John A. Heflin, M.D.
Pediatric Specialist
Dr. John Heflin is a nationally recognized pediatric orthopedic surgeon who specializes in pediatric spine deformity, fracture care, and general pediatric orthopedic conditions. Before becoming a surgeon, Dr. Heflin received his Mechanical Engineering degree at Auburn University and then five years later entered into medicine. He graduated from Emory University Medical School and then stayed to complete his orthopedic residency. He completed his fellowship in Salt Lake at the University of Utah in Pediatric Orthopedics.
Since completing his training, Dr. Heflin’s focus has primarily been in the care of pediatric spinal deformity and complex spinal pathology. He has extensive experience in early onset scoliosis, growth friendly surgery, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, as well as neuromuscular, syndromic spinal deformity and spinal trauma.
Dr. Heflin is actively involved in improving operative techniques and developing spinal instrumentation to improve outcomes in children with Early Onset Scoliosis. He has authored or co-authored numerous publications and has several medical device patents. He is a member of the Pediatric Spine Foundation and Pediatric Spine Study Group.
He currently lives in Salt Lake City with his wife and their three children. Outside the hospital, he enjoys spending time outdoors and in the mountains participating in various activities including skiing, hiking, and mountain biking.
Areas of Expertise
- Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
- Scheuermann’s Kyphosis
- Early Onset Scoliosis
- Congenital Scoliosis/Kyphosis
- Neuromuscular Scoliosis
- Syndromic Scoliosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spine Tumors/Infection
- Disk Herniations
- Spinal Trauma
- Trauma of the upper and lower extremities
Education
- College: Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 1991-1996 Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering
- Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 2001-2005, Medical Degree (M.D.)
- Orthopedic Residency: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 2005-2010
- Pediatric Orthopedic Fellowship: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010-2011
- Board Certification: American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS) 2015 to present, recertified in 2023
Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedic Associates, Atlanta, Georgia 2011-2012, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
- Mountainview Orthopedics, Ogden, Utah 2012-2013, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
- University of Utah Department of Orthopedics, Salt Lake City, Utah 2013-2023, Assistant Professor of Orthopedics, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
- Shiner’s Hospital for Children, Salt Lake City, Utah 2013-2023, Assistant Professor of Orthopedics, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
- University of Utah, Department of Orthopedics Innovation Center, Medical Director 2020 – 2023
- The Orthopedic Partners, Park City, Utah 2023 – Present, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
