Edward Hur, MD
Dr. Edward Hur is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in the treatment of conditions related to the foot and ankle. He utilizes a patient-centered approach to provide comprehensive orthopedic foot and ankle care using both nonsurgical and surgical treatments. He has a particular interest in minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery, total ankle arthroplasty, deformity correction, sports-related injuries, and fracture care. Dr. Hur is originally from Michigan and attended the University of Michigan where he participated in the long jump for the varsity track and field team and gained honors including Academic All-Big Ten Honors and Big-Ten Distinguished Scholar. He continued his education in Ann Arbor, MI where he attended the University of Michigan Medical School. He then completed his orthopedic surgery residency training at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. He further specialized his training and completed an orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery fellowship at the Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center where he learned from leaders in the field and gained extensive experience in the treatment of foot and ankle conditions. Dr. Hur is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. He is committed to contributing to the field through conducting research and training future orthopedic surgeons as part of the Rush University orthopedic residency and fellowship programs.
Alan T. Blank, MD, MS
Dr. Blank specializes in malignant and benign musculoskeletal growths and performs limb-salvage surgery in adults as well as children. He also treats several general orthopedic conditions and performs joint replacement surgery. Dr. Blank is originally from Connecticut and attended the University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate degree, earning a BA in English Literature. While there, he was a member of the Division I men's crew team. He then attended the Chicago Medical School, serving as class president, and earned both his MD and a Masters in biomedical sciences and research. After medical school, Dr. Blank completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency in New York City at the prestigious NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases. He received the Resident Research Award while there for his work on prophylactic surgical treatment for metastatic bone disease. Dr. Blank then went on to complete a year of training in adult and pediatric musculoskeletal oncology and sarcoma surgery at the renowned Huntsman Cancer Institute and Hospital in Salt Lake City. Dr. Blank has an interest in treating benign and malignant primary growths of the musculoskeletal system, as well as metastatic bone disease. He has published many peer-reviewed scientific articles in the field of orthopedic oncology, co-authored many textbook chapters, and presented at numerous internationally attended academic conferences. He is a research and clinical leader in many cutting-edge procedures in the field of musculoskeletal oncology. He is a member of and a leader in numerous societies, including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), the Connective Tissue Oncologic Tumor Society (CTOS), the International Society of Limb Salvage(ISOLS), the American Orthopedic Association(AOA), and the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS). Dr. Blank currently lives in the Chicagoland area with his wife, who is a pediatrician, their two daughters, two sons, and two dogs.
Ameen Barghi, MD, MPP
Dr. Ameen Barghi is a Harvard-educated orthopaedic spine surgeon who treats the full range of neck and back conditions, from a single herniated disc to complex cases where a prior surgery has failed. He cares for patients with sciatica, lower back pain, neck pain, pinched nerves, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and adult scoliosis. Dr. Barghi often offers second opinions for patients who have been told they need a fusion. He completed his fellowship at the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, ranked the number one spine surgery fellowship in the country, where he performed more than 500 spine surgeries in a single year before joining Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. Dr. Barghi's interest in nerve pain started early. Growing up in Alabama, he joined a neuroscience laboratory studying how the nervous system recovers after injury and why some patients stay in pain while others get better. He has been asking the same question ever since: what actually gets people out of pain and back to the activities they love? His philosophy is simple: treat the patient, not the X-rays or MRI. Every treatment plan is built around the individual patient, matched to their symptoms, lifestyle and goals. Most back and neck pain improves without surgery, and Dr. Barghi makes sure patients understand what is driving their symptoms and helps patients navigate every option available before surgery is on the table. When surgery is the right answer, he avoids spinal fusion whenever possible in favor of minimally invasive and motion-preserving alternatives, including cervical and lumbar artificial disc replacement and minimally invasive tubular decompression (microdiscectomy). When appropriate, he uses computer navigation and robotic-assisted techniques that make surgery less invasive, speed up recovery, and improve safety, so patients get home sooner and back to work, sports and an active life faster. His cutting-edge techniques are paired with a narcotic-sparing pain plan, so that narcotics are kept to a minimum or never used at all. Dr. Barghi is trained for the hardest cases: failed back and neck surgery, spinal deformity, trauma and tumors. A Rhodes Scholar, Dr. Barghi earned his medical degree at Harvard Medical School and a master's degree in Public Policy at the University of Oxford, where he focused on health economics and how health systems deliver better care at lower cost. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Wake Forest University, where he served as administrative chief resident and received the Clinical Research Resident Award and the Resident Teaching Award. An award-winning researcher, Dr. Barghi published his first scientific paper while still in high school and has since produced more than 135 publications, book chapters, and scientific presentations. His research focuses on motion-preserving surgery, patient-reported outcomes, and machine learning to predict who will do well after spine surgery. With Dr. Barghi's team behind you, the pledge is simple: honest answers, no rushed decisions, and never an operation he would not choose for his own family. Whether it is your first flare of back pain, an injury at work, or a surgery that did not deliver the relief you were promised, the goal is the same: get you out of pain and back to doing what you love most.
