Early Life and Education
Gary K. Michelson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 14, 1949. He was raised by his mother and grandmother, whose struggles with syringomyelia sparked his interest in spinal ailments. He graduated from Central High School of Philadelphia in 1966 and later attended Temple University and Hahnemann Medical College of Drexel University. He completed his medical residency in orthopedic surgery at Hahnemann Medical Hospital in 1979 and a fellowship in spinal surgery at St. Luke's Medical Center.
Rise to Success
Michelson practiced as a spinal surgeon for over 25 years, becoming a world-renowned surgical innovator. Seeing the low success rates associated with spinal surgery, he developed new implants, instruments, and procedures. These technologies, often known as "Michelson Devices," assist in surgical procedures by reducing blood loss and incision size. He is the sole inventor on over 950 issued or pending patents related to spinal disorders.
In 2005, Michelson sold many of his spine-related patents to Medtronic for $1.35 billion, which placed him on the Forbes 400 list.
Key Business Strategies
Michelson's success stems from his dedication to innovation in medical technology. He focused on improving patient outcomes and streamlining spinal surgery, leading to his prolific patent portfolio. The sale of his patents to Medtronic demonstrated the value of his inventions and cemented his status as a self-made billionaire.
Philanthropy
Following his success in the medical field, Michelson has become a dedicated philanthropist. He founded the Michelson Medical Research Foundation in 2005 to promote medical and scientific innovation. He is also passionate about animal welfare and launched the Michelson Found Animals Foundation in 2005. He has also founded the Michelson 20MM Foundation, which focuses on improving educational access, efficacy, and equity.