Becker’s Spine Review names UCI Heath orthopedic surgeon one of the nation’s 15 rising stars to know
Dr. Hao-Hua Wu has been recognized for his contributions toward evolving the field of orthopaedic spine care
IN THE NEWS: Across the United States, orthopaedic spine surgeons are improving patient outcomes by transforming the way complex procedures are performed through robot-assisted surgery.
UCI Health orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Hao-Hua Wu has been named as one of the “15 rising stars in spine surgery to know” by Becker’s Spine Review. Wu and his peers are changing the future of spine care through their expertise, research and leadership in the field.
Wu specializes in cervical, thoracic and lumbar disorders, with expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery, robot-assisted procedures and motion-preserving techniques such as cervical disc replacement. He is committed to evidence-based care, emphasizing nonsurgical treatment whenever appropriate.
Wu is also an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. An accomplished spine researcher and educator, he has published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers focused on patient outcomes, global health and medical education. Internationally for his leadership in surgical education, Wu authored the Gunner Goggles textbook series and has developed academic partnerships to advance spine care and surgical training worldwide. In 2025, he was recognized by SpineLine magazine as one of its 20 Under 40.
About UCI Health
UCI Health is one of California’s largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health — Orange, UCI Health — Irvine, its newest facility, UCI Health — Irvine Rehabilitation Hospital, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County’s only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education. Follow UCI Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.