Augustus John (A.J.) Rush III

• 2021 Spinal Surgery Fellowship, Rush University Medical Center
• 2020 Orthopeadic Surgery Residency, Jackson Memorial Hospital /University of Miami
• 2015 Doctor of Medicine with Honors, Baylor College of Medicine
• 2010 Bachelor of Science, Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University

• D Magazine Best Doctors:  2022
• Golden Apple Award (Teacher of the Year), Rush University, Chicago, IL
• 2021                International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) Young Surgeon Grant Award, Miami, FL
• 2020                American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Emerging Leaders Program
• 2019                Selected to attend American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) McCollister Leadership Forum, San Diego, CA
• 2016                George Paff Intern Award (Teacher of the Year), Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
• 2015                MD with Honors, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
• 2015                Medical Student Orthopaedic Surgery Award, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
• 2015                Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
• 2010                Cum Laude Graduate, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
• 2010                Chi Omega Lambda Molecular Biology Honor Society, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
• 2009                Lurcy Research Grant Recipient, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
• 2007                National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
• 2006                Founder’s Scholarship, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

Peer-reviewed publications:

1. Rush A III, Shepard N, Nolte M, Siemionow K, Phillips F. Augmented Reality in Spine Surgery: Current State of the Art. International Journal of Spine Surgery. Accepted.
2. Lynch CP, Cha ED, Rush AJ, Jadczak CN, Mohan S, Geoghegan CE, Singh K. Outcomes of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using Unilateral vs Bilateral Interbody Cages. Neurospine. Accepted.
3. Shepard N, Rush A III, Scarborough N, Carter A, Phillips F. Demineralized Bone Matrix in Spine Surgery: A Review of Current Applications and Future Trends. International Journal of Spine Surgery. 2021 Apr; 15(s1): 113-119.
4. Parrish JM, Jenkins NW, Massel DH, Rush AJ III, Parrish MS, Hrynewycz NM, Brundage TS, Van Horn R, Singh K. The Perioperative Symptom Severity of Higher Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Scores Among Gender in Single Level Lumbar Fusion. International Journal of Spine Surgery. 2021 Feb; 15(1):62-73.
5. Desai S, Rizzo M, Rush AJ III, Rosenberg A, Al Maaieh M. Amyloidoma: A Review and Case Series. Skeletal Radiology. 2021 Feb; 50(2):437-444.
6. Zalika A, Rush A, Fullerton N, Dodds S. A Retrospective Review of Differences in Complication Rates Between Dorsal Percutaneous and Mini-Open Surgical Fixation of Scaphoid Fractures. Journal of Wrist Surgery. 2021 Feb; 10(1):42-47.
7. Alam M, Shufflebarger HL, Rush AJ, Rosas S, Lavelle WF, Sponseller PD, Asghar J. Delayed Quariparesis after Posterior Spinal Fusion for Scoliosis: A Case Series. Spine Deformity. 2020 Oct; 8(5):1075-1080.
8. Cohen-Levy W, Rush AJ 3rd, Goldstein J, Sheu J, Hernandez-Irizarry R, Quinnan S. Tranexamic Acid with Pre-Op Suspension of Anticoagulation Decreases Operative Time and Blood Transfusion in the Treatment of Pelvic and Acetabulum Fractures. International Orthopaedics. 2020 Sep; 44(9):1815-1822.
9. Parrish J, Vakharia R, Benson D, Hoyt A, Kaplan J, Rush A 3rd, Roche M, Aiyer A. Patients with Opioid Use Disorder Have Increased Readmission Rates, Emergency Room Visits, and Costs Following a Hallux Valgus Procedure. Foot & Ankle Specialist. 2020 Aug; online ahead of print.
10. Massel D, Rush A, Foremny G, Trapana J, Jenkins N, Donnally C, Subhawong T, Aiyer A. MRI and Clinical Risk Indicators for Osteomyelitis. Foot & Ankle Specialist. 2020 May; online ahead of print.
11. Aiyer A,Sankar V, Summers S, Rush A 3rd, Kaplan JRM, Varacallo M, Marsh JL, Levine WN. Unifying the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Application Process Under a Single Accreditation System: A Primer. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2020 Apr; 28(7):263-267.
12. Dodds S, Rush AJ, 3rd, Staggers J. A Mini-Open, Dorsal Approach for Scaphoid Fracture Fixation with a Ligament Sparing Arthrotomy. Techniques in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery. 2020 Mar; 24(1):32-36.
13. Donnally CJ, 3rd, Sheu J, Bondar K, Mouhanna J, Li D, Butler A, Rush AJ, 3rd, Gjolaj J. Is There a Correlation Between Pre-Operative or Post-Operative Vitamin D Levels with Pseudoarthrosis, Hardware Failure, and Revisions Following Lumbar Spine Surgery? World Neurosurgery. 2019; 130:e431-437.
