North American Spine Society

http://www.spine.org

Welcome to the NASS 2020 Virtual Experience

NASS is a global multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, ethical, value-based and evidence-based spine care through education, research and advocacy.

 Videos

 Press Releases

• NASS 2020 Annual Meeting Virtual Experience Offers Fresh Learning Opportunities (Oct 05, 2020)
  

  
  
   

  NASS 2020 Annual Meeting Virtual Experience Offers Fresh Learning Opportunities

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  October 6, 2020

  CONTACT: Jeff Karzen
  (630) 230-3641 or jkarzen@spine.org

  
  CHICAGO – The format is different, but the terrific scientific content will be familiar as NASS pivots to an all-virtual annual meeting this year. NASS 2020 Annual Meeting Virtual Experience will provide attendees opportunities to view live sessions over four days while also viewing numerous presentations in the Session Library during and after the meeting.
  
  A total of 1,234 abstracts were submitted this year, from which the top 296 scientific podium presentations, 140 ePosters and 20 Best Papers were selected.
  
  “I think this will be a productive and pleasant experience because we have taken into consideration several factors,” said Alex Vaccaro, MD, a NASS2020 meeting co-chair. “Because there is no travel, people can expect to proceed with their normal activities of daily living. They can continue with their office hours and procedures, and then enjoying the educational experience offered by NASS. We do not expect attendees to sit in their office all day long for a meeting.”
  
  A total of 51.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM are available, as the virtual meeting provides an excellent mix of surgical and non-surgical content, as well as numerous industry presentations. The meeting kicks off at 1 pm CT on Tuesday with a Presidential Address from William J. Sullivan, MD.
  
  “I think the ability to see all a meeting has to offer is a true step forward,” said DJ Kennedy, MD, a NASS2020 meeting co-chair. “Before, the definition of a great meeting was one that had so much great content it was impossible to see it all. Now we can make the entire meeting accessible to everyone. I strongly suspect that some of this will carry over into the future.”
  
  In addition to Drs. Vaccaro and Kennedy, NASS 2020 is chaired by Michael Fehlings, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS, and Donna Lahey, RNFA. The group has worked tirelessly, quickly pivoting to a virtual meeting and making sure attendees still have the content they’ve come to expect. A new feature this year is the discussion chats during sessions, where attendees can ask questions and discuss session topics with faculty online as the session is happening.
  
  NASS is a multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, evidenced-based and ethical spine care by promoting education, research and advocacy. NASS is comprised of more than 8,500 members from several disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, neurology, radiology, anesthesiology, research and physical therapy. For more information, visit www.spine.org, NASS’ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn channels.
  
  

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• Eeric Truumees, MD, Named President of NASS (Oct 05, 2020)
  

  
  
  
  

  Eeric Truumees, MD, Named President of NASS

  
  
  

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  October 6, 2020

  CONTACT: Jeff Karzen
  (630) 230-3641 or jkarzen@spine.org

  
  CHICAGO – Eeric Truumees, MD, was named president of the North American Spine Society (NASS) during the society’s 35th annual meeting this week.
  
  “I have been a NASS member for 20 years and during that time I have made friends in the spine community around the world and learned a lot about both clinical and non-clinical aspects of spine care,” Dr. Truumees said. “For me, those relationships and the value I have received from my NASS membership, underscore the honor of becoming the NASS President.”
  
  “My predecessors have created an organization that has been modeled by others around the world,” said Dr. Truumees. “I have seen how multidisciplinary organizations like NASS are ideally positioned to represent our patients and our members. For the next year, until our 36th Annual Meeting in Boston in 2021, my goals include broadening our online educational efforts, strengthening our ties to other societies and supporting our outstanding (and ever more important) advocacy work.”
  
  Dr. Truumees is an orthopedic spine surgeon with Texas Spine and Scoliosis, and professor of orthopedic and neurological surgery at the University of Texas, Dell Medical School.
  
  Born in Fort Benning, GA, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Religious Studies from the University of Virginia and received his medical degree from UVA as a Bowman Scholar. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the Cleveland Clinic and his fellowship with Harry Herkowitz, MD, at Beaumont Hospital in Michigan.
  
  Dr. Truumees’ research and academic work has included more than 15 NIH and industry sponsored multicenter trials, which generated over 30 peer-reviewed publications of original research, 40 invited publications, 50 chapters and monographs and two books. Dr. Truumees has given more than 200 national and international presentations, lectureships and instructorships.
  
