Our Surgeons and Staff

Theodore J. Choma, M.D.

After obtaining bachelor’s degrees in biology and mechanical engineering, and a master’s degree in theoretical mechanics, Dr. Choma worked as a design analyst in the FDA Orthopedics group. After obtaining his medical degree in 1992 from Eastern Virginia Medical School, he performed his internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. His postgraduate training was interrupted for two years while he served as Brigade Flight Surgeon for the 1st Armored Division in Germany. He returned to Walter Reed and completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery in 2000. He completed a spine surgery fellowship at the Twin Cities Spine Center in 2001.

He became Chief of the Spine Surgery Service at Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Augusta, Ga., in 2001 and was named Assistant Professor of Surgery for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in 2002. He became the Orthopaedic Residency Director at Eisenhower AMC in 2003. He also held privileges as a military staff member at the Medical College of Georgia.

In 2006 he has left active military service and joined the faculty at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Director of the Missouri Spine Center.

He has published articles on the medical effects of surgical lasers and on the biomechanics of spinal implants. His current research interests include the biomechanics of spinal fixation and the patient based clinical outcomes of spinal fusions, as well as the physiology of the aging spine.

Dr. Choma's full biography can be found here.

Joel T. Jeffries, M.D.

Dr. Jeffries earned his medical degree from the Texas A&M College of Medicine in College Station, Texas. He completed his residency at the University of Missouri-Columbia and a spine fellowship at the Texas Back Institute in Plano, Texas.

As a longtime Columbia-area physician, Dr. Jeffries is active in numerous professional and community organizations. He was president of the University of Missouri Orthopaedic Association from 2000 to 2003. He has served as president of the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association and was its legislative liaison in 2001-2002.He also serves on the boards of Columbia Northwest Rotary, the Family Health Center, and the Olivet Christian Church.

Dr. Jeffries' full biography can be found here.

Craig A. Kuhns, M.D.

Dr. Kuhns earned his medical degree from the University of California-Los Angeles, where he also completed his residency training. He completed his spine fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. He served as a clinical instructor at Washington University before joining the Missouri Spine Center.

His clinical and research interests include cervical disorders, minimally invasive spine surgery, and complex spinal deformity reconstruction.

Dr. Kuhn's full biography can be found here.

Diane Mueller, N.D., R.N., C-F.N.P.

Diane Mueller earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from St. Louis University and her master's degree from California State University, Sacramento. She completed her doctorate in nursing at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an adjunct faculty member with the MU Sinclair School of Nursing.

Dr. Mueller has extensive clinical experience in neurology and neurosurgery practices and has served as the principal investigator in numerous studies.

Dr. Mueller's full biography can be found here.