Gary Michelson

Gary K. Michelson, an American orthopedic surgeon, medical inventor, and billionaire philanthropist, has had a remarkable career in both the medical and philanthropic fields. Born on January 14, 1949, in Philadelphia, Michelson was raised by his mother and grandmother. He graduated from the Central High School of Philadelphia in 1966 and went on to attend Temple University and Hahnemann Medical College of Drexel University. After completing his medical residency in orthopedic surgery at Hahnemann Medical Hospital in 1979, he pursued fellowship training in spinal surgery at St. Luke's Medical Center.

Throughout his career, Michelson developed various medical innovations, including new implants, instruments, and procedures for spinal surgery, which became known as "Michelson Devices." He holds over 950 issued or pending patents worldwide and sold many spine-related patents to Medtronic for a staggering $1.35 billion in 2005. However, the sale followed a legal battle with Medtronic over patent origins, which resulted in Michelson being awarded financial damages for both lawsuits and establishing a major legal precedent in 2004.

In 1995, Michelson founded the Gary Karlin Michelson, M.D. Charitable Foundation, Inc., which later became the Michelson Medical Research Foundation. A notable initiative of the foundation is the Michelson Prize and Grants in Reproductive Biology, a $75 million project aiming to develop a safe and effective single-dose, non-surgical spay/neuter method for cats and dogs. Additionally, Michelson is passionate about animal welfare and launched the Michelson Found Animals Foundation in 2005, which operates the Found Animals Registry for pet microchipping.

Not limited to the medical and animal welfare realms, Michelson has made several significant contributions to other fields. In 2016, he co-authored the free textbook "The Intangible Advantage," and the following year, he launched the Michelson Prize to support young scientists conducting medically relevant research. He also established the Michelson Neglected Disease Initiative, which supports the Sabin Vaccine Institute in providing affordable treatments for tropical diseases.

Michelson's philanthropy extends beyond the realm of medicine and science. In 2011, he created the Michelson 20MM Foundation to make college more affordable by underwriting a library of free online textbooks. The foundation has also focused on closing the digital divide through various initiatives, such as the Spark Grants platform and the California Digital Divide Challenge.

Michelson's accomplishments have not gone unnoticed, as he has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including inductions into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Inventors. He was recognized as one of "10 People with Big Ideas to Change the World" by Forbes magazine in 2015 and has received awards for his philanthropic efforts, such as the Visionary of the Year Award in Philanthropy from CSQ/C-Suite Quarterly Magazine in 2018.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Michelson leads a fulfilling personal life in Los Angeles with his wife, Alya, and their three children. His published works include academic books and selected articles covering topics such as medical revolution, free textbooks in higher education, and the importance of supporting the National Institutes of Health.

Overall, Gary K. Michelson's journey from being a skilled orthopedic surgeon to a renowned philanthropist showcases his dedication to improving the fields of medicine, animal welfare, education, and technology.