  NASS is a multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, evidenced-based and ethical spine care by promoting education, research and advocacy. NASS is comprised of more than 8,500 members from several disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, neurology, radiology, anesthesiology, research and physical therapy. For more information, visit www.spine.org, NASS’ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn channels.
  
  

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• NASS Announces 2020 Recognition Awards (Oct 05, 2020)
  

  
  
  
  

  NASS Announces 2020 Recognition Awards

  
  
  

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  October 6, 2020

  CONTACT: Jeff Karzen
  (630) 230-3641 or jkarzen@spine.org

  
  CHICAGO – The North American Spine Society (NASS) has announced the winners of its prestigious 2020 Recognition Awards. Honorees are nominated by their peers for their outstanding contributions to NASS and the field of spine care. Three of the awards are named in honor of founding members of NASS who made significant contributions to the early success of the organization. Another recognizes an advocate who contributes to federal advocacy efforts on behalf of patients and members of the society.
  
  

  • Henry Farfan Award: Barbara D. Boyan, PhD
  • David Selby Award: Michael R. Klein, Jr., MD, FACS
  • Leon Wiltse Award: Richard D. Guyer, MD
  • Spine Advocacy Award: Jeffrey C. Wang, MD

  
  
  Henry Farfan Award: Barbara D. Boyan, PhD
  To recognize outstanding contributions in spine related basic science research.
  
  Barbara D. Boyan, PhD, is a six-year member of NASS, and is the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin, Jr. Dean of Engineering at the Virginia Commonwealth University. She is also a professor of biomedical engineering, with affiliate appointments in numerous disciplines. Her remarkable contributions have been important in describing the interactions between spine implant materials, surfaces and bone physiology. She is renowned for her work on the interaction of osteoblast lineage cells with biomaterials used in spine for interbody fusions, including bone graft substitutes and metal cages. She has been instrumental in helping surgeons understand the underlying concepts in bone biology that are involved in this interaction and how different materials, particularly their surface properties, impact osteogenesis during the fusion process.
  
  David Selby Award: Michael R. Klein, Jr., MD, FACS
  To recognize contributions to the art and science of spinal disorder management through service to NASS but has not been elected NASS President.
  
  Michael R. Klein, Jr., MD, FACS, is an 11-year member of NASS, and a Clinical Professor at the University of California–Davis’ Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He is very committed to fostering the educational mission of NASS, and has acted as moderator for SpinePAC symposia at the 2016 and 2017 Annual Meetings. As co-chair of the SpinePAC Advisory Committee, Dr. Klein stresses that NASS requires funding to continue to maintain a voice in Washington for our membership. With plans to continue, he has co-hosted five SpinePAC fundraising. SpinePAC had its most successful fundraising year in 2018, in no small part due to Dr. Klein’s efforts.
  
  Leon Wiltse Award: Richard D. Guyer, MD
  To recognize excellence in leadership and/or clinical research in spine care.
  
  Richard D. Guyer, MD, is a 34-year member of NASS and served as the 2006-2007 NASS President. He has served on a number of NASS committees and continues to be active with the society. He currently serves on The Spine Journal, volunteered with the former Motion Preservation Section, hosted Chinese spine surgeons as part of the NASS CAOS Spine Fellows Program, and participates in NASS’ International Education Programs. Outside of his work with NASS, he cofounded the Texas Back Institute (TBI) in 1982, one of the preeminent practices in spine globally. He is the founder and chairman of the TBI Research Foundation. As director of the TBI Spine Fellowship since 1986, he has trained more than 125 domestic and 100 international fellows.
  
  Spine Advocacy Award: Jeffrey C. Wang, MD
  To recognize members of the North American Spine Society who have made exceptional contributions to the federal advocacy efforts on behalf of patients and members of the society.
  
  Jeffrey C. Wang, MD, earned his medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. In 1997, he joined the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA as Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, was later also appointed Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, and became Associate Professor in both disciplines in 2003. He became Vice Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and served as the spine fellowship director. In 2013, he moved to the University of Southern California Spine Center. He is currently a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery at the Keck Medical Center at USC, Co-Director of the USC Spine Center and Director of the USC Spine Fellowship. During his tenure as NASS President, NASS Advocacy efforts reached new heights for fundraising and outreach, thanks in large part to Dr. Wang’s efforts and leadership.
  