14. Donnally CJ, 3rd, Sheu JI, Roth ES, Allegra PR, Rush AJ, 3rd, Shin SH, Dodds SD. An Elevated Metrorail as a Source of Orthopedic Injuries and Death at a Level-I Trauma Center. Iowa Orthopaedic Journal.2019; 39(1):159-164.
15. Butler AJ, Alam M, Wiley K, Ghasem A, Rush AJ, Wang JC. Endoscopic Lumbar Surgery: The State of the Art in 2019. Neurospine. 2019 Mar; 16(1):15-23.
16. Donnally CJ, 3rd, Rivera S, Rush AJ, 3rd, Bondar KJ, Boden AL, Wang MY. The 100 most influential spine fracture publications. Journal of Spine Surgery. 2019 Mar; 5(1):97-109.
17. Donnally CJ, 3rd, Butler AJ, Rush AJ, 3rd, Bondar KJ, Wang MY, Eismont FJ. The most influential publications in cervical myelopathy. Journal of Spine Surgery. 2018 Dec; 4(4):770-779.
18. Donnally CJ, 3rd, McCormick, JR, Li, DJ, Maguire, JA, Jr, Barker, GP, Rush, AJ 3rd, Wang, MY. How do physician demographics, training, social media usage, online presence, and wait times influence online physician review scores for spine surgeons? Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. 2018 Nov; 30(2):279-288.
19. Donnally CJ, 3rd, Rush, AJ, 3rd, Rivera, S, Vakharia, RM, Vakharia, AM, Massel, DH, Eismont FJ. An epidural injection in the 6 months preceding a lumbar decompression without fusion predisposes patients to post-operative infections. Journal of Spine Surgery. 2018 Sep; 4(3):529-533.
20. Vakharia, RM, Donnally, CJ, 3rd, Rush, AJ, 3rd, Vakharia, AM, Berglund, DD, Law TY, Wang MY. Comparison of Implant Survivability in Primary 1 to 2-Level Lumbar Fusion Amongst Opioid Abusers and Non-Opioid Abusers: A Retrospective Analysis. Journal of Spine Surgery. 2018 Jul; 4(3):568-574.
21. Donnally CJ, 3rd, Vakharia, RM, Rush, AJ, 3rd, Damodar, D, Vakharia, AJ, Goz, V, Lebwohl, NH. Fibromyalgia as a predictor of increased post-operative complications, readmission rates and hospital costs in patients undergoing posterior lumbar spine fusion. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2019 Feb; 44(4):E233-E238.
22. Donnally CJ, 3rd, Li DJ, Maguire JA, Jr, Roth ES, Barker GP, McCormick JR, Rush AJ, 3rd, Lebwohl NH. How social media, training, and demographics influence online reviews across three leading review websites for spine surgeons. Spine Journal. 2018 Nov; 18(11):2081-2090.
23. Donnally CJ, 3rd, Metser G, Roth ES, Young JPM, Rush AJ, 3rd, Al Maaieh MA. Spine Trauma from Personal Watercraft Usage. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2018 Sep; 43(17): E1033-E1039.
24. Rush AJ, 3rd, P. D. Patel, S. Shemesh, T. K. Subhawong and J. Pretell-Mazzini. Treatment modalities and outcomes of pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumor: a systematic review of the literature. Musculoskeletal Surgery. 2018 Dec; 102(3):213-221.
25. Roche M, Law TY, Kurowicki J, Rosas S, Rush AJ, 3rd. Effect of Obesity on Total Knee Arthroplasty Costs and Revision Rate. Journal of Knee Surgery. 2018 Jan; 31(1): 38-42.
26. Scott AR, Sanderson CJ, Rush AJ, 3rd, Alore EA, Naik AD, Berger DH, Suliburk JW. Constructing post-surgical discharge instructions through a Delphi consensus methodology. Patient Education and Counseling. 2018 May; 101(5):917-925.
27. Roche M, Law TY, Rosas S, Rush AJ, 3rd, Khlopas A, Chughtai M, Mont MA. Transfusion Requirements Following Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Preexisting Blood Dyscrasia. Surgical Technology International. 2017 Jul; 25(30):435-440.
28. Donnally CJ 3rd, Lawrie CM, Rush AJ, 3rd, Baitner AC. The Season of Hoverboards: A Case Series of Fractures. Pediatric Emergency Care. 2017 May; 33(5):325-328.
29. Rizer M, Foremny GB, Rush A, 3rd, Singer AD, Baraga M, Kaplan LD, Jose J. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction tunnel size: causes of tunnel enlargement and implications for single versus two-stage revision reconstruction. Skeletal Radiology. 2017 Feb; 46(2):161-169.
30. Scott A, Rush AJ, 3rd, Balentine C, Naik A, Berger D, Suliburk J. Surgical follow-up costs disproportionately impact low-income patients. Journal of Surgical Research. 2015; 199(1):32-38.
31. Vialou V, Cui H, Perello M, Mahgoub M, Yu HG, Rush AJ, Pranav H, Jung S, Yangisawa M, Zigman JM, Elmquist JK, Nestler EJ, Lutter M. The Role of ΔFosB in Calorie Restriction Induced Metabolic Changes. Biological Psychiatry. 2011; 70(2):204-207.
32. Vialou V, Robison AJ, Laplant QC, Covington HE 3rd, Dietz DM, Ohnishi YN, Mouzon E, Rush AJ, 3rd, Watts EL, Wallace DL, Iñiguez SD, Ohnishi YH, Steiner MA, Warren BL, Krishnan V, Bolaños CA, Neve RL, Ghose S, Berton O, Tamminga CA, Nestler EJ. DeltaFosB in Brain Reward Circuits Mediates Resilience to Stress. Nature Neuroscience. 2010; 13(6):745-52.
33. Covington HE 3rd, Maze I, LaPlant QC, Vialou VF, Ohnishi YN, Berton O, Fass DM, Renthal W, Rush AJ, 3rd, Wu EY, Ghose S, Krishnan V, Russo SJ, Tamminga C, Haggarty SJ, Nestler EJ. Antidepressant Actions of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors. Journal of Neuroscience. 2009; 29(37):1145-1160.