Xavier Simcock, MD
Dr. Xavier Simcock specializes in surgery of the hand, wrist, and elbow. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, and raised in Denver, Colorado, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Washington University in St. Louis, where he received Sigma Xi research honors in biology. He then attended Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating AOA and earning the New York Orthopedic Hospital Award. His early research in orthopedics was supported by NIH and Arthritis Foundation grants. Dr. Simcock completed the renowned Harvard Combined Orthopedic Residency Program, where he was honored with the Resident Excellence Award for Teaching and Mentorship and the William H. Thomas Award for excellence in orthopedics. He was also selected by the AOA as an Emerging Leader. His advanced training includes completing two specialty fellowships sponsored by the ASSH: one in hand and microsurgery, and another in shoulder surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. His contributions to the field include authoring book chapters on upper extremity fracture fixation and reconstruction, and publishing numerous scientific articles on upper extremity conditions affecting both adults and adolescents. Dr. Simcock has been featured in clinical teaching videos for the New England Journal of Medicine and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, further highlighting his commitment to education and innovation in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Simcock joined Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush after a successful period in private practice in Boston. He is board certified in orthopedic surgery and continues to be a leading expert in his field, dedicated to advancing orthopedic care and improving patient outcomes.
Abigail Misenheimer, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC
Abbey Misenheimer is the Physical Therapy Residency Director at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and leads the Special Interest Program for in-house continuing education. A North Carolina native, Abbey earned her undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sports Science with a concentration in Athletic Training from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She earned a postgraduate degree to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Emory University, with advanced training in Pilates, Dry Needling (Level I), Strength and Conditioning, and Manual Therapy. Abbey's experience includes an internship at the Atlanta Ballet and a Sports Physical Therapy Residency at the University of Miami (FL), where she worked with the Miami Hurricanes Football team and in the Lennar Foundation Medical Center PT department. Abbey is always excited to share her passion for evidence-based practice with residents and patients. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new restaurants, running by the water, and attending White Sox games.
Albin Mutholam, PT, DPT, OCS
Albin is a physical therapist at the MOR Chicago Clinic, where he coordinates the Sports and Orthopedic PT residency programs, directs the Complex Knee Special Interest Program, and collaborates with Dr. Yanke and Dr. Chahla as a clinical researcher. He also serves as a clinical instructor and advanced mentor at MOR. A Chicagoland native, Albin earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Saint Louis University. He furthered his education with an orthopedic residency at Memorial Hermann | Rockets Sports Medicine in Houston, TX. Albin’s treatment philosophy emphasizes a holistic approach, aiming to help patients exceed their initial goals and maintain an active lifestyle. He has a special interest in strength and conditioning, sports performance, and lower extremity rehabilitation for athletes. In his free time, Albin enjoys exploring Chicago's food scene, discovering new music, and reading novels.
Lindsey Morgan, PT, DPT, OCS
Lindsey is a Physical Therapist and the Clinic Manager at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush in Aurora. She is dedicated to providing high-quality, individualized treatment programs with a focus on manual therapy to help patients efficiently achieve their goals. With a special interest in performing arts medicine, Lindsey draws on her experience as a competitive dancer to treat performers of all skill levels, from novice to professional. She resides in Naperville with her husband, Brian, who is also a physical therapist at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush in Joliet. Outside of work, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog, and cheering on her favorite Chicago sports teams.
Lauren Gornick, PT, DPT
Lauren has been a Physical Therapist at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush, specializing in the Out-Patient in the Home (OPITH) program, since 2023. She began her therapy career as an outpatient physical therapist, focusing on dance, running, and weight lifting. At Midwest Orthopedics, Lauren’s primary focus is post-op total joint replacements of the lower extremity. She brings outpatient therapy services directly to patients' homes following total hip or knee replacement surgeries. Lauren is passionate about education and empowering her patients to take charge of their rehabilitation and return to their desired activities. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and hiking.
Nina Hendler, PT, DPT
Nina is a physical therapist currently participating in the MOR Sports Physical Therapy Residency program. Originally from Michigan, she earned her bachelor's degree in Movement Science from the University of Michigan, where she was actively involved in sports, first as member of the women’s rowing team and later as a team manager for women’s gymnastics. Her athletic background, firsthand experience with physical therapy, and an interest in anatomy and physiology all inspired her career path. She completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Northwestern University in Chicago, where she assisted with ACL research and worked with student-athletes. This experience highlighted the importance of mentorship and education in providing specialized care, leading her to pursue sports residency training. Nina is dedicated to helping athletes return to their sports using a holistic approach within a collaborative healthcare team. In her free time, she enjoys running along the lakefront, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family.