Mazda Farshad, MPH
Surgeon-in Chief, Orthopedics and Spine Surgery
Head of the University Spine Center
Founder of EndoSpine Academy
Prof. Mazda Farshad, MD, MPH, FACS, is an internationally highly renowned spine surgeon, scientist, and surgical leader with a clear ambition: to deliver exceptional care with measurable benefits for patients. As Medical CEO and Surgeon-in-Chief of Balgrist University Hospital, Chair of Orthopaedics at the University of Zurich, and Director of the University Spine Center Zurich, Prof. Farshad combines highly specialised spine…
Prof. Mazda Farshad, MD, MPH, FACS, is an internationally highly renowned spine surgeon, scientist, and surgical leader with a clear ambition: to deliver exceptional care with measurable benefits for patients. As Medical CEO and Surgeon-in-Chief of Balgrist University Hospital, Chair of Orthopaedics at the University of Zurich, and Director of the University Spine Center Zurich, Prof. Farshad combines highly specialised spine surgery with scientific innovation and strategic leadership. His clinical experience includes more than 5,000 surgeries, personally performed.
After studying medicine in Zurich and completing most of his orthopaedic training at Balgrist, Prof. Farshad specialised as Chief Spine Fellow at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and further developed his expertise in spinal tumour surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Following an appointment as a consultant at Geneva University Hospitals, Prof. Farshad returned to Balgrist, becoming Head of Spine Surgery in 2015 and Medical Director and Chair of Orthopaedics in 2017. Prof. Farshad complemented his leadership experience with the Surgical Leadership Program at Harvard Medical School.
Through new surgical techniques and extensive clinical and scientific work, Prof. Farshad has substantially contributed to the evolution of modern spine surgery, including endoscopic spine surgery. The EndoSpine Academy, founded by Prof. Farshad, ranks among the world’s leading initiatives for education and training in this field. By establishing the Unit for Clinical and Applied Research (UCAR), the University Spine Center Zurich, and the OR-X surgical research and training centre, Prof. Farshad created infrastructure that connects research directly with surgical practice. As principal investigator of SURGENT, Prof. Farshad also advances patient-specific surgical planning and precision surgery.
A Master of Public Health complements his surgical expertise with a strong foundation in epidemiology, health services research, and health economics. Scientific studies on the cost-effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical treatments demonstrate Prof. Farshad’s expertise in value-based healthcare: care that combines treatment quality, long-term patient benefit, and responsible use of resources. Numerous research awards, patent applications, and the national SIWF award for outstanding contributions to postgraduate medical education reflect Prof. Farshad’s commitment to advancing spine surgery and orthopaedics across clinical care, research, and education.
Academic position
Professor and Chair of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Zurich, Switzerland
Specialisation
Surgical Expertise of Prof. Farshad ( > 5000 Surgeries)
The full spectrum of spine surgery:
- Degenerative spine surgery: treatment of disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis
- Adult spinal deformity surgery: correction of complex deformities and spinal imbalance
- Complex spinal deformities in children and adolescents
- Scoliosis surgery: correction and stabilisation of spinal curvature
- Minimally invasive spine surgery
- Endoscopic spine surgery
- Cervical spine surgery
- Thoracic and lumbar spine surgery
- Spinal tumour and sarcoma surgery: including complex tumour resections
- Kyphosis correction: restoration of spinal alignment and balance
- Surgery of the osteoporotic spine: treatment of fractures, instability, and deformity
- Complex revision spine surgery: further surgery following previous spinal procedures
- Salvage spine surgery: reconstruction following major complications or unsuccessful previous treatments
- Patient-specific spine surgery: individualised surgical planning and precision surgery
- Alternatives to spinal fusion: motion-preserving surgery and dynamic stabilisation
Honors and awards
Selected Awards
- 2025 — Top CEO (Newsweek)
- 2024 — Cisco Global Advocate Award, Unified Experiences Trailblazer
- 2023 — SIWF Award: recognition for special contributions to postgraduate medical education.
