Gary L. Schmidt, MD, MBA is a board‑certified orthopedic spine surgeon and senior medical director with extensive clinical, academic, and leadership experience. He currently serves as Senior Medical Director and UM Operations Manager for Musculoskeletal Spine at Elevance Health/Carelon, guiding clinical strategy and utilization management.

Dr. Schmidt completed his medical education at Penn State College of Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, and the Charlotte Spine Center, later earning his MBA from the University of Tennessee. His surgical career includes positions at Somerset Orthopaedics, Western Maryland Health System, and Allegheny Health Network, where he held key leadership roles.

An active contributor to professional societies and academic medicine, Dr. Schmidt has served on committees for NASS and Drexel College of Medicine, and published widely on spine surgery, biomechanics, trauma, and chronic pain. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Spine Surgery, a Fellow of the AAOS, and continues to advance spine care through research, teaching, and leadership.