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LESS Society Fellowship in Interventional Spine Surgery
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Fellowship Directors
Dr. Kingsley R. Chin
MD, MBA
Harvard Trained - Othopedic Spine Surgeon
Dr. Erik C. Spayde
MD
Harvard Trained - Othopedic Spine Surgeon
Dr. Josue Gabriel
MD
U. Penn. Med School
About the LESS Society
The LESS Society, founded in 2008, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the global movement of LESS Exposure Spine Surgery (LESS). Built on the core TIER philosophy — Technology, Investments, Education, and Research — the Society empowers physicians and innovators to reshape the future of spine surgery.
With members across the world, the Society champions the transition beyond traditional Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) to LESS Exposure Spine Surgery (LESS) — a paradigm focused on precision, preservation, and purpose.
Program Overview
The LESS Society Fellowship in Interventional Spine Surgery is a rigorous, structured, and standardized educational pathway designed to train and certify experienced physicians in the LESS Exposure philosophy.
This fellowship represents the next evolution in spine surgery, combining innovation with patient-centered care guided by the REP principles:
Restore Function
Early Intervention
Preserve Anatomy
Under the directorship of globally recognized leaders in LESS Exposure Spine Surgery, the fellowship blends advanced education, hands-on clinical experience, research collaboration, and mentorship to prepare physicians to lead in the outpatient spine surgery era.
Duration
A minimum of three years of structured education, clinical training, and proctoring under the guidance of the Fellowship Directors.
Eligibility
Completion of an accredited residency program in the United States
A minimum of five years in active clinical practice
Strong commitment to the principles of LESS Exposure Spine Surgery and the REP philosophy
Fellowship structure
Fellows will engage in:
Comprehensive training and proctoring in LESS Exposure technologies and techniques
Direct mentorship in outpatient interventional spine surgery
Participation in clinical innovation and research initiatives aligned with the TIER philosophy
Active involvement in the LESS Society global network of physicians and innovators
Publication of scholarly work on LESS technologies and outcomes
Requirements
To successfully complete the fellowship, participants must:
Demonstrate full competency in LESS Exposure Spine Surgery principles and applications
Publish at least one manuscript related to LESS technologies under faculty supervision
Actively contribute to Society-led educational and research programs throughout the fellowship
Compensation
This is an unpaid fellowship, designed to foster professional excellence, leadership, and scholarly contribution to the field of LESS Exposure Spine Surgery
Certification
Graduates who fulfill all academic, clinical, and research requirements will receive an official Certificate of Completion presented at the annual LESS Society Meeting, recognizing them as certified Fellows of the LESS Society in Interventional Spine Surgery.
Empowering physicians to lead the evolution from MISS to LESS — advancing Technology, Investments, Education, and Research through the REP principles to transform global spine care.
Enrolled fellows are not required to use only LESS Technologies on all their surgeries during the fellowship period or after.
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