Education + Background
Dr. Peter Swiatek is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon who specializes in diseases and disorders of the spine, including disc herniations, degenerative cervical, thoracic, and lumbar disease, trauma, tumors, and spinal deformity. He also specializes in repairing failed spine surgeries and revision spine procedures. Dr. Swiatek tailors his treatment plans to the needs of each of his patients, with a focus on non-operative management whenever possible. When surgery is necessary, he takes pride in offering patient-specific solutions that minimize the amount of surgery needed to maximize results.
Education
He is passionate about safety in spine surgery and is a champion for evidence-based surgical practice. Dr. Swiatek graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a degree in neurobiology and experience playing on the men’s Division I basketball team. He graduated with honors from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, MI, and earned the Dean’s commendation for excellence in clinical skills.
2023-2024
Rothman Orthopaedic Institute / Thomas Jefferson University
Fellowship in Spinal Surgery
Co-Directors Dr. Alan Hilibrand and Dr. Alex Vaccaro
Philadelphia, PA
2018-2023
Northwestern University / McGaw Medical Center
Residency – Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Chicago, IL
2014-2018
University of Michigan
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) with Distinction in Research
Ann Arbor, MI
2008-2012
Harvard University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Neurobiology, Global Health & Health Policy
Magna cum laude with High Honors
NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball
Cambridge, MA
2004-2008
Cascia Hall Preparatory School
Valedictorian, National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist
Tulsa, OK
Carmel, IN
2024-Present
Indiana Spine Group
Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon
Board-Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS)
2012-2014
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Associate Consultant
Served as consult in pharmaceutical, consumer goods, and non-profit sectors
Managed projects in commercial growth strategy and lean manufacturing
Consulted for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA
Boston, MA
2012-2012
MyEnergy (acquired by Nest, Google)
Business analyst
Managed the company’s social media presence
Conducted due diligence on various utility and energy companies
Boston, MA
2008-2012
SAT Test Prep
Self-Employed
Developed original curriculum and instructed nearly 200 students
Grossed more than $25,000 in revenue over four summers
Tulsa OK
2024–Present
State of Indiana, IPLA Medical Licensing Board of Indiana
Medical License, 01093448A
Indiana
2018–2023
State of Illinois, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Licensed Medical Temporary, 125.071721
Illinois
2023–2025
State of New Jersey, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General
Medical License, 25MA11730400
New Jersey
2023–2024
State of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs
Medical License, MD480443
Pennsylvania
2026 – present
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS), Board-Certified
2021 – present
North American Spine Society
2014 – 2018
American Medical Association
2014 – 2018
American Medical Student Association
2018
Graduation Honors with Distinction in Research
University of Michigan Medical School
Awarded to 10% of class based upon research and faculty support
Ann Arbor, MI
2018
Dean’s Commendation for Excellence in Clinical Skills
University of Michigan Medical School
Awarded to 10% of seniors based on clinical assessment exam (CCA) scores
Ann Arbor, MI
2012
Magna Cum Laude with High Honors
Harvard University
Top 20% of graduating class, completed thesis in neurobiology
Cambridge, MA
2012
Thomas T. Hoopes Prize Nominee for Outstanding Scholarly Work
Harvard University
Nominated by faculty for work on hippocampal theta rhythms in rat models
Cambridge, MA
2008
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
U.S. Department of Education
Awarded $1,500 for excellence and achievement
Tulsa, OK
2007
National Merit Scholarship Program
Semi-Finalist
Awarded to top 0.5% of state’s senior students based on SAT/PSAT
Tulsa, OK
2005
Eagle Scout Award
Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
Highest ranked achievable in BSA, attained by 4% of all Scouts
Tulsa, OK
GRANT SUPPORT:
2020
Northwestern University Resident Research Grant
Feinberg School of Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Impact of Facet Distraction on Patient Reported Outcomes after ACDF.
PI: Alpesh Patel, MD, MBA. Awarded $2,500.
Chicago, IL
2017
Plastic Surgery Foundation Combined Pilot Research Grant
Impact of Preoperative Mammography on Reduction Mammoplasty Episode of Care. PI: Kevin C. Chung, MD. Awarded $10,000.
Arlington
Heights, IL
2015
Student Biomedical Research Program (SBRP) Grant
University of Michigan Medical School
Hospital Quality and Performance of a Complex Surgical Procedure After Traumatic Digit Amputation. PI: Kevin C. Chung. Awarded $4,000.
