Josephine Coury Whalley, MD

Dr. Josephine Coury Whalley is an Ivy League–trained Orthopedic Spine Surgeon who specializes in pediatric spinal deformity. She is one of a small number of surgeons trained in both pediatric and adult spine surgery, allowing her to care for patients from infancy through adulthood. Born in Houston, she is proud to return home to care for children and families in Texas and beyond.

She treats the full range of spinal conditions, including adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, early-onset scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis, congenital deformity and scoliosis related to neuromuscular and genetic conditions. Her care ranges from bracing and Mehta casting to growth-friendly surgery (Shilla, MAGEC), vertebral body tethering, spinal fusion, and minimally invasive procedures such as microscopic discectomy and cervical disc arthroplasty. She has particular expertise in complex reconstruction and revision surgery for patients with ongoing pain or deformity after previous spine surgery.

Trained in both orthopedic and neurosurgical approaches to the spine, Dr. Coury Whalley learned from internationally recognized leaders including Drs. Lawrence G. Lenke, Michael G. Vitale, Ronald A. Lehman, K. Daniel Riew and Dean Chou. Her training focused on the highest-complexity cases, caring for patients referred from around the world with severe and rigid deformities. She frequently performed multilevel three-column osteotomies, the most powerful techniques for correcting these deformities.

Dr. Coury Whalley has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and given more than 100 presentations at national and international meetings. Her work has earned numerous research awards, and she was named the North American Spine Society's 20 Under 40 and top pick on Becker's Spine Review's "15 Rising Stars in Spine Surgery to Know." Passionate about outreach and education, she serves on the social media committees of the Scoliosis Research Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 

Personal Statement

I believe every child deserves the opportunity to live a full, active life without being limited by a spinal condition. I treat each patient as an individual, taking the time to understand their concerns, their goals and what matters most to them and their family. I explore all treatment options, both nonsurgical and surgical, and work together with families so they can make informed, confident decisions about their care.

I am especially passionate about helping children with complex spinal conditions, including those who have had previous surgery and continue to struggle with pain or other challenges. I find it deeply rewarding to work through difficult problems and find solutions that make a meaningful difference in a child's life. Above all, I want my patients and their families to feel heard, supported and confident that I will always advocate for the best possible outcome.

I was born in Houston and am thrilled to be back, close to family, with my husband, Nick. Outside of work, I love playing the cello, running and traveling. I am also committed to giving back, and I have volunteered with Global Spine Outreach to provide scoliosis surgery for children in Monterrey, Mexico.

Clinical Interests

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, early-onset scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, hemivertebra, neuromuscular and syndromic scoliosis, Scheuermann's kyphosis, congenital kyphosis, complex spinal deformity, spondylolisthesis, complex revision spine surgery, pain or complications after prior spine surgery, scoliosis bracing, Mehta casting, growth-friendly surgery, MAGEC rods, Shilla growth guidance, vertebral body tethering, spinal fusion, spinal osteotomies, minimally invasive spine surgery, disc herniation, microscopic discectomy, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, cervical spine disorders, cervical deformity, cervical disc arthroplasty.

Education

Organizations

Board Certification

Honors and awards

2026

Early Career Surgeon Grant, International Spinal Deformity Symposium

2026

15 Rising Stars to Know, 2026, Becker's Spine Review

2026

Best Papers Award, Safety in Spine Surgery Summit

2025

20 Under 40 Award, North American Spine Society

2025

Albert Scholar Award (3-time recipient), AANS/CNS Spine Section

2024

Lawrence G. Lenke Spine Award, Columbia University

2023-2024

Executive Chief Resident, Columbia University Orthopaedic Surgery

2024

Alexander Garcia Outstanding Senior Resident Award, Columbia University

2024

Hardest Working Resident Award, Columbia University

2023

Best Papers Award, North American Spine Society Annual Meeting

2022

Presenter's Choice Award, OREF Northeastern Resident Research Symposium

2021

Resident Research Award, North American Spine Society Annual Meeting

2019

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

2019

Graduation with Distinction in Research, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

2017

Nina Star Award, Association of Women Surgeons

* Texas Children’s Hospital physicians’ licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician’s office and were not verified by Texas Children’s Hospital.

Research interests

Pediatric spinal deformity, complex revision spine surgery, spinal alignment and sagittal balance, optimization of surgical techniques and outcomes, fusion level selection in scoliosis surgery, prevention of postoperative complications, surgical safety and quality improvement, motion preservation and growth-friendly surgical techniques, minimally invasive spine surgery, enhanced recovery after spine surgery, and improving patient-reported outcomes, recovery and long-term quality of life.

Coury JR, Sardar ZM, Shen Y, Ren M, Hosein-Woodley R; Harms Study Group; Lenke LG. Risk factors for proximal junctional kyphosis in a multicenter study of Lenke type 5 and 6 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. Spine Deformity, 2023. doi: 10.1007/s43390-023-00762-2. PMID: 37656391

Coury JR, Morrissette CR, Lenke LG. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Lenke classification and surgical indications. In: Vaccaro AR, Baron EM, eds. Operative Techniques: Spine Surgery, 4th ed. Elsevier; 2023

Coury Whalley J, Hassan FM, Reyes JL, Jackson TJ, Zhang AS, Strong MJ, Lombardi J, Beauchamp E, Sardar Z, Lehman R, Lenke L. The impact of preoperative cervical degeneration on proximal junctional kyphosis in adult spinal deformity surgery with an upper-thoracic upper instrumented vertebra. Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, 2026. doi: 10.3171/2026.5.SPINE26197. PMID: 42727104

Whalley JC, Hassan F, Reyes J, Greisberg G, Dionne A, Shen Y, Lombardi J, Beauchamp E, Sardar Z, Lehman R, Lenke L. The touched vertebra method for lower instrumented vertebra selection in adult idiopathic scoliosis using preoperative upright and supine radiographs. Spine Deformity, 2026. doi: 10.1007/s43390-026-01416-9. PMID: 42154410

Coury JR, Reyes JL, Hassan FM, Czerwonka N, Greisberg G, Whitmer L, Tega OO, Lombardi JM, Lehman RA, Lenke LG, Sardar ZM. The relationship of CT Hounsfield units at UIV+1 and UIV+2 relative to UIV predicts proximal junctional kyphosis in patients with long spinal constructs. Spine, 2025. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000005413. PMID: 40459145

Sardar ZM, Coury JR, Cerpa M, DeWald CJ, Ames CP, Shuhart C, Watkins C, Polly DW, Dirschl DR, Klineberg EO, Dimar JR, Krohn KD, Kebaish KM, Tosi LL, Kelly M, Lane NE, Binkley NC, Berven SH, Lee NJ, Anderson P, Angevine PD, Lehman RA, Lenke LG. Best practice guidelines for assessment and management of osteoporosis in adult patients undergoing elective spinal reconstruction. Spine, 2022;47(2):128-135. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000004268. PMID: 34690329

O'Connor MJ, Brown MW, Elfilali MM, Park AM, Bomback MJ, Williams ED, Choi J, Coury JR, Lenke LG, Roye BD, Vitale MG. Are we getting what we ask for: few patients meet mean arterial pressure (MAP) goals after intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) changes during pediatric spine surgery. Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics, 2026. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000003295. PMID: 41955625