Adam Kanter, MD, MBA

Dr. Kanter is the Executive Medical Director of Hoag Hospital’s Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute in Newport Beach, California. He is further the Chief of Neurosurgery for the Hoag Specialty Clinic and holds the Ron & Sandi Simon Endowed Chair in Neuroscience leadership. He completed his executive MBA from the University of California in Los Angeles in June 2024 with honors. Dr. Kanter’s move to Southern California in July 2022 enlivened his desire to partake in transformational growth in a pioneering health system eager and capable of leading in best business and practice.

Dr. Kanter graduated with cum laude honors from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and then obtained a master’s degree from Boston University. He performed research for NASA studying human motor control in altered gravity environments before committing to medicine and obtaining his medical degree from the University of Vermont. He performed his residency at the University of Virginia under the mentorship of Dr. John Jane, Sr. including abroad training in Auckland, New Zealand. He obtained his fellowship in minimally invasive spine surgery at the University of California in San Francisco and then joined the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh medical center as director of the minimally invasive spine program.

Dr. Kanter launched and directed UPMC’s complex spine fellowship in 2012, was appointed chief of spine services in 2014, and performed more than 6,000 operations as he ascended the ranks to tenured Professor of neurological surgery. Dr. Kanter has authored more than 150 refereed journal publications, numerous books, chapters, and given more than 200 lectures across the globe. He is principal investigator in an array of studies focused on clinical outcomes appraising the utility of minimally invasive and lateral access surgical corridors. Dr. Kanter has been a key contributor in several neurosurgical societies, including Chair of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine & Peripheral Nerves in 2023 and President of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in 2022. He is currently a MAL on the Board of Directors for the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery. Dr. Kanter has received numerous accolades for his spine expertise including top doctor, most compassionate doctor, patient’s choice, and the Aces Award for exceptional service and care.

After 15 years in Pittsburgh, Dr. Kanter sought new adventures and leadership opportunity, relocating his family and practice to join Hoag in Newport Beach. The move has enabled him to enjoy a coastal lifestyle where he and his wife, Jodi, of 25 years live with the youngest of their five children: Jared, Kamryn, Jeremy, Aliyah & Kyli.