- 2019 — First Balgrist Award in Clinical Research: risk factors for perioperative morbidity in 1,009 consecutive spine surgery patients.
- 2018 — First Balgrist Award in Clinical Research: lumbar foraminal stenosis, clinical symptoms, and response to periradicular infiltration; co-author, with A. Hoch named as the award recipient.
- 2017 — Venel Award, Swiss Orthopaedics: long-term restoration of anterior shoulder stability; co-author.
- 2017 — First Balgrist Award in Clinical Research: cost-effectiveness of conservative and surgical treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis; co-author.
- 2015 — Venel Award, Swiss Orthopaedics: tendon response to pharmacological stimulation in chronic rotator cuff tears; equally contributing author.
- 2015 — Vontobel Award: outcomes of lumbar decompression surgery in older patients; co-author.
- 2015 — Champagne Award, Swiss Orthopaedics: recognition for special contributions to orthopaedics.
- 2014 — Venel Award, Swiss Orthopaedics: anatomical basis and clinical relevance of the abduction–extension cervical nerve root stress test.
- 2013 — First Balgrist Award in Clinical Research: a randomised, placebo-controlled study on subacromial local anaesthetic injection and shoulder strength.
- 2012 — First Balgrist Award in Clinical Research: quantitative analysis of muscle and tendon retraction in chronic rotator cuff tears; co-author.
- 2012 — First Marathon Award, Swiss Orthopaedics: a randomised, placebo-controlled study on subacromial local anaesthetic injection and shoulder strength.
- 2011 — Second Best Paper Award, Swiss Orthopaedics: non-scientific factors influencing citation rates in orthopaedic journals.
Selected Award Nominations
- 2016 — Nominated for the European Spine Full Paper Award: cost-effectiveness of conservative and surgical treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis; co-author.
- 2014 — Nominated for the Melvin Post Award for Excellence in Clinical Research: long-term outcomes of humeral head reconstruction for locked posterior shoulder dislocation; co-author.
- 2013 — Nominated for the Neer Award: long-term outcomes of humeral head reconstruction for locked posterior shoulder dislocation; co-author.
- 2012 — Nominated for the First Balgrist Award in Basic Science: loss of responsiveness to anabolic steroids in chronically torn rotator cuff muscles; co-author.
Graduate
- 2024 — Subspecialty qualification in specialised traumatology
- 2021 — Subspecialty qualification in interdisciplinary spine surgery
- 2019–2021 — Surgical Leadership Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- 2012–2013 — Fellowship in Spine and Scoliosis Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery in affiliation with Westchester Medical Center, New York, USA; served as Chief Spine Fellow
- 2012–2013 — Specialist training in spinal tumour surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
- 2012 — Swiss board certification in Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology
- 2012 — Clinical Fellowship in Spine Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- 2011 — Training in sports surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA
- 2009–2012 — Physician-Scientist Training in Orthopaedic Surgery, fast-track programme under Prof. Christian Gerber, Balgrist University Hospital, Switzerland
- 2009–2011 — Master of Public Health (MPH), Universities of Zurich, Basel, and Bern, with affiliated coursework at Harvard School of Public Health; thesis on the cost-effectiveness of surgical versus non-surgical treatment following anterior cruciate ligament rupture
- 2010 — Further training in healthcare management and epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA
- 2007–2008 — Residency in General and Trauma Surgery, Triemli City Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2007 — Doctor of Medicine (Dr. med.), University of Zurich, Switzerland
- 2005–2009 — United States Medical Licensing Examinations and ECFMG certification: USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK/CS, and Step 3; scores in the top 1% in Step 1 and top 3% in Step 2
- 2001–2007 — Medical studies, University of Zurich, Switzerland; clinical clerkships at Duke University Hospital, North Carolina, and Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA
Academic career
Academic