  NASS is a multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, evidenced-based and ethical spine care by promoting education, research and advocacy. NASS is comprised of more than 8,500 members from several disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, neurology, radiology, anesthesiology, research and physical therapy. For more information, visit www.spine.org, NASS’ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn channels.
  
  

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• SpineLine Announces Third ’20 Under 40’ Class (Oct 05, 2020)
  

  
  
  
  

  SpineLine Announces Third ’20 Under 40’ Class

  
  
  

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  October 6, 2020

  CONTACT: Jeff Karzen
  (630) 230-3641 or jkarzen@spine.org

  
  CHICAGO – During the 35th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society (NASS), SpineLine announced its third class of “20 Under 40” honorees. SpineLine is NASS’ membership publication featuring content on medical, ethical and policy topics in the fields of spine and health care.
  
  “It’s exciting and encouraging to see such a diverse group of winners this year,” said F. Todd Wetzel, MD, SpineLine’s Editor in Chief. “We had a tremendous group of nominees and it shows the field of spine care is in great hands with all this young talent.”
  
  In their “20 Under 40” nominations, applicants described factors that led them to spine care and named mentors who helped along the way. Nominees also shared what they are most proud of in their career thus far, their philosophy of care and how they contribute to their communities.
  
  To view profiles on all 20 winners, visit here.
  
  Here are the 2020 “20 Under 40” honorees as selected by the SpineLine editorial board:
  
  

  • Owoicho Adogwa, MD, Neurosurgeon, Dallas, TX
  • David Cheng, MD, Physiatrist, Los Angeles, CA
  • Brian Coleman, DC, Chiropractor, West Haven, CT
  • Nicolas Dea, MD, Neurosurgeon, Vancouver, Canada
  • Peter Derman, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, Plano, TX
  • Bassel Diebo, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, Brooklyn, NY
  • Heidi Hullinger, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, Summit, NJ
  • Lloydine Jacobs, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, Linden, NJ
  • Deeptee Jain, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, St. Louis, MO
  • Daniel Kang, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, Tacoma, WA
  • David Kaye, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, Philadelphia, PA
  • Elizabeth Lord, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, Santa Monica,
  • Emily Putney, DO, Orthopedic surgeon, Port St. Lucie, FL
  • Tina Raman, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, New York, NY
  • Danielle Sarno, MD, Physiatrist, Chestnut Hill, MA
  • Venita Simpson, MD, Neurosurgeon, Portsmouth, VA
  • Khoi Than, MD, Neurosurgeon, Durham, NC
  • Andrew Trontis, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, Los Angeles, CA
  • Antonio Webb, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, Plano, TX
  • Barrett Woods, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, Egg Harbor Township, NJ

  
  SpineLine will accept nominations for the 2021 class of “20 Under 40” from January 1 through March 1, 2021. Winners will be profiled in SpineLine and recognized at the 2021 Annual Meeting in Boston.
  
  NASS is a multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, evidenced-based and ethical spine care by promoting education, research and advocacy. NASS is comprised of more than 8,500 members from several disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, neurology, radiology, anesthesiology, research and physical therapy. For more information, visit www.spine.org, NASS’ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn channels.
  
  
  

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• The Spine Journal and NASS Announce 2020 Outstanding Paper Awards (Oct 05, 2020)
  

  
  
   

  The Spine Journal and NASS Announce 2020 Outstanding Paper Awards

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  October 6, 2020

  CONTACT: Jeff Karzen
  (630) 230-3641 or jkarzen@spine.org

  
  CHICAGO – The Spine Journal and the North American Spine Society (NASS) announced three winners of the 2020 Outstanding Paper Awards at the society’s 35th annual meeting. These awards recognize excellence in unpublished research in spine care. Winning manuscripts receive a $10,000 prize and will be published in The Spine Journal. Their presentations are included in an OnDemand session titled: The Spine Journal Outstanding Paper Awards moderated by TSJ editor in chief Christopher Bono, MD.
  
