Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Completes First Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery in the Mat-Su Valley
6/4/2026
PALMER, Alaska, June 2026 — Mat-Su Regional Medical Center made a major advancement in spine care with the successful completion of its first lumbar disc replacement surgery, performed by Dr. Garret Schuchart, an independent member of the medical staff at Mat-Su Regional.
The procedure marks an important milestone in expanding access to advanced spine care locally, allowing more patients to receive specialized surgical treatment close to home rather than traveling to Anchorage or out of state.
Lumbar disc replacement is an advanced surgical procedure used to treat certain patients with degenerative disc disease in the lower back. The procedure replaces a damaged spinal disc with an artificial implant designed to preserve motion while relieving pressure on nerves that can cause pain, numbness, weakness and reduced mobility. Unlike traditional spinal fusion, disc replacement aims to maintain the spine’s natural range of motion.
“Bringing this level of spine care to the Mat-Su Valley enhances access to a crucial service for our community,” said Taylor Rudd, CEO of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. “Patients who previously may have needed to travel to Anchorage or out of state for this type of procedure can now receive advanced surgical care right here at home, closer to their families and support systems.”
Degenerative changes in the spine can result from aging, injury or disc herniation and often lead to chronic pain and nerve compression. For carefully selected patients, lumbar disc replacement can provide pain relief while preserving movement and supporting a quicker return to daily activities.
“Expanding access to advanced spine procedures like lumbar disc replacement doesn’t just benefit patients here in the Mat-Su Valley — it benefits people across the entire state of Alaska,” said Dr. Schuchart. “For many Alaskans, traveling long distances for specialty surgical care can create financial, logistical, and emotional challenges. Being able to offer this procedure locally means more patients can receive high-level spine care closer to home, while staying connected to their families, support systems, and communities during recovery.”
The procedure reflects Mat-Su Regional Medical Center’s continued commitment to expanding specialty services and increasing access to advanced, high-quality care for the growing Mat-Su community.
Mat-Su Regional Medical Center has a total of three spine surgeons on the medical staff, Gene Falkowski, D.O., Curtis Mina. M.D., & Garret Schuchart, M.D.
Pictured left to right: MSRMC CEO Taylor Rudd, R.N., Danielle Fitzgerald, Dr. Garret Schuchart (Pioneer Peak Orthopedic Surgery), and MSRMC OR Director Ryan Van Ausdal.
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