Becker’s Healthcare Podcast James Mooney, a complex and minimally invasive spine surgeon with VCU Health
Dec 6, 2025
James Mooney, a complex and minimally invasive spine surgeon at VCU Health, dives into the future of spine surgery. He discusses how AI is transforming clinical decision-making and enhancing patient-specific technologies. Mooney emphasizes the shift from volume-based care to value-based models, exploring the growth of minimally invasive techniques and 3D-printed implants. He also highlights the challenges of integrating these advancements within healthcare systems, predicting a convergence of AI and engineering to reshape spine care.
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Training Path To VCU Faculty
- James Mooney trained in neurosurgery at the University of Alabama and did a complex spine fellowship in Pittsburgh.
- He is a new faculty member building the spine program at VCU in Richmond, Virginia.
AI Will Standardize Spine Decision-Making
- AI will standardize and personalize spine surgery planning, patient selection, and intraoperative execution.
- Monitoring and safety oversight for these algorithms is essential as they enter clinical decision-making.
Move Incentives Toward Patient Outcomes
- Shift incentives from RVUs to patient-centered outcomes to ensure the right surgeries are done.
- Use registries and health system analytics to determine which patients benefit and reward surgeons for outcomes.