| Since August 2017 | Professor and Chair of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Zürich, Switzerland |
| 2014–2019 | Founder and Head of Unit for Clinical and Applied Research (UCAR), Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Switzerland |
| 2013–2017 | ‘Privatdozent’ (PD, Venia legendi) in Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Switzerland |
| 08/2012–08/2013 | Senior clinical associate in Orthopedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA Chief spine fellow, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA |
| 01/2011–03/2011 | 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, Surgeon in Chief, Chief of Orthopedic and Spine Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
| 2019 | Founder and Director of University Spine Center Zürich |
| Since July 2015 | Chief (Chefarzt) of Division of Spine Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
| 11/2014–06/2015 | Head (Teamleiter) of Spine Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
| 07/2014–11/2014 | Deputy Head of Spine Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
| 03/2014–06/2014 | Consultant, Spine and Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Switzerland |
| 09/2013–02/2014 | Consultant, Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland |
| 08/2012–08/2013 | Clinical Spine/Scoliosis fellow, Chief spine fellow, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA |
| 01/2012–08/2012 | Junior Consultant, Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
Continuing professional development
| 2021 | Interdisciplinary Specialty Title Spine Surgery (SIWF) |
| 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) |
| 07/2010 | „Management of Health Care Organizations“, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA |
| 07/2010 | „Epidemiology“, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA |
| 06/2010 | „Health reforms“, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
| 05/2010 | „Environmental health“, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
| 04/2010 | „Health politics“, University of Basel, Switzerland |
| 03/2010 | „Research on accidents and injuries“, University of Berne, Switzerland |
| 01/2010 | „Health promotion“, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
| 12/2009 | „Health data resources“, Neuchatel, Switzerland |
| 11/2009 | „Evidence in interventions of health“, University of Basel, Switzerland |
| 11/2009 | „Evidence based Public Health“, University of Berne, Switzerland |
| 10/2009 | „Best Practice in health promotion and prevention“, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
| 09/2009 | „Socio-cultural transformations and Public Health“, University of Berne, Switzerland |
| 09/2009 | „Processes and methods for research in Public Health“, University of Berne, Switzerland |
| 08/2009 | „Advanced methods in Biostatistics“, University of Berne, Switzerland |
| 08/2009 | „Biostatistics», University of Berne, Switzerland |
| 07/2009 | „From paper to computer records, ensuring data quality for analysis“, University of Berne, Switzerland |
| 06/2009 | „Communication in health“, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
| 06/2009 | „Descriptive and analytical methods and concepts in Epidemiology“, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
| 05/2009 | “Basic concepts in Epidemiology”, University of Bern, Switzerland |
Postgraduate
| 2012 | Swiss Board Certification Exams for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology (FMH 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) |
Member of the Board
Swiss Orthopaedics
Teaching posts
| Since 2023 | Founder of EndoSpine Academy |
| Since 2018 | Lecturer at ETH |
| Since 2017 | Chair of Orthopaedics, University of Zurich |
| Since 2017 | Founder and organisator of the international "Complex spine symposium" |
| Continuosly | Supervisor for master- and doctoral thesis of the Unviversity of Zürich |
| 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 |
| 2013 | Dedicated teaching in Spine Surgery to orthopedic residents, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA |
| 2009–2010 | Weekly teaching in orthopedic pathology to orthopedic mechanists, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland |
| 2004–2005 |
Fellowships
