Title: Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Company: 1) Spine Center & Orthopaedics Atlanta; 2) Westside Cultural Arts Center
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
James L. Chappuis, MD, founder and chief executive officer at Spine Center & Orthopaedics Atlanta and Westside Cultural Arts Center, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Doctors for dedication, achievements, and leadership in health care and the arts.
Dr. Chappuis is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse career spanning several decades in health care and the arts. He has been the founder and chief executive officer of the Westside Cultural Arts Center since 2014 and Spine Center Atlanta since 1991.
Spine Center Atlanta, located in Buckhead, Atlanta, has eight satellite locations throughout Georgia, where Dr. Chappuis oversees a comprehensive surgery center specializing in physical therapy and magnetic resonance imaging. His responsibilities include supervising 150 employees, meeting with staff and managers, and providing patient care.
In 2010, Dr. Chappuis purchased a 40,000-square-foot building, which he transformed into the Westside Cultural Arts Center, an art and event venue. He is an amateur black-and-white photographer, and the center allows him to combine his passion for art with his professional endeavors. He is developing an art program aimed at bringing in artists who comment on contemporary issues through their work.
Dr. Chappuis’s career began in 1982 as an emergency room physician at Methodist Hospital in Memphis. He then worked with Memphis Orthopedic Group in 1986, served at the Naval Hospital – NAS Millington from 1986 to 1987, and was part of North Cobb Orthopedics from 1987 to 1991 before founding Spine Center Atlanta.
Before embarking on his professional path, Dr. Chappuis laid a solid educational foundation. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology, graduating summa cum laude from The University of Toledo in 1977. He then obtained a Doctor of Medicine from the Medical College of Ohio in 1980. Following this, he completed an internship at Mercy Hospital from 1980 to 1981, a residency in general surgery at Methodist Hospital from 1981 to 1982, and a residency in orthopedic surgery at Campbell Clinic, University of Tennessee, from 1983 to 1986. In 1998, he completed an AO Spine Fellowship at Klinikum Karlsbad – Langensteinbach in Karlsbad, Germany.
Dr. Chappuis also holds several certifications, including board certification in orthopedic surgery from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He also holds medical licenses from the Tennessee Board of Medicine, the Georgia Composite Medical Board, and the Florida Board of Medicine. Additionally, he has been a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons since 1991.
In addition to his primary vocation, Dr. Chappuis is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the North American Spine Society. He is also involved with the Georgia Orthopedic Society, the Atlanta Orthopedic Society, the Medical Association of Georgia, the Medical Association of Atlanta, the Willis C. Campbell Club, the AO Alumni Association, and the AANSCNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves. He has also demonstrated a commitment to civic engagement, having volunteered with the Atlanta Union Mission from 1998 to 2001.
In light of his impressive undertakings, Dr. Chappuis has accrued several accolades throughout his career. He holds 30 U.S. patents, showcasing his innovation and contributions to the field. He was recognized with the Best Poster Award at Orthopedic in 2017 and received the Best Spine Poster Award from the Orthopedic Research Society in 2016. Additionally, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners proclaimed “Dr. James Chappuis Day” in 2016, and the Atlanta City Council declared “Westside Cultural Arts Day” in 2015 in his honor. He was also a finalist for the White Cloud Award for Best Basic Science Paper at the International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques in 2008.
A highlight of Dr. Chappuis’ career is the patent and development of a spinal screw, the fenestrated screw, which Medtronic purchased and is now used in 92 countries worldwide. This device, designed for patients with osteoporotic spines, bones, and tumors, has helped thousands of patients. He is also proud of establishing a comprehensive spine care program that includes a minimally invasive surgery center and a physical therapy clinic.
Looking ahead, Dr. Chappuis aims to expand his art program to bring more controversial art and artists to Atlanta, enhancing the city’s cultural landscape. He is also committed to increasing support for patients with adult spinal disorders. He has launched an aesthetic medical spa, Rejuvenate Restore Med Spa Atlanta, featuring anti-aging and regenerative medicine. His advice for aspiring professionals is to focus on excellence in their chosen specialty or profession rather than chasing monetary rewards.
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