Academic position

Professor and Chair of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Zürich, Switzerland

Specialisation

Degenerative Spine Surgery
Cervical Spine Surgery
Deformities
Scoliosis
Complex revision surgery

Honors and awards

• Venel award 2017 (Swiss orthopaedics clinical research award) for ‘Long-Term Restoration of Anterior Shoulder Stability: A Retrospective Analysis of Arthroscopic Bankart Repair Versus Open Latarjet Procedure. J Bone Joint Surg Am, Zimmermann SM, Scheyerer MJ, Farshad M (Co-Author), Catanzaro S, Rahm S, Gerber C, Mazda Farshad, SO 2017
• 1st Balgrist Award in Clinical Research 2017 for “Cost-effectiveness of conservative versus surgical treatment strategies of lumbar spinal stenosis in the Swiss setting: analysis of the prospective multicenter Lumbar Stenosis Outcome Study (LSOS). A. Aichmaier, J. Burgstaller, M. Schwenkglenks, J. Steurer, F. Prochet, F. Brunner, M. Farshad (Co-Author)
• Nomination for European Spine full paper award 2016: “Cost Effectiveness of Conservative versus Surgical Treatment Strategies for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis - A Prospective Multicenter Analysis in the Swiss Setting” Alexander Aichmair, Jakob M. Burgstaller, Ulrike Held, Francois Porchet, Alexander Schwab, Johann Steurer, Mazda Farshad, Eurospine 2016
• Venel award 2015 (Swiss orthopaedics clinical research award) for ‘Tendon response to pharmacological stimulation of the chronically retracted rotator cuff in sheep’, Karl Wieser, Mazda Farshad (equally contributing), Dominik C. Meyer, Philipp Conze, Brigitte von Rechenberg, Christian Gerber, SGOT 2015
• Vontobel award 2015 for ‚Clinical outcome in lumbar decompression surgery for spinal canal stenosis in the aged population: a prospective Swiss multicenter cohort study’ (co-author)’. NH. Ulrich; F. Kleinstück; C. M. Woernle; A. Antoniadis; S. Winklhofer; JM Burgstaller; M. Farshad; J. Oberle; F. Porchet; K. Min
• Champagne award 2015 (Swiss orthopaedics special efforts award), SGOT 2015
• Venel award 2014 (Swiss orthopaedics clinical research award) for ‘Abduction extension cervical nerve root stress test: anatomical basis and clinical relevance’, M. Farshad and K. Min, SGOT 2014
• Nominated for the Melvin Post Award for Excellence in Clinical Research 2014 (co-author) for ‘Long-term outcome of segmental reconstruction of the humeral head for the treatment of locked posterior dislocation of the shoulder’, C. Gerber; S. Catanzaro; M.Jundt-Ecker; M. Farshad
• Nomination for the Neer Award 2013 (co-author) for ‘Long-term outcome of segmental reconstruction of the humeral head for the treatment of locked posterior dislocation of the shoulder’, C. Gerber; S. Catanzaro; M.Jundt‐Ecker; M.Farshad
• Nomination for the Maurice Müller best paper award (co-author) for ‘Salvage Arthrodesis after Failed Total Ankle Replacement versus Primary Ankle Arthrodesis in Patients with Endstage Osteoarthritis – A Matched Case Control Study’, S. Rahm; G. Klammer; E. Benninger; F. Gerber; M. Farshad; N. Espinosa, SGOT 2013
• 1st Balgrist Award in Clinical Research 2013 for ‘Does subacromial injection of a local anesthetic influence strength in healthy shoulders?: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.’ M. Farshad; M. Jundt-Ecker; R. Sutter; M. Schubert; Gerber C
• 1st Balgrist Award in Clinical Research 2012 for ’Quantitative Analysis of Muscle and Tendon Retraction in Chronic Rotator Cuff Tears’, D.C. Meyer; M. Farshad; N.A. Amacker; C. Gerber; K. Wieser; Am J Sports Med. 2011 Dec 29.
• Nominated for 1st Balgrist Award in Basic Science 2012 for ‘Rotator cuff muscles loose responsiveness to anabolic steroids after tendon tear and musculotendinous retraction.’ C. Gerber; DC. Meyer; B. Von Rechenberg; H. Hoppeler; R. Frigg; M. Farshad, AJSM 2012
• 1st Marathon Award of the swissSociety of Orthopaedics:‘Does subacromial injection of a local anesthetic influence strength in healthy shoulders? – A double blinded, placebo-controlled study’, M. Farshad; M. Jundt-Ecker; R. Sutter; M. Schubert M; C. Gerber, SGOT 2012
• 2nd award for the best paper ‘Do non-scientific factors influence citation rates of orthopedic journal articles?’, M. Farshad; C. Maier; C. Gerber, SGOT 2011

