Dr. David Okonkwo is Professor of Neurological Surgery and Director of the Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity Program at UPMC and Senior Medical Advisor to UPMC Enterprises, whose mission is to commercialize innovations in health care for life changing medicine.
Dr. Okonkwo completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia and earned both his MD and his PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University. He completed his residency in Neurological Surgery at the University of Virginia and a fellowship at Auckland Public Hospital in New Zealand. He joined UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh in 2006.
Dr. Okonkwo serves as Team Neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers, while also leading one of the premier research programs for neurotrauma in the U.S. with funding from the NIH, DOD, and industry. Through his patents, creativity, and research, Dr. Okonkwo has spent two decades developing technologies and treatments to transform management of concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and complex spinal disorders.