Dr. Clint Devin, a spine surgeon at Steamboat Orthopaedic and Spine Institute (SOSI), died in a small plane crash on Friday, December 10, 2021.
His plane crashed at the top of Emerald Mountain in northern Colorado while flying into Steamboat from Cody, Wyoming, according to CBS’ Denver affiliate. He was the only one on board at the time. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
Devin, 46 years old, is remembered by his colleagues for his dedication to his patients’ healing. Steamboat Orthopaedic and Spine Institute released a statement on Facebook:
“Our community has lost a brilliant spine surgeon who helped many to move forward in their journey towards healing. As a father and husband, Clint was dedicated to his family and was thrilled to move them to Steamboat to be a part of our active, caring community. As a partner, Dr. Devin was a driver in the creation of the new SOSI practice and the Steamboat Surgical Center. Clint Devin, with his intellect and genuine smile will truly be missed by all of us.”
Prior to moving to Steamboat, Colorado, he was the head of spine trauma at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and an adjunct associate professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
He performed more than 5,500 spine surgeries of all levels of complexity over his surgical career. His philosophy was to provide the least invasive treatment possible that would still allow patients to return to doing what they loved.
“It’s a dramatic impact that you can have on patients’ lives—to see someone whose balance and coordination is off and then get them walking, or someone with awful pain from disc herniation and being able to address that,” he said in a interview.
Dr. Devin received his medical degree at Vanderbilt University and completed his orthopedic residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He also completed a complex spinal-reconstruction fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
He is survived by his wife Jessica Devin, M.D. and their two young sons.
Dr Devin was one of the most caring, compassionate and humble Doctors I have had the opportunity to be a patient off. He always made me feel like I really mattered, I wasn’t just a number or surgery patient. I was a human being. I trusted him with my life and would have referred him to a family member or a friend. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, colleagues and the community. I don’t think they can ever replace him. They can try, however Dr Devin was one of a kind.
First off, I would like to say Dr Devin saved my life. I honestly don’t have the words to express my gratitude for this man. Clint preformed a 5 layer fusion on my spine last February, I had a dual compression fracture to my t5. The hospital was lucky enough to catch Clint while he was in steamboat. Dr Devin had me walking the next day and back on snow the next season. I was just in for a check up on my shoulder with another physician in CO when I found out the news and broke down. I know stories like mine and many others will carry on his legacy. He is the ONLY reason I’m not in a wheel chair. My prayers go out to his wife and children. Your father was a hero. Thank you Clint.❣️