Meet The Team

Dr. Kevin Rutz is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon who sub-specializes in spinal surgery. When he came into practice in 2003, his goal was to become a Physician who was completely specialized in spinal surgery only. By 2005, he no longer performed general orthopedic surgery; meaning that he no longer performed hip, knee, shoulder, hand or foot surgery. His practice is completely dedicated to the operative and nonoperative treatment of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. By performing a large volume of spinal procedures, he has the benefit of experience and this experience has helped him avoid complications. He can easily determine who surgical intervention will help and who it will not.

In his practice, he commonly performs lumbar microdiscectomies, lumbar fusions, and cervical fusions. Also, for the past 7 years, he has taken a special interest in cervical disc arthroplasties (cervical disc replacements). He has performed over 1,000 of these disc replacement procedures.

Like many surgeons, he tries to select the most effective and least invasive treatment possible, without increasing risk. When his team sees a new patient in the office, their number one goal is to diagnose the problem that they have and lay forth a treatment plan. The treatment might be as simple as medication or an order for physical therapy. Other times, a patient will present with a problem that his team knows will not resolve without surgical intervention. The goal is to explain these options to the patient, so they can make an educated decision about their treatment plan. If his team feels long-term, non-operative pain management and long-term narcotic medications are the best treatment option, there are other specialties that are more appropriate for those patients.

Many years ago, we realized that it was taking too long for our patients to get into the office to be seen. As Dr. Rutz is in surgery 3 to 4 days a week, Loren Vandergriff, ANP, opened additional clinic visits, so that patients could be seen more quickly. She has extensive training in evaluation of problems with the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. She is fully capable of evaluating a spine problem, reading x-rays, MRI’s, and CT Scans of the spine, and initiating appropriate treatment. All patients and imaging seen by Loren, are later reviewed and discussed with Dr. Rutz, as is the treatment plan.

These patients, who have been involved in motor vehicle accidents or other personal injury accidents, are regularly seen by Dr. Rutz and Loren.

Dr. Rutz treats worker’s comp patients on a weekly basis.

Dr. Michael Chabot earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Michigan State University. He attended Medical School at Michigan State Osteopathic School of Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan and earned his Doctorate of Medicine in 1987.

Dr. Chabot served his Internship and Residency with the Detroit Osteopathic Hospital Corporation and completed the program in 1993. Dr. Chabot was named Intern of the Year 1987-1988. After graduation, Dr. Chabot completed his Fellowship in Spine Surgery at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan.

He is Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and specializes in the operative and non-operative treatment of neck and back conditions to include degenerative, congenital, trauma, and tumor related afflictions of the spine.

Dr. Chabot is on staff at St. Luke’s Des Peres Hospital and St. Louis Spine and Orthopedic Surgery Center in Town and Country, Missouri.

Dr. Chabot has also authored publications, gives presentations and participates in training in the latest techniques and treatments involving the spine.

American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, St. Louis Orthopedic Society, Missouri State Orthopaedic Association, and The St. Louis Spine Society. Dr. Chabot also serves as a Resident Trainer for the Des Peres Hospital Department of Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program.

Kyle Conrod was born and raised in Waterloo, Illinois.  He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from McKendree College in 2005.  Following graduation, Mr. Conrod was employed at Belleville Memorial Hospital and Monroe Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine as a Certified Athletic Trainer.  He was also an Off Site Clinical Instructor teaching third and fourth year athletic training students at McKendree University.

Mr. Conrod received a Masters of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies in December 2011 from Saint Louis University.  He joined Orthopedic Specialists in 2012.  He works with Dr. Kevin Rutz and specializes in operative and non-operative treatment of spine related conditions.  Mr. Conrod is Board Certified as a Physician Assistant by the National Commission and Certification of Physician Assistants.  He is licensed in Missouri.

Mr. Conrod is on staff at St. Luke’s Des Peres Hospital and St. Louis Spine and Orthopedic Surgery Center in Town and Country, Missouri.

Loren Vandergriff was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri. She obtained her Degree in Nursing from the University of Alaska in 2002. Following graduation, she was employed by Saint Louis Spine and Orthopedic Surgery Center as a registered nurse.

Ms. Vandergriff received her Master’s of Science in Nursing from Maryville University in 2013. She joined Orthopedic Specialists in January of 2014. Ms. Vandergriff works with Dr. Kevin Rutz and specializes in operative and non-operative treatment of spine related conditions. Ms. Vandergriff is Certified as a Nurse Practitioner by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Loren Vandergriff is on staff at St. Luke’s Des Peres Hospital and St. Louis Spine and Orthopedic Surgery Center in Town and Country, Missouri.

Professional Affiliations include: American Association of Nurse Practitioners.