[Passion to Purpose] Dr. Stefano Michael Sinicropi, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Name: Stefano Michael Sinicropi

Profession: Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and President/CEO of the Midwest Spine and Brain Institute

Age: 41

I have changed and contributed to my industry by:  treating challenging operative patients such as those morbidly obese patients that otherwise would receive no treatment and developing efficient surgical techniques that significantly reduce anesthesia time. Also, I feel that I have contributed to my industry by helping to develop and build one of the largest combined orthopedic and neurosurgical spine practices in the state of Minnesota.

At some point 80 percent of Americas experience low back pain during their lifetime. Men and women are equally affected by low back pain which is the leading contributor to missed work and the most common cause of job-related disability. Dr. Stefano Michael Sinicropi believes that it is important to practice preventative measures in our day-to-day to avoid back issues before they arise. An attendee of the prestigious Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons Medical School, Dr. Sinicropi completed a combined Research and Clinical Residency at Columbia University’s Presbyterian Hospital. Following residency he sub-specialized in Spinal Surgery through successful completion of the Kenton D. Leatherman Spinal Fellowship at the University of Louisville, where he trained with some of the most well respected Neurosurgeons and Orthopedic spinal surgeons in the United States. He has been practicing since 2006 and performed over 4,000 spinal surgeries.

The idea and ultimate realization that he could make a better life for those suffering with afflictions of the spine provided the inspiration needed for Dr. Sinicropi to pursue a career in medicine. “There is no greater career satisfaction than hearing stories about patients or having a patient tell you that their lives have been restored because of a surgery that was performed,” Sinicropi tells BE Modern Man. “I feel as though so many young people would want to embark on a career in medicine or surgery if they were really able to see the difference they can make in another human being’s life.”

At a very early age Dr. Sinicropi experienced the impact that people can have on each others lives. Born in the Bronx, New York, he was adopted as an infant by a first generation Italian couple that was unable to have children of their own. “From very early in my recollections, I remember how clear it was that I was different from all of those around me in the working class Italian neighborhood,” says Dr. Sinicropi. “My first language was Italian and the only parents I knew were white, but the world saw me as black and I learned very early on what it felt to be black growing up in the 1970’s.” This unique upbringing built character, strength, resiliency and more importantly a inner drive to make a difference. Now blessed with being able to develop one of the largest spinal surgery practices in the Midwest, Dr. Sinicropi is currently performing over 700 spinal surgeries a year. “I dedicate myself to helping patients with injuries and diseases of the spine to get their lives back,” Dr. Sinicropi tells BE Modern Man

Recognized as an expert in his field, Dr. Sinicropi believes that in order to be an effective leader it is not enough to just be given titles and feel that this is enough to effect change. “The two most important qualities to being a great leader that can break through the static and make an impact, is having unshakable integrity and being committed to true excellence,” says Dr. Sinicropi. “If you are a man of your word, others will trust you to do what you say you are going to do. If you show real commitment to excellence and achieve tangible results to back this up then others will follow which will truly allow you to make an impact among your peers.”

Specifically in the fields of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgical spine black and brown men and women are quite underrepresented. “It is very important that as successful physicians we provide mentorship and be role models to those who are considering a similar career path,” Dr. Sinicropi tells BE Modern Man. “I have never looked back and am proud to be a successful Black surgeon in our community, serving as a role model to other up and coming young men.”

Black men especially should be aware that successful black males are not simply outliers. We have diverse backgrounds, upbringings, and stories and our paths will not all end in ways enumerated in the mainstream. “By changing the narrative, we bring awareness to the fact that our paths are diverse. We just need to choose a path towards success, and there are many.”

The BlackEnterprise.com team congratulates Dr. Stefano Michael Sinicropi for his commitment to helping others by developing and building one of the largest combined orthopedic and neurosurgical spine practices in the state of Minnesota.  We are honored to call Dr. Sinicropi a BE Modern Man as he works to protect the future of medicine and patients’ medical care by sharing his knowledge and insight within the community.

It’s our normal to be extraordinary. Follow @blackenterprise and join the BE Modern Man conversation using #BEModernMan.