| 08/2012–08/2013 | Spine and Scoliosis Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, in aff. with Westchester Medical Center, New York, USA |
| 04/2012–05/2013 | Spinal tumors, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA |
| 01/2012–08/2012 | Spine Surgery, University Hospital Balgrist, Dept. Orthopedics, University of Zürich, Switzerland |
Grants
| 2020 | 610’000 Euro | Horizon 2020- Functionally Accurate RObotic Surgery: FAROS Fürnstahl, Farshad, Sutter (out of 3 Mio Euro with Leuven, Sorbonne Kings College London/UK and Spineguard) |
| 2018 | 1'000 000 CHF | HMZ Flagship 2018: surgeon enhancing technologies. SURGENT (M. Farshad). (HMZ is ETH, UZH and the four University Hospitals) Consortium of 8 research groups. |
| 2018 | 1’500 000 CHF | “KFSP Pain (A. Curt)”, Clinical research focus grant, University of Zürich (sub-applicant) |
| 2017 | 499’468 CHF | Interactions of supraspinal and spinal circuits during normal and impaired upper limb movements in humans, SNF 2017, Freund, Dietz, Farshad, Weiskopf, Eipert (Co-applicant) |
| 2015 | 2’200’000 CHF | HSM (II) Funding for ‘Patientensicherheit und Ergebnisqualität durch computergestützte, patientenspezifische 3D-Planung, Simulation und Durchführung von Operationen’ by Gerber C, Farshad M and Fürnstahl P |
| 2012 | 45’000 CHF | OREF (The Orthopedic Research & Education Foundation) Fellowship grant for Spine Surgery |
| 2012 | 35’000 CHF | ResOrtho-Grant for Clinical Fellowship at Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA |
| 2011 | 83’333 CHF | SNF-Grant ’Improved cruciate ligament reconstruction through enhanced graft incorporation at the bone-graft interface - An experimental study in rabbits’, by Meyer DC, Farshad M, Snedeker JG and Koch PP |
| 2009 | 62’000 CHF | Balgrist-Verein-Grant ’Do anabolic steroids prevent deterioration in retracting musculotendinous units?’ by Gerber C, Meyer DC and Farshad M |
| 2009 | 243'000 CHF | SNF-Grant ’Continuous musculotendinous traction plus pharmacological stimulation using anabolic steroids and IGF to reverse structural muscle changes induced by tendon tear’ by Gerber C, Meyer DC and Farshad M |
Memberships
Memberships and Professional Societies
- swiss orthopaedics: Board Member since 2018
- swiss orthopaedics, Spine Surgery Expert Group: Member
- swiss orthopaedics: Examiner for the specialist board examination
- swiss orthopaedics, Quality and Methodology Committee: President
- swiss orthopaedics, Maurice E. Müller Prize Jury: Past President and current Jury Member
- American College of Surgeons (ACS): Fellow (FACS) since 2020
- Scoliosis Research Society (SRS): Active Fellow Member
- EUROSPINE: Education Committee Member
- AO Spine, AO Foundation: Bronze Member
- Swiss Scoliosis Association (VSS): Advisory Board Member
- Lumbar Stenosis Outcome Study (LSOS): Steering Committee Member
Additional Boards and Academic Networks
- Foundation for the Advancement of Education in Medical Radiology (IDKD): Board of Trustees Member since 2022
- University Medicine Zurich (UMZH): Coordination Committee Member since 2018
- ETH Competence Center for Rehabilitation Engineering and Science (RESC): Member
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York: Alumni Network Member
- Alumni Balgrist: Founder
- Symposium Schweizer Spitzenmedizin: President
Previous Committee Roles
- Hochschulmedizin Zürich: Specialist Committee Member, 2019–2022
Medical Networks
- PRIMO MEDICO: Spine Surgery Specialist Profile in Zurich
- Swiss Medical Association (FMH): Member
Vested interests
Disclosures / potential conflicts of interests (Link UZH)
Compliance: No use of implants with any personal financial benefits. (as of May 2026)
Other declarations : Prof. Farshad has supported various innovations initiatives and therefore holds shares in startups of the Balgrist-Beteiligungs AG and, in part of University of Zurich Startups. The Balgrist University Hospital / OR-X cooperate with various industrial partners in surgical training and education.
Scientific projects
Prof. Farshad’s research advances spine surgery through biomechanics, new surgical techniques, endoscopic procedures, and digital technologies. Combining expertise in complex spine surgery with training in epidemiology and public health, Prof. Farshad connects experimental research with clinical studies to improve surgical precision, patient safety, and long-term outcomes.