Presentations:

1. Siyaj Zi, Shepard N, Sullivan T, Rush AJ III, Phillips F, An H. Risk Factors for Index Level Fusion Following Lumbar Microdiscectomy. Poster Presentation: North American Spine Society Annual Meeting. Boston, MA. October 2021.
2. Rush A III, Siyaji Z, Shepard N, Sullivan T, Sayari A, Baker J, Zavras A, Basques B, Phillips F. Comparison of Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing One- and Two-Level Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy. AO Fellows Forum. Virtual. May 2021.
3. Shepard N, Siyaji Z, Sullivan T, Rush A, Bhattaram R, Goldberg E, Phillips F, An H. Risk Factors for Index Level Fusion Following Lumbar Microdiscectomy. AO Fellows Forum. Virtual. May 2021.
4. Nolte MT, Harada GK, Sayari AJ, Rush AJ III, Kogan M, Colman MW, An H, Phillips FM, Samartzis D. Pediatric Back Pain: a Scoring System to Guide Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Podium Presentation: International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery Annual Meeting. Miami, FL. May 2021.
5. Jenkins NW, Parrish JM, Massel DH, Rush III AJ, Mohan S, Geoghegan CE, Hrynewycz NM, Singh K. A Validation of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for Cervical Spine Surgery. Presentation: Cervical Spine Research Society. Las Vegas, NV. December 2020.
6. Siyaji Z, Hornung A, Mallow G, Rush A, Piracha A, Berkowitz M, Sayari A, Ahmed M, Phillips F, Lopez G. Clinical Differences in Operative Characteristics and Complications Between Stand-Alone ALIF and ALIF with Posterior Instrumentation. Poster Presentation: Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Las Vegas, NV. October 2020.
7. Lynch CP, Cha EDK, Parrish JM, Jenkins NW, Massel DH, Rush III A, Hyrnewycz NM, Jadczak CN, Geoghegan CE, Mohan S, Singh K. Outpatient Minimally Invasive Lumbar Fusion Using Multimodal Analgesic Management in The Ambulatory Surgery Setting. Presentation: Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Las Vegas, NV. October 2020.
8. Cha EDK, Parrish JM, Jenkins NW, Lynch CP, Rush III A, Massel DH, Mohan S, Jadczak CN, Hrynewycz N, Geoghegan CE, Singh K.Assessing Minimal Clinically Important Difference Thresholds for Minimally Invasive -Transforaminal Interbody Fusion at Two Years. Poster Presentation: Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Las Vegas, NV. October 2020.
9. Parrish JM, Jenkins NW, Lynch CP, Cha EDK, Massel DH, Rush III A, Mohan S, Geoghegan CE, Jadczak CN, Singh K.Validation of Physical Function Outcomes With VR-12 Following MIS LD. Poster Presentation: Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Las Vegas, NV. October 2020.
10. Lynch CP, Cha EDK, Parrish JM, Jenkins NW, Rush III A, Massel DH, Geoghegan CE, Mohan S, Hrynewycz, NM, Jadczak CN, Singh K. Establishing A Two-Year Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) Threshold for Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression. Poster Presentation: Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Las Vegas, NV. October 2020.
11. Parrish JM, Jenkins NW, Lynch CP, Cha EDK, Massel DH, Rush III A, Mohan S, Geoghegan CE, Jadczak CN, Singh K. Validation of Physical Function Outcomes With VR-12 Following MIS LD.Poster Presentation: Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Las Vegas, NV. October 2020.
