Innovation in minimally invasive spinal deformity surgery a focus of the 2026 Herche Lectures

Emerging technologies can increase access to the most complex and specialized spine surgeries while also improving outcomes, Dr. Roland Kent says.

The featured presenter at the 2026 Herche Lectureship in Surgical Innovation, held August 20-22 in Cincinnati, Dr. Kent spoke on “Evolution of Minimally Invasive Robotic-Assisted Adult Deformity Correction: The Democratization of Deformity Surgery.” The lecture series is sponsored by the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation and includes the expert surgeons of Mayfield Brain & Spine.

"There's something to be said for time-honored strategies backed by data," said Dr. Kent, co-founder of the Axis Spine Center in Post Falls, Idaho. "But if you never evolve, you risk missing opportunities to improve patient care. The challenge is finding the balance between those two ideas."

Dr. Kent and other lecturers shared their spinal deformity expertise with medical residents, fellows and practicing physicians, followed by hands-on sessions in the Mayfield Surgical Innovation Center, the cadaveric lab operated by the Mayfield Foundation.

After becoming comfortable with the techniques he had been taught during training, Dr. Kent began searching for ways to improve outcomes and efficiency. He compared that journey to the story of legendary British cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky, which transformed professional cycling by seeking incremental advantages from experts across multiple disciplines.

"I think of deformity surgery as the Tour de France of surgery," Dr. Kent said. "These are complex patients facing significant challenges, and we owe it to them to look for every opportunity to improve."

Dr. Kent stressed the importance of self-awareness, efficiency, teamwork and a willingness to embrace technologies that improve specific parts of the surgical process. He also explored advances including patient-specific rods and customized interbody implants. He said every patient presents unique anatomical and alignment considerations, making precision planning increasingly important in complex deformity correction.

"Success comes through optimization of the individual elements of deformity surgery," he said.

Following Dr. Kent's presentation, Mayfield spine surgeon Dr. Ryan Godinsky presented, "The Sustainable Spine Surgeon: Reducing Cognitive Load, Preventing Burnout and Enhancing Patient Outcomes."

"Medicine is a marathon of sprints," he said. Drawing on his own experience as both a surgeon and educator, Dr. Godinsky said teaching others has strengthened his own technical skills and decision-making.

The program also featured a video message highlighting the vision of David and Wendy Herche, whose generosity established the Herche Lectureship. Dr. William Tobler, a retired Mayfield neurosurgeon who chairs the Mayfield Foundation, said "changing the future by investing in the present," continues to shape the program's mission of advancing surgical education and innovation.

The Herche Lectureship supports surgical education, fostering innovation and helping train the next generation of neurosurgical and spine leaders. By bringing nationally recognized experts to Cincinnati for lectures and hands-on training, the program provides a forum for exploring the technologies and techniques that will shape the future of patient care.

About the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation:

About the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation: The Mayfield Education & Research Foundation is an affiliated non-profit of Mayfield Brain & Spine. It collaborates with partners throughout the industry on leading-edge research on complex cranial and spine disorders. The Foundation also operates the Mayfield Surgical Innovation Center, an advanced training center for medical residents, fellows and other training programs. Founded in 1937, Mayfield Brain & Spine is a nationally known independent neurosurgery practice, with 22 neurosurgeons, one orthopedic spine surgeon, one neuro-oncologist and six interventional pain physicians. Mayfield surgeons and providers served more than 36,600 patients in 2025.


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