Nicholas Ahn, M.D.

Biography

Nicholas Ahn, M.D., is a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Department of Neurological Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He specializes in spine surgery and has a particular interest in spinal infections, spine tumors, and spinal cord injuries.

Dr. Ahn earned his medical degree at Harvard Medical School. He completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and received advanced training through a spine surgery fellowship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, he joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2026. Before joining UT Southwestern, Dr. Ahn served as the K. Armand Fischer Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Louisville, where he was also Director of the Orthopedic Spine Surgery Service.

At UT Southwestern, Dr. Ahn serves as the Director of Clinical Research; he is also Chief of Spine Surgery at Parkland Memorial Hospital.

He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Orthopaedic Association, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the North American Spine Society. He is an active leader in the Academic Orthopaedic Consortium, where he has served as both Chair and Vice Chair of the Advisory Council. Dr. Ahn also provides expert consultation to several national organizations, including the Ohio Employee Health Partnership, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Dr. Ahn has published more than 130 peer-reviewed papers and contributed to several major texts, including Spinal Deformities: The Comprehensive Text, and The Adult Spine: Principles and Practice. He serves on the editorial board of multiple journals, including World Journal of Orthopaedics, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Spine, and The Spine Journal.

Personal Note

Dr. Ahn qualified for the Boston Marathon 10 times and is a former competitive tennis player. When he’s not at work, he still enjoys running and playing tennis, as well as hiking, traveling, and helping his children with their music and athletic activities.