Academic career

Academic

• Since August 2017 Professor and Chair of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• Since September 2014 Head of Unit for Clinical and Applied Research (UCAR), Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• Since April 2013 ‘Privatdozent’(PD, Venia legendi) in Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• August 2012 - August 2013 Senior clinical associate in Orthopedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA Chief spine fellow, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA
• January 2011 - March 2011 Clinical in-rotation, Sports Surgery (Dr. S. Rodeo), Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA
• 2009 - 2012 Training as ‘Physician Scientist’ in Orthopedic Surgery (‘Fast track’, Prof. Dr. C. Gerber) 2007 - 2008 Resident in General and Trauma Surgery, City Hospital Triemli, Zürich, Switzerland

Clinical

• Since August 2017 Medical Director, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• Since July 2015 Chief (Chefarzt) of Division of Spine Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• November 2014 - June 2015 Head (Teamleiter) of Spine Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• July 2014 - November 2014 Deputy Head of Spine Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• March 2014 - June 2014 Consultant, Spine and Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• September 2013 - Februar 2014 Consultant, Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland
• August 2012 - August 2013 Clinical Spine/Scoliosis fellow, Chief spine fellow, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA
• January 2012 - August 2012 Junior Consultant, Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Switzerland

Continuing professional development

• 2009 - 2011 MPH, Master in public health, University of Zürich, Basel, Bern and aff. Harvard School of Public Health, with the thesis ‘Reconstruction versus conservative treatment after rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament: cost effectiveness analysis’ (Prof. T. Szucs)
• July 2010 “Management of Health Care Organizations”, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA
• July 2010 “Epidemiology”, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA
• June 2010 “Health reforms”, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• May 2010 “Environmental health”, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• April 2010 “Health politics”, University of Basel, Switzerland
• March 2010 “Research on accidents and injuries”, University of Bern, Switzerland
• January 2010 “Health promotion”, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• December 2009 “Health data resources”, Neuchatel, Switzerland
• November 2009 “Evidence in interventions of health”, University of Basel, Switzerland
• November 2009 “Evidence based Public Health”, University of Bern, Switzerland
• October 2009 “Best Practice in health promotion and prevention”, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• September 2009 “Socio-cultural transformations and Public Health”, Universtiy of Bern, Switzerland
• September 2009 “Processes and methods for research in Public Health”, Universtiy of Bern, Switzerland
• August 2009 “Advanced methods in Biostatistics”, University of Bern, Switzerland
• August 2009 “Biostatistics”, University of Bern, Switzerland
• July 2009 “From paper to computer records, ensuring data quality for analysis”, University of Bern, Switzerland
• June 2009 “Communication in health”, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• June 2009 “Descriptive and analytical methods and concepts in Epidemiology”, University of Zürich, Switzerland
• May 2009 “Basic concepts in Epidemiology”, University of Bern, Switzerland

Postgraduate

• 2012 Swiss Board Certification Exams for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology (FHM title for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Traumatology)
• 2007 MD, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, with the doctoral Thesis `Nitrates - a possible solution to cyclosporine induced hypertension after cardiac transplantation’ (Prof. G. Noll)
• 2001 - 2007 Medical School, University of Zürich, Switzerland, Clerkships at Duke University Hospital, North Carolina, USA and Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA Among top 3% in Numerus Clausus (entry exam for medical school)
• 2005 - 2009 US medical exams: ECFMG certificate (USMLE 1,2 CK+CS, 3) (Top 1% in USMLE 1 and Top 3% in USMLE 2)

Teaching posts

• Since 2015 Section editor for Spine Surgery Continuing Medical Education Program, European Spine Society
• Since 2014 Repetitive teaching to students, residents, fellows, attendings in Spine Surgery at the Balgrist University Hospital and the University of Zürich, Switzerland
• During 2013 Dedicated teaching in Spine Surgery to orthopedic residents, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA
• During 2012 Instructor (orthop. clinical examination) for primary physicians, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
• 2011 Instructor at the Balgrist Shoulder Course for orthopedic surgeons, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
• During 2009 - 2012 Teaching in basics of orthopedic surgery to undergraduate medical students, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
• 2010 CCMX Traveling Workshop: Biomaterials in clinical orthopedic applications: needs and opportunities; Rotator Cuff Tear: Etiology, State of the art in treatment, Research Horizons. Zürich, Switzerland
• During 2009 - 2010 Weekly teaching in orthopedic pathology to orthopedic mechanists, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
• During 2004 - 2005 Tutor for medical students at Institute for Anatomy, University of Zürich, Switzerland