Ann Arbor, MI
2011
Harvard College Research Program Grant
The Influence of the Median Raphe on Hippocampal Theta Oscillations as Revealed by Electrophysiology and Optogenetics. PI: Bernat Kocsis, MD. Awarded $3,400.
Cambridge, MA
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Wu SA, Mehta MP, Ho AA, Wun KH, Gerlach EB, Carney J, Swiatek PR, Shah C. An updated analysis of the content and accessibility of hand surgery fellowship websites and fellowship directories. Journal of Orthopaedic Experience & Innovation. 2023. (Publication Pending)
Roumeliotis AG, Swiatek PR, Goedderz C, Mathur P, Zhang Y, Gerlach EB, Divi SN, Hsu WK, Patel AA. Patient and Surgeon Perceptions Regarding Microdiscectomy Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Social Media Posts. International Journal of Spine Surgery. Accepted 2023 Jan. (Publication pending)
Lanzetta N, Gilliken T, Swiatek PR, Gerlach EB, Terry M, Tjong V. Characteristics of Team Physicians in the National Football League: The Road to Success and A Call for Diversity. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. Accepted for publication Feb 2023. (Publication pending)
Wu S, Plantz M, Gerlach E, Swiatek P, Hardt K. Comparing Economic Outcomes and Reimbursement Trends Between Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty and Unicompartmental Arthroplasty. Journal of Orthopaedic Experience and Innovation. 2021 Dec 6.
Carney JC, Gerlack E, Plantz M, Swiatek PR, Marx J, Saltzman, Marra G. Primary versus Revision Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: Comparing Relative Value and Reimbursement Trends. Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow. 2022 Mar; 25(1):42-48. doi: 10.5397/cise.2021.00458. PMID 35045596.
Wu S, Plantz M, Gerlach E, Arpey N, Swiatek P, Carney J, Tjong V. Outcomes after Arthroscopy Rotator Cuff Repair in Patients 65 and Older: A Matched Analysis. Journal of ISAKOS: Joint Disorders & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 2021 Nov 18;6:380-583.
Swiatek PR and Hsu WK. Reply to “Letter to the Editor.” Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2021 Sep 10. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000004218.
Reynolds C, Mehta M, Neuville A, Wu S, Ho A, Swiatek P, Gerlach E, Carney J, Shah C. Factors Associated with Negative Tone in Social Media Posts about Carpal Tunnel Release. Journal of Hand Surgery. 2023. (Submitted).
Swiatek PR, Roumeliotis AG, Peabody J, Malik S, Reynolds C, Mathur P, Gerlach EB, Divi SN, Hsu WK, Patel AA. Scoliosis Surgery in Social Media: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Surgeon and Patient Perceptions. Seminars in Spine Surgery. 2022. (Submitted)
Roumeliotis AG, Larkin CJ, Thirunavu V, Shlobin NA, Chan K, Karras CL, Swiatek PR, Kandula V, Shah P, Nader S. Dahdaleh. Surgical Management of Metastatic Prostate Cancer to the Spine: A Retrospective Analysis of Outcome and Prognosis. World Neurosurgery. 2022. (Submitted)
BOOK CHAPTERS
Swiatek PR, Sanders EJ, McCarthy MH. Chapter 5: Clinical Correlations to Specific Phenotypes and Measurements with Classification Systems. Atlas of Spinal Imaging Phenotypes: Classifications and Radiographic Measurements. 2021 April, p37-55. An HS, Louie PK, Samartzis D. Elsevier: Philadelphia, PA. ISBN 9780323761116.
Swiatek P and Hsu WK. Navigation Techniques. The Fellow’s Manual: Techniques of Spine Surgery. Boody BS, Russo G, Vaccaro A, Anderson G. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers: New Dehli, India. 2020 Mar. (Publication Pending)
Swiatek P. Congenital Curly Toe Contractures. Orthopaedics for the Newborn and Young Child. Sarwark JF, Carl RL. Springer: East Brunswick, NJ. 2020 Dec. (Publication Pending)
ACCEPTED ABSTRACTS AND PODIUMS
Reynolds C, Mehta M, Neuville A, Wu S, Ho A, Swiatek P, Gerlach E, Carney J, Shah C. Factors Associated with Negative Tone in Social Media Posts about Carpal Tunnel Release. Accepted for poster presentation at the American Society of Peripheral Nerve Annual Meeting. Miami, FL. January 2023.
