Dr. Li is Vice Chair for Research and Director of the Orthopaedic Spine Fellowship at the University of Virginia. He specializes in advanced spine surgery across cervical, thoracic, and lumbar conditions, including motion-preserving, minimally invasive, and robotic-assisted techniques. He also leads an NIH-funded research program focused on improving spine care.

6 2 E1504239984399 682x1024
5 16
superman

Awards

patient experience award 1
patient experiences award 2024
patient experiences award 2023
NASS 2013 1024x768
Kappa Delta Award 1024x768
CSRS 1024x768
ORS New Investigator Award 1024x768
AO Spine Award 1024x768
OPA Spine Journal 1024x768
  1. 2025 University of Virginia Patient Experience Award
  2. 2025 University of Virginia Charles W. Miller, MD Resident Teaching Award        
  3. 2025 ISSLS Best Poster Award
  4. 2025 Top 1% Contribution to Research in Orthopaedic Surgery, Avant-Grade Health         
  5. 2024 University of Virginia Patient Experience Award
  6. 2024 Alternate for the AOA 2025 ABC Traveling Fellowship             
  7. 2023 University of Virginia Patient Experience Award
  8. 2021 Alternate for the AOA 2021 North American Traveling Fellowship
  9. 2019 Best Bedside Manner Awards, Honorable Mention, OurHealth Charlottesville and Shenandoah Valley Magazine; Surgery – Spine
  10. 2019 Guest Editor, Seminars in Spine Surgery
  11. 2016 University of Virginia Shen Resident Research Award
  12. 2016 Eastern Orthopaedic Association’s Resident/Fellow Award
  13. 2015 Eastern Orthopaedic Association’s Resident Travel Award
  14. 2015 Orthopaedic Trauma Association Resident Grant
  15. 2015 Virginia Orthopaedic Society Best Podium Presentation Award
  16. 2015 AAOS/OREF/ORS Clinician Scholar Development Program
  17. 2013 North American Spine Society Research Award
  18. 2013 Eastern Orthopaedic Association’s Resident/Fellow Award
  19. 2012 Kappa Delta Young Investigator Award
  20. 2011 North American Spine Society Research Award
  21. 2011 Orthopaedic Trauma Association Resident Grant
  22. 2011 Eastern Orthopaedic Association’s Founders’ Award
  23. 2009, 2010 Young Investigator Research Grant Award – AO Spine North America          
  24. 2008 Scoliosis Research Society Research Award
  25. 2007 Outstanding Paper Award of the ‘Spine Journal’’
  26. 2007 Virginia Orthopaedic Society Best Paper Award
  27. 2007 Cervical Spine Society Research Grant Award
  28. 2006 Outstanding Paper Award of the ‘Spine Journal’
  29. 2995 North American Spine Society Research Award
  30. 2005, 2007 Arthritis Foundation Travel Award
  31. 2004 Career Development Award, Orthopaedic Research Society
  32. 2001 New Investigator Recognition Award, Orthopaedic Research Society