  Award Winners/Presenters:
  
  Outstanding Paper: Basic Science
  Uncovering molecular targets for regenerative therapy in degenerative disc disease: do small leucine-rich proteoglycans hold the key?
  Shanmuganathan Rajasekaran, PhD; Dilip Chand Raja, MS; Chitraa Tangavel, PhD; Sharon Miracle Nayagam, MSc; Vijay Anand, MS; R. Sunmathi, MTech; Monica Steffi Matchado, MTech; M. Raveendran, PhD; Ajoy Prasad Shetty, MS; Rishi Mugesh Kanna, MS; K. Dharmalingam, PhD
  
  Outstanding Paper: Clinical Care
  Vertebral bone quality score predicts fragility fractures independently of bone mineral density
  Jeff Ehresman BS; Andrew Schilling AB; Xinghai Yang MD; Zach Pennington BS; A. Karim Ahmed BS; Ethan Cottrill BS; Daniel Lubelski MD; Majid Khan MD; Kendall F. Moseley, MD; Daniel M. Sciubba, MD
  
  Outstanding Paper: Clinical Care
  Prospective validation of a clinical prediction score for survival in patients with spinal metastases: The New England Spinal Metastasis Score
  Andrew J. Schoenfeld, MD; Marco L. Ferrone, MD; Joseph H. Schwab, MD, MS; Justin A. Blucher, MS; Lauren B. Barton, BS; Daniel G. Tobert; John H. Chi, MD, MPH; John H. Shin, MD; James D. Kang, MD; Mitchel B. Harris, MD
  
  The Spine Journal is an international, multidisciplinary journal that publishes original, peer-reviewed articles on research and treatment related to the spine and spine care, including basic science and clinical investigations. The Spine Journal is the highest impact and largest circulation peer-reviewed spine publication in the world. Published online continuously and printed monthly by Elsevier, Inc., The Spine Journal is the scientific publication of the North American Spine Society. NASS adheres to a policy of editorial independence for the journal’s editorial board, which follows guidelines of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, Committee on Publication Ethics and other best editorial practices.
  
  NASS is a multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, evidenced-based and ethical spine care by promoting education, research and advocacy. NASS is comprised of more than 8,500 members from several disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, neurology, radiology, anesthesiology, research and physical therapy. For more information, visit www.spine.org, NASS’ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn channels.
   

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• NASS Announces $149,910 in Research Grants and Traveling Fellowships (Oct 05, 2020)
  

  
  
  

  NASS Announces $149,910 in Research Grants and Traveling Fellowships

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  October 6, 2020

  CONTACT: Jeff Karzen
  (630) 230-3641 or jkarzen@spine.org

  
  CHICAGO – During its 35th Annual Meeting, the North American Spine Society (NASS) announced the winners of its 2020 Research Grants and Traveling Fellowships. These grants provide funding for promising projects by qualified investigators in the spine care field.
  
  Since 1989, NASS has funded more than $4 million in grants for spine-related research. NASS Research Traveling Fellowships span at least five months at one medical center other than the facility at which the applicant currently practices. Clinical Traveling Fellowships span at least one month spent in three to five different medical centers studying spine techniques.
  
  A total of $149,910 was awarded to this year’s recipients based on scientific merit, significance of the project, approach and feasibility. Winners were selected by the NASS Research Project Management Committee and Research Council, and approved by the NASS Executive Committee.
   

  The 2020 Research Grant award winners are:

   

  • Grant (Basic): Development of a Clinically-Relevant Large Animal Model of Intervertebral Disc Disease
    Principal Investigator: Jeremiah T. Easley, DVM
    Amount: $51,644
  
  
  • Grant (Young Investigator-Clinical): Quantitative Tractography of Spinal Cord White Matter Pathways to Assess Severity of Clinical Presentation in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
    Principal Investigator: Nima Alan, MD
    Amount: $39,850
  
  
  • Grant (Basic): Mitochondrial-Targeted Protection Following Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury with Noninvasive Technology
    Principal Investigator: Moh H. Malek, PhD
    Amount: $36,915
  
  
  • Clinical Traveling Fellowship:
    Mohamed Rasheed A. Nihaj, MBBS, MD
    (Duke University Medical Center; Emory University School of Medicine; Boston Medical Center)
    Amount: $7,451
  
  
  • Research Traveling Fellowship:
    Piyush Kalakoti, MD
    (University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics)
    Amount: $7,050
  
  
  • Research Traveling Fellowship:
    Luca Ambrosio, MD
    (Tokai University School of Medicine, Japan)
    Amount: $7,000

  
  NASS is a multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, evidenced-based and ethical spine care by promoting education, research and advocacy. NASS is comprised of more than 8,500 members from several disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, neurology, radiology, anesthesiology, research and physical therapy. For more information, visit www.spine.org, NASS’ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn channels.
   

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