12. Parrish JM, Jenkins NW, Lynch CP, Cha EDK, Massel DH, Rush III A, Mohan S, Geoghegan CE, Jadczak CN, Singh. 2-year Postoperative Validation of PROMIS Physical Function Following Lumbar Decompression. K.Poster Presentation: Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Las Vegas, NV. October 2020.
13. Parrish JM, Jenkins NW, Rush AJ III,Massel DH, Hrynewycz NM, Brundage TS, Podnar J, Buvanendran A, Singh K. Outpatient minimally invasive lumbar fusion using multimodal analgesic management in the ambulatory surgery setting. Presentation: North American Spine Society Annual Meeting. October 2020.
14. Parrish JM, Jenkins NW, Massel DM, Rush AJ 3rd, Hrynewycz NM, Brundage TS, Singh, K. Validating Patient Health Questionnaire-9 with Global Outcomes in Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy. Podium Presentation: Lumbar Spine Research Society; Chicago, IL. April 2020.
15. Mulder M. Iyengar R. Cohen-Levy W, Eidelson S, Rush AJ, Dudaryk R, Quinnan S, Proctor K. Continuous Hemoglobin Monitoring During Orthopedic Trauma Surgery. Poster Presentation: Florida Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; Orlando, FL. March 2019.
16. Massel D, Donnally C, Rush A, Rivera S, Vakharia A, Vakharia R, Eismont F. An Epidural Steroid Injection in the 6 months preceding a lumbar decompression without fusion predisposes patients to post-operative infections. Poster Presentation: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; Las Vegas, Nevada. March 2019.
17. Rush A, Donnally C, Vakharia R, Damodor D, Goz V, Vakharia A, Lebwohl N. Fibromyalgia as a Predictor of Increased Post-Operative Complications, Readmission Rates and Hospital Costs in Patients Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Spine Fusion. Paper Presentation: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; Las Vegas, Nevada. March 2019.
18. Levy W, Vakharia R, Rush A, Law T, Hernandez V, Roche M. Sleep Apnea, A Risk Factor for Medical and Implant Related Complications Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty. Paper Presentation: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; Las Vegas, Nevada. March 2019.
19. Levy W, Rush A, Sheu J, Goldstein J, Quinnan S. Intra-Operative Tranexamic Acid and Pre-Operative Discontinuation of Prophylactic Anticoagulation, Combined, Decrease Operative Time and Need for Blood Product Transfusion. Paper Presentation: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; Las Vegas, Nevada. March 2019.
20. Levy W, Rush A, Sheu J, Goldstein J, Quinnan S. Timing of Definitive Fixation of Isolated Pelvic and Acetabulum Fractures Does Not Impact Blood Loss, Blood Product Transfusion and OR Time. Poster Presentation: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; Las Vegas, Nevada. March 2019
21. Levy W, Vakharia R, Rush A, Law T, Hernandez V, Roche MW. Sleep Apnea, A Risk Factor for Medical and Implant Related Complications Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty. American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Annual Meeting; Dallas, TX. November 2018.
22. Rush A, Zalikha A, Dodds S. Complications after Percutaneous Compared to Mini-Open Scaphoid Screw Fixation. iPoster Presentation: American Society for Surgery of the Hand Annual Meeting; Boston, MA. September 2018.

