wang said.

“I am very pleased to welcome Professor Rajasekaran into this role. He brings a unique combination of academic leadership, clinical insight and global perspective that aligns strongly with what GSC represents. I am confident he will continue to build on this foundation and guide the congress through its next phase.”

Ganga Medical Center and Hospitals, where Dr Rajasekaran leads the Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Spine Surgery, is regarded as one of Asia’s leading orthopaedic and spine care institutions. Patients from across India and overseas travel to the hospital for treatment of complex spinal disorders, while surgeons from several countries regularly visit the institution for advanced training.

The hospital has become synonymous with clinical excellence, innovation and research, demonstrating that world-class healthcare can emerge from cities beyond India’s metropolitan centres.

With decades of experience as a surgeon, researcher, teacher and academic leader, Dr Rajasekaran is expected to guide the Global Spine Congress through its next phase of scientific advancement, while strengthening international collaboration and ensuring that innovation continues to improve patient care.