Gary Michelson

Early Life and Education

Gary K. Michelson was born in Philadelphia on January 14, 1949. He was raised by his mother and grandmother. His grandmother's struggle with syringomyelia sparked his interest in spinal ailments. He graduated from Central High School of Philadelphia in 1966 and went on to attend Temple University and Hahnemann Medical College, completing his medical residency in orthopedic surgery at Hahnemann Medical Hospital in 1979. He furthered his training with a fellowship in spinal surgery.

Rise to Success

Michelson became a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon and the most prolific inventor in medical history. He developed new implants, instruments, and procedures for spinal surgery, known as "Michelson Devices". He holds over 950 patents worldwide related to the treatment of spinal disorders. A pivotal moment in his career was the 2005 sale of his spine-related patents to Medtronic for $1.35 billion, which propelled him onto the Forbes 400 list.

Philanthropy

Since 2005, Michelson has dedicated himself to philanthropy through Michelson Philanthropies. The foundations focus on medical research, education, and animal welfare. He has signed the Giving Pledge and is involved in various initiatives, including the USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience and the California Institute for Immunology & Immunotherapy at UCLA.