Inside the Trinity Health Spine Program
Back or neck pain often leads to a long and frustrating journey. Even after multiple appointments and treatments, people still may not have clear answers or know what to do next. The Trinity Health Spine Program was created to change that. It’s here, where patients are guided by a team that stays connected, from the first appointment to the last.
A Team Approach to Care
The Trinity Health Spine Program is based on a simple idea: spine care works best when it's coordinated. Since launching five years ago, the program has helped more than 3,000 patients connect with care, with most improving through non-surgical treatments.
Instead of giving patients a one-size fits all treatment, the team begins by listening. Many patients first meet with a physiatrist, a physician who specializes in nonsurgical care, to review their symptoms, goals, and what they have already tried. From there, the care plan may include:
- Physical therapy
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Pain medicine, including injections
Spine Surgery
“The goal is to get people better in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of procedures,” says Jason Brodkey, M.D., a neurosurgeon with the Spine Program.
Michelle Davenport, RN, BSN, ONC, serves as the program's Spine Nurse Navigator, connecting every step of a patient's journey. She answers questions, arranges referrals, follows up after appointments, and makes sure no one gets lost or becomes overwhelmed along the way. “When patients or providers are not sure where to start, they come to me to ensure care is coordinated and streamlined,” she says.
The clinical team stays just as connected. “If I'm seeing a patient who's been working with one of our physiatrists, I can reach out directly and ask what they're thinking,” says Dr. Brodkey. “Should we try another injection? Is it time to talk about surgery? We're always communicating.”
That communication matters, because timing can make a real difference in spine care. Dr. Brodkey notes that many patients appropriately start with primary care. When symptoms persist or grow more complex, a coordinated path to specialty care can help clarify next steps.
“Access to the right level of care at the right time matters,” he says. The Spine Program is designed to support that transition, helping patients move forward when additional evaluation is needed.
Jason Brodkey, MD
Jason Brodkey, MD, FACS, FIPP, is board-certified in neurological surgery and pain medicine. He is fellowship-trained in spine surgery and functional neurosurgery. Dr. Brodkey has clinical interests in minimally invasive and robotic spine surgery, complex spinal reconstruction, cervical spine surgery, spinal cord and vagal nerve stimulation, spinal infusion pump implantation, surgery for brain tumors, neurotrauma and general neurosurgery.
Learn more about Dr. BrodkeyAdvanced Options Close to Home
When surgery is needed, Trinity Health’s spine surgeons use the latest techniques to help patients recover more quickly. Minimally-invasive surgeries and Robotic-assisted surgery offer greater precision, smaller incisions, and less tissue damage. Many patients are up and walking the same day or the day after their procedure. This advanced care is available close to home, in the communities where patients live and work, not just at large academic medical centers.
The Spine Program also participates in the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC), a statewide initiative that helps spine programs measure results and improve over time. At Trinity Health Michigan, the team tracks outcomes such as readmissions and complications, using that information to improve care. For example, after adding virtual class options, education participation rose from 27% to 89.5%, well above MSSIC's 80% goal.
What truly sets the Spine Program apart, however, are the relationships formed between the patient and their care team. Dr. Brodkey explains, “Every single person I see and treat, I take their health and wellbeing personally. We’re on a journey together, and they have my full support. This is not just a ‘fix it and move on’. I am invested.”
While the Spine Program at Trinity Health Ann Arbor is a main access point in southeast Michigan, Trinity Health Michigan’s spine specialists work throughout the state, so care is always close by.
Ready to Learn More?
If you have been experiencing back or neck pain, you don’t have to manage it alone. Take our free spine health assessment, download a guide, or request an appointment.
Learn More About Our Spine Program