23. Massel D, Rush A, Foremny G, Trapana J, Jenkins N, Donnally C, Subhawong T, Aiyer A. Risk Indicators for Osteomyelitis versus Osteitis on MRI. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society; Boston, MA. July 2018.
24. Rush A, Donnally C, Lawrie C, Sheu J, Gunder M, Quinnan S. Primary Intramedullary Nailing of Open Tibia Fractures Due to Low Velocity Gunshots: Does Operative Debridement Increase Infection Rates? Podium Presentation: Southern Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting; West Palm Beach, FL. July 2018.

25. Donnally CJ, 3rd, Metser, G, Roth, ES, Moo-Young, JP, Rush, AJ, 3rd, Al Maaieh, MA, “Spine Trauma from Personal Watercraft Usage.” Spine (Phila Pa 1976). Podium Presentation: Florida Orthopedic Society; St. Petersburg, FL. June 2018. Awarded 2^nd place in resident competition.
26. Mulder M, Eidelson S, Levy W, Rush A, Bar-Eli H, Karcutskie C, Dudaryk R, Quinnan S, Proctor K. Is There a Compelling Reason to Continuously Monitor Hemaglobin During Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery. Podium Presentation: Florida Committee on Trauma; Orlando, FL. April 2018.
27. Law T, Roche M, Rosas S, Rush A, Khlopas A, Chug M, Kurwicki J, Newman J, Mont M. Transfusion Requirements Following Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Preexisting Blood. Podium Presentation: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; New Orleans, LA. March 2018.
28. Scott A, Sanderson C, Rush A, Alore E, Street R, Naik A, Berger D, Suliburk J. Improving Thyroidectomy Discharge Instructions Through a Delphi Consensus Method. Poster Presentation: 5th Annual Resident Research Day Symposium; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. June 2017.
29. Rush A, Donnally C, Lawrie C, Baitner A. The Season of Hoverboards: A Case Series of Fractures. Podium Presentation: Southern Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting; Naples, FL. July 2016.
30. Rush A, Alam M, Shufflebarger H, Lavelle W, Sponseller P, Asghar J. Delayed Quadraparesis After Posterior Spinal Fusion for Scoliosis: A Case Series. Podium Presentation: Southern Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting; Naples, FL. July 2016.
31. Scott A, Rush A, Balentine C, Naik A, Berger D, Suliburk J. Patient-Centered Costs Disproportionately Impact Low Income Patients. Poster Presentation: American Surgical Congress; Las Vegas, NV. Febuary 2015.
32. Scott A, Sanderson C, Rush A, Naik A, Berger D, Suliburk J. Improved Thyroidectomy Discharge Instructions. American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress; San Francisco, CA. Oct 2014.
33. Rush A, Balentine C, Scott A, Davis R, Chen D, Berger D, Suliburk J. A Randomized Trial of Mobile Health Based Screening for Postoperative Visit Following Laparoscopic Appendectomy. Poster Presentation: 2nd Annual Resident Research Day Symposium; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. June 2014.

Book Chapters:

1. Rush A, Shah H, Gjolaj J. Lumbosacral and Pelvic Reconstruction in Tumor Patients. In: Fanous A, Manzano G, Wang M, Levi A (Eds.): Spine and Spinal Cord Tumors (Classification, Management, and Treatment). New York, NY: Thieme Publishers. (Submitted)

Lectures:

1. “Strategies and Principles for Handling Difficult Revision Surgery.” Seattle Science Foundation Interesting Case Conference. April 27, 2021.
2. “Solitary Spinal Metastasis: Workup and Modern Treatment Options, Intralesional Treatment.” AO Spine North America Fellows Webinar. March 16, 2021
3. “Single Position Anterior/Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion.” Seattle Science Foundation Interesting Case Conference. October 20, 2020
4. “Augmented Reality in Spine Surgery.” Department of Orthopaedics Grand Rounds, Rush University Medical Center. January 20, 2021.
5. “Bone Graft Options in Lumbar Spine Surgery.” Department of Orthopaedics Grand Rounds, University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. February 13, 2020.
6. “Carpal Instability.” Orthopaedic Hand Department Conference. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. September 16, 2019.
7. “Heat Illness in Athletes.” Department of Sports Medicine Conference, University of Miami. July 29, 2019.
8. “NSAIDs and Bone Healing: A Review of the Literature.” Department of Orthopaedics Grand Rounds, University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. March 21, 2019.
9. “MCL Injuries.” Department of Sports Medicine Conference, University of Miami. December 18, 2018.