![](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/oembed_thumbnails/vBPKfBlfq48HhTmS3WkBCapqYYRPUkgbanNyv6gOfJc.jpg?itok=5blf94gm)
Dr. Gary K. Michelson is the founder and co-chair of Michelson Philanthropies, which includes the Michelson Medical Research Foundation. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Spinal Surgeon and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Disappointed with the low success rates and unreliability of spinal surgical procedures at that time, he spent the next two decades developing new implants, surgical procedures, and the instruments required to carry out those procedures. These breakthroughs made spinal surgery less invasive and far more effective. He is one of the most prolific inventors in medicine and the sole named inventor of more than 950 patents throughout the world. Dr. Michelson and his wife Alya are members of the Giving Pledge. They are devoted full time to philanthropic efforts through their foundations, including the Michelson 20 Million Minds Foundation, Michelson Found Animals Foundation, and the Michelson Center for Public Policy. Among other honors, he is a recipient of the Albert B. Sabin Humanitarian Award for innovations that enabled millions to live healthier, more productive lives.