Kurapaty S, Goodwin A, Swiatek P, Sarwark J. Elucidating New Genetic Features of IS to Better Understand Idiopathic Scoliosis Etiology: The Lurie Children’s 5 Year AISE (Scoliosis Etiology) Report. 16th Annual Lewis Landsberg Research Day. Feinberg School of Medicine. September 2022.
Lanzetta N, Gillikin T, Swiatek P, Gerlach E, Terry M, Tjong V. What are the Characteristics of Team Physicians in the NFL? Accepted for podium presentation at the Clinical Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX. September 2022.
Gerlach E, Plantz M, Alvandi B, Swiatek P, Marx J, Divi S, Hsu W, Patel A. Pre-Operative Opioid Use Is Associated With Higher Rates of Healthcare Utilization After Elective Cervical Spine Surgery. Accepted for poster presentation at the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) 50th Annual Meeting. San Diego, California. November 2022.
Gerlach E, Plantz M, Arpey N, Swiatek P, Marx J, Goedderz C, Divi S, Hsu W, Patel A. Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) Can Be Used to Predict Healthcare Resource Utilization and Persistent Opioid Use After Elective Lumbar Spine Surgery. Accepted for podium presentation at the North American Spine Society (NASS) 37th Annual Meeting. Chicago, Illinois. October 2022.
Reynolds C, Mehta M, Neuville A, Wu S, Ho A, Swiatek P, Gerlach E, Carney J, Shah C. Factors Associated with Negative Tone in Social Media Posts about Carpal Tunnel Release. Accepted for poster presentation at the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand. London, England. June 2022.
Madhan A, Mehta M, Swiatek P, Gerlach E, Carney J, Shah C. Leadership Trends in Hand Surgery Fellowship Programs. Accepted for poster presentation at the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand. London, England. June 2022.
Mehta M, Reynolds C, Erkkila I, Clements S, Baskin R, Swiatek P, Gerlach E, Carney J, Shah C. Factors Associated with Negative Tone in Social Media Posts about Distal Radius Fractures. Accepted for poster presentation at the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand. London, England. June 2022.
Plantz M, Arpey N, Goedderz C, Gerlach E, Weiner J, Swiatek P, Divi S, Patel A, Hsu W. Patient Satisfaction with Spine Surgery Telemedicine Visits. Accepted for podium presentation at the 15th Annual Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS) Annual Scientific Meeting. Chicago, Illinois. April 2022.
Gerlach E, Plantz M, Arpey N, Swiatek P, Marx J, Ameri J, Divi S, Hsu W, Patel A. The Influence of Persistent Opioid Use on Healthcare Resource Utilization After Elective Lumbar Spine Surgery. Accepted for poster presentation at the 15th Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS) Annual Scientific Meeting. Chicago, Illinois. April 2022.
Gerlach E, Plantz M, Arpey N, Swiatek P, Marx J, Weiner J, Divi S, Hsu W, Patel A Patients Undergoing Lumbar Fusion Show Similar Improvement in PROMIS Outcomes and Overall Healthcare Utilization at 2 years Compared to Patients Undergoing Decompression Alone. Accepted for poster presentation at the 15th Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS) Annual Scientific Meeting. Chicago, Illinois. April 2022.
Gerlach E, Nicolay R, Nayak R, Cantrell C, Johnson D, Plantz M, Swiatek P, Marra G. The Critical Shoulder Angle as a Highly Specific Predictor of a Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear: A Case-Control Study. Accepted for poster presentation at the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy, 20th Congress. Paris, France. April 2022.
Gerlach E, Plantz M, Arpey N, Swiatek P, Divi S, Hsu W, Patel A. Predictive Analysis of the Health Resource Utilization after Elective Spine Surgery. Accepted for poster presentation at the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (MAOA) 39th Annual Meeting. San Antonio, Texas. April 2022.
Gerlach E, Plantz M, Arpey N, Swiatek P,
Weiner J, Divi S, Hsu W, Patel A. Early Emergency Department Visits are a Predictor of Increased Healthcare Utilization Within One Year after Elective Spine Surgery. Accepted for podium presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Annual Meeting. Chicago, Illinois. March 2022.