Spine Biomechanics and Patient-Specific Surgical Planning
A major research focus is understanding how individual anatomy, spinal alignment, and surgical interventions influence the mechanical behaviour of the spine. Prof. Farshad and his collaborators investigate patient-specific spinal loading, implant–bone interactions, and the effects of spinal fusion on adjacent segments. This work supports surgical planning based on individual biomechanics alongside anatomical imaging, with the aim of improving implant selection, surgical strategies, and long-term treatment outcomes.
New Surgical Methods and Alternatives to Spinal Fusion
Prof. Farshad contributes to the development and scientific evaluation of new surgical methods, implants, and approaches to spinal reconstruction. Research includes dynamic stabilisation and alternatives to spinal fusion, supported by the SNSF-funded “Spinal Non-Fusion” project. These efforts aim to preserve spinal function while addressing instability and other complex spinal conditions. Patent applications relating to spinal implants, surgical planning, and instrument positioning reflect the translation of clinical questions into technical solutions.
Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Prof. Farshad combines extensive clinical work in endoscopic spine surgery with research into its techniques, applications, and outcomes. The focus is on refining surgical methods and evaluating how endoscopic approaches can deliver effective treatment while limiting tissue disruption. Through the EndoSpine Academy, founded by Prof. Farshad, this expertise also supports structured surgical education and the international exchange of knowledge.
Precision Surgery, Augmented Reality, and Robotics
As principal investigator of SURGENT, Prof. Farshad brought together eight research groups from the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, Balgrist University Hospital, and University Hospital Zurich to advance patient-specific planning and surgical navigation. The programme connects biomechanical modelling with technologies that help surgeons translate an individual surgical plan into the operating room.
On 1 December 2020, Prof. Farshad performed the first-in-human application of direct holographic navigation for pedicle screw placement in spine surgery. This work established an important clinical milestone in the development of augmented reality-assisted spine surgery. Participation in the European FAROS project further extends this research into functionally accurate robotic surgery.
Clinical Trials and Value-Based Healthcare
Prof. Farshad founded the Unit for Clinical and Applied Research (UCAR) at Balgrist in 2014 to strengthen the infrastructure for clinical studies. This work helped establish dedicated support for clinical trials, enabling surgical practice to be evaluated through rigorous research.
One example is a randomised clinical trial examining prolonged bed rest after repair of an incidental durotomy during spine surgery, challenging a longstanding treatment practice. Further research examines complications, treatment outcomes, and the cost-effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical care. Drawing on his Master of Public Health, Prof. Farshad integrates epidemiology, health economics, and value-based healthcare into the evaluation of treatment strategies.
OR-X: Translating Research into Surgical Practice
In 2023, Prof. Farshad founded OR-X, a centre for surgical research, technology development, and training. OR-X provides an environment in which clinicians, researchers, and engineers can develop and validate surgical methods and technologies before wider clinical implementation. It connects research in biomechanics, navigation, robotics, and surgical education with the practical demands of the operating room.
Experimental Foundations
Earlier SNSF-supported research investigated muscle and tendon retraction following rotator cuff tears. This experimental work contributed to understanding the mechanisms of chronic musculotendinous degeneration and was published in leading orthopaedic journals, including the American Journal of Sports Medicine, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, and the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. It established a foundation for Prof. Farshad’s continuing approach: identify an unresolved clinical problem, investigate its mechanisms, and develop better treatment options.
Reviewer and editorial board activities
- The Spine Journal
- Nature - Scientific Reports
- BMJ (British medical Journal)
- Lancet Oncology
- DFG - Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- IPCAI - best paper award
- JOR (Journal of Orthopaedic Research)
- Editorial Board (Ass.) European Spine Journal
- BMC Surgery
- PLOS One
- Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine
- European Radiology
- Scoliosis Journal
Journal of Health Economics
The go-to place for back problems
Spine surgery
The spine is a key component of the human body and spine surgery is correspondingly important at Balgrist University Hospital. The experienced surgical team led by Prof. Mazda Farshad specialise in the entire spectrum of treatment for diseases and injuries of the spinal column, providing patients with optimal support.