Physician Spotlight: Get to Know Your Spinal Surgeon Dr. Kurd

Dr. Mark Kurd is a spine surgeon and specializes in minimally invasive spinal procedures of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Learn more about his life outside the office.

I was born and raised in New Hampshire where winter sports are a way of life. My parents first put me on skis when I was two years old at McIntyre Ski Area (only 180 feet of vertical so it’s more of a hill than a mountain) in Manchester, NH. Although I don’t recall my first days on skis, according to my parents I loved it and from then on was always asking to go skiing. At five years old, they registered me for the ski team at Gunstock Mountain where I first experienced ski racing. I continued to race through my senior year in High School. In addition to being fun, the race program taught me the discipline needed to master the technical skills required to race at the highest levels of competition.

Although my racing career is over, skiing continues to be a major part of my life. I am married with four children and we all ski! All four kids are in the Blue Mountain race program. The only thing more fun than ski racing has been teaching kids to ski race. It is incredibly rewarding (and sometimes nerve wracking) to watch them master a skill and perform in competition.

In addition to skiing in the Poconos on weekends, we take a family ski trip out west each winter. The size of the mountains and the annual snowfall makes for incredible skiing. Although there are many amazing ski resorts, one of my favorites is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jackson Hole is known for challenging terrain, fresh powder and beautiful views of the Teton Mountains and Yellowstone National Park. It is almost hard to believe that I started skiing at 180 feet of vertical and now often get to ski at over 4000 feet of vertical!

I am humbled by the opportunity to work at Rothman Orthopaedics and take care of people with spine problems. I cannot think of anything more rewarding than taking away a patients pain allowing them to live life to the fullest. During the winter months, when I am not at work, you will likely find me skiing with my family pursuing one of my lifelong passions.