Kern Singh, M.D.

10/24/2025

Honored. Motivated. Never Satisfied.

Huge thanks to Dr. Nathan Ma**er, spine surgeon from Vermont, for calling our ORs “the most efficient he’s ever seen.” Means a lot coming from someone who understands the grind.

I’m Kern Singh, MD — and this is why I never stop pushing:

📊 7,000+ patient database — not opinion, data
🔹 First in our group to do outpatient spine surgery
🔹 Negotiated with payors before outpatient spine codes even existed
🔹 Worked with Dr. Asokumar Buvanendran 18 years ago to build a simple, reproducible outpatient anesthesia protocol
🔹 Built an incredible team — nurses, X-ray techs, anesthesia, OR staff — the real engine behind the efficiency

I’m tired of hearing: “I’ve done it this way for years and it works.”
Great — show me the data.

I believe spine surgeons are athletes — if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse. I tell my trainees:
👉 If I’m doing the same thing next year, I’m declining.

Come watch us:
✅ Endoscopic cases
✅ Outpatient cervical laminoplasty
✅ Lumbar corpectomies — all done in the ASC
No gimmicks. No extra cost. Just reproducible outcomes.

Don’t say it can’t be done… until you’ve seen it done.

10/23/2025

Grateful to host Dr. Micah Smith and Dr. Nathan Ma**er this week through our STEP – Spine Training & Education Program.
During the am, they observed 11 spine cases, 8 of which were endoscopic including one bilateral C4-5 Laminectomy seamlessly executed thanks to the incredible teamwork of the Rush Oak Brook Anesthesia and Nursing Team. Their precision, efficiency, and professionalism make this kind of high-volume education possible.
We showcased our BEST (Biportal Endoscopic Spine Technology) non-disposable instrument trays – cost-effective, durable, and designed to improve access to endoscopic spine surgery without the waste and expense of disposables.
Proud to see STEP continuing to train the next generation of spine surgeons while pushing innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in spine care.
If you're interested in visiting, learning more, or bringing BEST to your ASC or hospital, feel free to reach out. Rush University Medical CenterMidwest Orthopaedics at Rush European Society of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (ESUBE)

10/16/2025

🚀 Training the Next Generation of Spine Surgeons

Through my STEP (Spine Training and Education Program), I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible surgeons like Dr. , Dr. Sanjay Khurana, and Dr. Shelby Burks — all advancing the art and science of biportal endoscopic spine surgery.

At STEP, we focus on hands-on learning, innovation, and making advanced spine techniques accessible and affordable.

💡 Excited to share that we’re now offering our non-disposable biportal instrument tray and reusable cannulas — built to be ASC- and hospital-friendly while maintaining surgical precision.

If you’re a surgeon interested in:
✅ Visiting STEP to observe or train
✅ Learning biportal endoscopy
✅ Exploring cost-effective, reusable instrument solutions

📩 DM me — always happy to collaborate, share knowledge, and continue pushing the field forward.

10/09/2025

Another Successful STEP Training Day

An incredible day in the OR as part of our Surgeon Training Education Program (STEP). I had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Shelby Burks, neurosurgeon from The University of Miami, for a full day of spine surgery and education.

Together, we completed 10 complex cases:
✅ 2 cervical disc replacements
✅ 7 biportal endoscopic spine surgeries (including one on an orthopedic surgeon!)
✅ A two-level lumbar laminectomy for severe stenosis due to facet arthropathy on a spine surgeon’s father
✅ And a posterior ALIF for a patient who traveled from Arkansas for care

Dr. Burks was able to see the efficiency and rhythm of our OR team and experience the precision and versatility of biportal endoscopy firsthand.

Programs like STEP are what keep our field advancing — providing opportunities for collaboration, education, and continuous improvement in surgical technique and patient outcomes.

Looking forward to seeing Dr. Burks again soon in Park City for the Selby Spine Meeting!

09/22/2025

🙏 Honored & grateful!