Gerlach E, Plantz M, Arpey N, Swiatek P, Weiner J, Divi S, Hsu W, Patel A. The Drivers of Persistent Opioid Use and Its Impact on Healthcare Utilization after Elective Spine Surgery. Accepted for podium presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Annual Meeting. Chicago, Illinois. March 2022.
Gerlach E, Plantz M, Arpey N, Swiatek P, Weiner J, Weissman J, Divi S, Hsu W, Patel A. The Drivers of Persistent Opioid Use and Its Impact on Healthcare Utilization after Elective Spine Surgery. Accepted for podium at the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (MAOA) 39th Annual Meeting. San Antonio, Texas. April 2022.
Madhan A, Mehta MP, Qin M, Swiatek PR, Gerlach EB, Carney J, Cantrell C, Shah C. Leadership Trends In Hand Surgery Fellowships. Accepted for podium presentation at the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (MAOA) 39th Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX. April 2022.
Gerlach E, Plantz M, Arpey N, Swiatek P, Weiner J, Weissman J, Divi S, Hsu W, Patel A. Early Emergency Department Visits are a Predictor of Increased Healthcare Utilization Within One Year after Elective Spine Surgery. Accepted for podium presentation at the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (MAOA) 39th Annual Meeting. San Antonio, Texas. April 2022.
Weissman J, Plantz M, Gerlach E, Arpey N, Swiatek P, Jones C, Divi S. Outcomes of Elective Lumbar Decompression and Decompression with Fusion Procedures in Octogenarians. Accepted for podium at the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (MAOA) 39th Annual Meeting. San Antonio, Texas. April 2022.
Swiatek P, Roumeliotis A, Weiner J, Ramesh A, Johnson D, Gerlach E, Divi S, Patel A, Hsu W. Social Media Posts Pertaining to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Patient and Surgeon Perceptions. Accepted for poster presentation at the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (MAOA) 39th Annual Meeting. San Antonio, Texas. April 2022.
Roumeliotis AG, Swiatek PR, Goedderz C, Mathur P, Zhang Y, Gerlach EB, Divi S, Hsu WK, Patel AA. Microdiscectomy Surgery in Social Media: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Patient and Surgeon Perceptions. Accepted for podium presentation at the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (MAOA) 39th Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX. April 2022.
Swiatek PR, Roumeliotis AG, Weiner JA, Ramesh Ashvita, Johnson DJ, Gerlach EB, Divi S, Patel AA, Hsu WK. Social Media Posts Pertaining to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Patient and Surgeon Perceptions. Accepted for podium presentation at the 49th Annual Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) Meeting. Atlanta, GA. December 2021.
Gerlach E, Plantz M, Arpey N, Swiatek P, Weiner J, Divi S, Hsu W, Patel A. Does Persistent Opioid Use Predict Healthcare Resource Utilization after Cervical Spine Surgery? Accepted for poster presentation at the 49th Annual Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) Meeting. Atlanta, GA. December 2021.
Marx J, Gerlach EB, Plantz MA, Carey J, Weisman JP, Furman AA, Cantrell C, Arpey N, Swiatek PR, Tjong V. Primary Versus Revision ACL Reconstruction: Short-term Outcomes and Relative Valuation. Accepted for podium presentation at the 109th Clinical Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting. Nashville, TN. November 2021.
Mathur PK, Plantz MA, Furman AA, Gerlach EB, Smith H, Arpey NA, Cantrell C, Swiatek PR, Marx J, Tjong VK. Risk Factors for Inpatient Hospitalization after Hip Arthroscopy. Accepted for podium presentation at the 109th Clinical Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting. Nashville, TN. November 2021.
Wu SA, Plantz MA, Gerlach EB, Carney J, Swiatek PR, Cantrell C, Arpey N, Smith H, Tjong VK. Short-Term Outcomes After Rotator Cuff Repair in the Elderly Population. Accepted for podium presentation at the 109th Clinical Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting. Nashville, TN. November 2021.
Goedderz C, Plantz MA, Gerlach EB, Cantrell C, Arpey N, Swiatek PR, Smith H, Furman AA, Tjong VK. Short-Term Outcomes after Distal Biceps Repair Using a National Cohort. Accepted for podium presentation at the 109th Clinical Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting. Nashville, TN. November 2021.
Weissman J, Plantz M, Gerlach E, Weiner J, Smith H, Swiatek P, Cantrell C, Arpey N, Butler B. 30-Day Outcomes Analysis of Surgical Management of Radial Head Fractures. Accepted for podium presentation at the 109th Clinical Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting. Nashville, TN. November 2021.
