Dr. Shawn F. Hermenau, MD

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Get to know Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Shawn F. Hermenau, who serves patients in Yuma, Arizona.

Dr. Hermenau is an Ivy League-trained spine surgeon and aesthetic expert in Yuma, Arizona. As the Founder of Desert Spine Institute, he provides non-invasive and minimally-invasive treatments for spinal issues including scoliosis, sciatica, spinal tumors, and spinal trauma. He also offers effective aesthetic services including tattoo removal, acne scar treatment, and wrinkle treatments.

Providing conservative and surgical treatment for patients of all ages, Dr. Hermenau is the only spine surgeon between San Diego and Phoenix, treating patients with the finest care possible close to home. As a conservative surgeon, he performs surgery only when necessary and utilizes the best non-invasive and minimally-invasive treatment options whenever possible.

With a broad educational background, Dr. Hermenau attended the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in physics. He then went on to earn his medical doctorate from the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. After medical school, he completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery with the U.S. Army at military facilities in Hawaii, Louisiana, and Georgia. He then completed a prestigious spine fellowship at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

During his 13 year military career, he served a term in Afghanistan. Upon retiring from the army as a major, he was awarded the Bronze Star. He relocated to Yuma and founded Desert Spine Institute in 2010.

With a focus on the body’s musculoskeletal system, the doctor is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). The ABOS is an organization with the goal of establishing educational and professional standards for orthopaedic residents and surgeons as well as evaluating the qualifications and competence of orthopaedic surgeons.

Providing comprehensive, patient-centered care for patients with spinal pathology, Dr. Hermenau sees himself as a patient-centered physician first and a spine surgeon second. He believes that orthopedics is a combination of science and art– the art of healing people and improving their health through the sciences.

Licensed to practice medicine in Arizona, he is affiliated with Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System-Tucson, Yuma Regional Medical Center, Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, and Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center.

A member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the North American Spine Society, Dr. Hermenau has served on the cancer board for tumors of the spine. He has also published numerous papers on spinal surgery.

Orthopaedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

Among his numerous accolades, Dr. Hermenau is the recipient of Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2013, 2018, 2020), On-Time Doctor Award (2014, 2020), and Patients’ Choice Award (2018, 2020).

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four daughters, skiing, scuba diving, and flying.

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