Mentoring and Co-Mentoring of semester- or master-theses

• Cost-effectiveness of conservative versus surgical treatment strategies of lumbar spinal stenosis, Dissertation for MD, by Alexander Aichmair, 2016
• ‘Three-dimensional printed vertebrae of individual patient CT-scans: preoperative haptic simulation of spondylodesis surgery using posterior pedicle screw fixation’, Dissertation for MD, by Marco Burkhard, 2015, ongoing
• ‘Demographische Entwicklung im Schweizerischen Gesundheitssystem: eine retrospektive Trendanalyse zwischen 1999 und 2014’, Masterthesis MPH (Universität Wien), Dr.med. univ. Alexander M. Aichmair (1342571), 2016
• ‘Lumbar spinal degeneration - different classification systems’ Master-thesis in Medicine by F. Steinbrunner, 2015
• ‘Subjective spine value and pain pattern of spinal disorders’ Master-thesis in Medicine by T. Iseli, 2015, ongoing
• ‘Complications in orthopedic surgery - a classification system’ Master-thesis in Medicine by C. Wechsler, 2015, ongoing
• ‘Anterior scoliosis correction in Loetz Dietz Syndrome’ Master-thesis in Medicine by E. Winkler, 2015, ongoing
• ‘Zwei-Jahres Follow-up nach Implantation der Anatomical Inverse/Reverse Schulterprothese zur Behandlung der irreversiblen Rotatorenmanschettenruptur’ Dissertation for MD, by Maja Kägi, 2011
• ‘Mechanical preconditioning of tendon grafts as a new concept for graft preparation for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee’ Master-thesis in Biomechanics, by Robert Weinert-Alpin, 2010
• ‘Biologic resurfacing of glenoid: Biomechanical testing of a new concept’, Semester-thesis Biomechanics, by Alexandra Krause, 2010

Fellowships

• August 2012 - August 2013 Spine and Scoliosis Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, in aff. with Westchester Medical Center, New York, USA
• April 2012 - May 2013 Spinal tumors, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
• January 2012 - August 2012 Spine Surgery, University Hospital Balgrist, Dept. Orthopedics, University of Zürich, Switzerland

Memberships

• SGOT Active member Swiss orthopedics Expert group Spine Surgery Examinotor for Swiss Orthopedic Boards
• SGOT committee for Active member Quality and Methodic
• AOSpine AO Foundation - Spine, Bronze Member
• SRS Scoliosis Research Society - Candidate Member Committee growing spine
• VSS Swiss Scoliosis Association - Advisor (Fachbereirat)
• LSOS Lumbal stenosis outcome study - “Steuerungsausschuss”
• FMH Foederatio Medicorum Helveticorum
• Hochschul-Medizin ZH Fachausschuss

Disclosure of outside professional activities and interests

• Since October 2018 Incremed (Balgrist Start-up), Zurich, Switzerland, functions: Board of Directors, Shareholder, Vice Chairman
• Since August 2018 Swiss Orthopaedics (Professional Association for Orthopaedics), Grandvaux, Switzerland, functions: Board, Member
• Since June 2017 Ptognosyst (Balgrist Start-up), Zurich, Switzerland, functions: Board of Directors, Shareholder, Member

Scientific projects

Patents

• 2013 ‘Graft anchor system and method’, Inventors: Mazda Farshad, Beat Lechmann, Jess Snedeker, Nicolas Bouduban, Patrick Burki, United States Patent 20130261677
• 2011 ‘Allogenic articular cavity prosthesis and method for implanting the same’, Inventors: Andreas Appenzeller, Christian Gerber, Philippe Gedet, Daniel Fluri, Mazda Farshad, USPTO: 20110295375
• 2011 ‘Method and device for modeling tendinous tissue into a desired shape’, Inventors: Dominik C Meyer, Mazda Farshad, Jess G Snedeker, WO 2011/092262 A1

Reviewer and editorial board activities

• European Spine Journal Assistant, Editorial Board
• Annals of Public Health and Research, Editorial Board
• BMC Surgery, Reviewer
• PLOS One, Reviewer
• Spine Journal, Reviewer
• Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Reviewer
• European Radiology, Reviewer
• Scoliosis Journal, Reviewer
• Journal of Health Economics, Reviewer

Publications

• Publications / Citations