I’m humbled to be recognized by my peers as a Top Doctor in the Chicagoland area. Every day, my mission is to advance minimally invasive and endoscopic outpatient spine surgery, train the next generation of surgeons, and provide world-class care to my patients.

This recognition is possible because of an amazing team, supportive colleagues, and the trust of patients who put their health in my hands.

Thank you all for being part of this journey. 💙

09/19/2025

🌍 Honored to continue shaping the future of spine surgery through Biportal Endoscopy training!

Today, I had the privilege of hosting 6 practicing spine surgeons who all paid their own way to learn from me and experience firsthand why Biportal is becoming the most talked-about minimally invasive technique worldwide.

🔥 What set this program apart:

– live and hands-on in REAL Operating Rooms with REAL Instruments

3 concurrent simulators + 1 Virtual Reality simulator for unmatched immersion

Surgeons observed 2 Biportal cases performed by me in our ASC right beforehand

Then stepped directly into the same OR for 2+ hours of hands-on training with the B.E.S.T. (Biportal Endoscopic Surgical TRAY) instruments

The momentum behind Biportal is undeniable, and it’s clear why: faster recovery, less tissue trauma, and precision that elevates patient outcomes.

It’s inspiring to see highly skilled surgeons investing their time and resources to master this technique—and I’m proud to be leading that movement.

The future is Biportal. 🚀 Contact me directly for the next lab and the NON-DISPOSABLE Endoscopic Trays!

Gideon BlumsteinSteven Fineberg, MD, FAAOSWylie LopezJon AhnMohammad ShukairyAlexander Butler, MD European Society of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (ESUBE)ISASS: The International Society for Advancement of Spine SurgeryAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)

09/12/2025

On the latest episode of Spinal Strength, your hosts Kern Singh, MD and Alex Sroka dive into the ketogenic craze—exploring what’s science, what’s myth, and how it really affects your health.
We’ll break down:
⚡ What “getting into ketosis” means (and why it’s not as mystical as it sounds)
⚡ The pros, cons, and pitfalls of the keto lifestyle
⚡ How you can separate hype from helpful advice when making diet choices
It’s a blend of science, storytelling, and a dash of humor—because who doesn’t love talking about bacon and biochemistry in the same breath?
🎧 Listen here: https://shor.by/G78v
hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag Rush University Medical Center Rush University Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush Alexander Sroka

09/05/2025

Another great STEP (Surgeon Training Endoscopic Program) day!
It was a pleasure to host Eric Belin, MD from Wisconsin as part of the program. He was able to observe 5 complex biportal endoscopic spine cases in the morning and we had the chance to exchange ideas and experiences throughout the day.

STEP is all about collaboration, mentorship, and growing the endoscopic community. The biportal wave continues to build, and it’s exciting to see more surgeons joining in.

09/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BVo6C34iT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

After severe cervical spinal stenosis, 65-year-old Todd found relief with Dr. Kern Singh’s endoscopic spine surgery.

09/04/2025

Ever wondered how intermittent fasting impacts your energy, focus, and long-term health?
In this week’s episode, we dive deep into the science and strategy behind intermittent fasting—what works, what’s hype, and how it can support spinal health, recovery, and performance.
Whether you’re a clinician, athlete, or just curious about optimizing your body and brain, this one’s for you.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4xdr6BPCFcaaImjeTouF8w?si=9bDJKr5bReOghMnUFErHWg

💬 Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments—I’d love to hear how fasting fits into your routine.

08/27/2025

On the latest episode of Spinal Strength, I sit down with my co-host Sroka to tackle one of the biggest debates in the grocery aisle: Does buying organic actually make a difference for your health—or your wallet?
We cut through the marketing, dive into the science, and share some surprising facts (and myths!) about what’s behind that little green label.
🔊 Tune in if you’ve ever wondered:
Is organic food truly more nutritious?
Does it reduce exposure to harmful chemicals?
Or is it mostly a branding game?
As always, we keep it evidence-based, practical, and a little fun—because making healthy choices shouldn’t be confusing.

https://shor.by/G78v

Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush

08/13/2025

Latest episode just dropped!!!