Weissman J, Goedderz C, Mutawakkil M, Swiatek P, Gerlach E, Patel M, Kadakia A. Objective Leadership Characteristics among Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Fellowship Leaders. 109th Clinical Orthopaedic Society, 109th Annual Meeting. Nashville, Tennessee. November 2021.
Marx J, Carney J, Gerlach EB, Plantz M, Swiatek P, Cantrell C, Arpey N, Smith H, Sanders E, Tjong V. Comparing Outcomes and Relative of Primary Versus Revision Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction Using a National Surgical Database. Accepted for e-poster presentation at the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) Global Congress. Cape Town, South Africa. November 2021.
Wu SA, Plantz MA, Gerlach E, Arpey N, Swiatek P, Cantrell C, Carney J, Smith H, Sanders E, Tjong V. Outcomes After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair in Patients 65 And Older: A Matched Analysis. Accepted for e-poster presentation at the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) Global Congress. Cape Town, South Africa. November 2021.
Swiatek PR, Weiner JA, Alvandi BA, Johnson DJ, Butler B, Tjong V, Terry MA. Evaluating the Early Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sports Surgery Fellowship Education. Accepted for poster presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. August 2021.
Bakhsh W, Gerlach E, Swiatek P, Divi S, Hsu W, Patel A. Social Vulnerability and Medical Co-Morbidities are Associated with Increased Complications and High Health Utilization After Elective Spine Surgery. Best Clinical Abstract, AO Spine, 2021 Annual Meeting, Accepted for virtual podium presentation; Chicago, IL. May 2021.
Greatens M, Swiatek P, Carey EG, Gagnier J, Hallstrom B. Accuracy of Diagnostic Medical Record Documentation: Comparing Patient Encounters with Subsequent Progress Note. Abstract accepted at the 23rd Annual Research Forum at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor & Livingston. 18 April 2017.
Sears ED, Swiatek PR, Hou H, Chung KC. National Practice and Impact of Preoperative Electrodiagnostic Studies for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Abstract accepted at the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Annual Meeting. Austin, TX. 29 September 2016.
Kang D, Swiatek P, Ding M, Kocsis B. Characterizing the Interactions Between Hippocampal Theta Generators by Combining CSD and Granger Causality. Poster accepted at the Society for Neuroscience. New Orleans, LA. 13 October 2012.
Swiatek PR, Chung KC, Pandit A, Mahmoudi M. Association Between Hospital Quality and Performance of Complex Surgical Procedure. Poster presented at the University of Michigan Medical School Summer Research Symposium. Ann Arbor, MI. 2 November 2015.
2014 – 2018
Research Investigator
Michigan Center for Hand Outcomes and Innovation Research
University of Michigan, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery
PI: Kevin C. Chung, MD, MS, Assistant Dean, Chief of Hand Surgery
Addressed topics related to quality and effectiveness of health care utilization
Ann Arbor, MI
2011 – 2012
Research Investigator
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry
PI: Bernat Kocsis, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Senior thesis on dual effect of the median raphe nucleus and reticularis pontis oralis on hippocampal theta oscillations in rat models
Boston, MA
2010
Research Investigator
Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Regenerative Medicine
PI: David Scadden, MD, Co-Director, Harvard Stem Cell Institute
Investigated the hematopoietic nice using confocal microscopy in mice
Boston, MA
2016 – 2018
American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
Served as Co-President for AMSA, which organized resources and events for student clubs, pre-med advisors, and surgery interest groups
Ann Arbor, MI
2010 – 2014
Recreational Experience and Arts Creativity with Harvard (REACH)
Volunteered with 12 special needs children, participating in games, arts, crafts, and theatrical performances
Cambridge, MA
2010 – 2012
Access Health
Co-founded student organization aimed at connecting the homeless with health care and medical resources around Cambridge and Boston
Cambridge, MA
2010 – 2012
Harvard Bodybuilding Club
Co-founded bodybuilding as an official club sport at Harvard.
Cambridge, MA
2008 – 2009
Harvard Men’s Division I Basketball
Played the forward and center positions for the Crimson
Multiple injuries forced early retirement from participating at the varsity level
Cambridge, MA
He also specializes in repairing failed spine surgeries and revision spine procedures. Dr. Swiatek tailors his treatment plans to the needs of each of his patients.
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