North American Spine Society10.07.20
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
To recognize outstanding contributions in spine related basic science research.
Boyan 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 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.
Klein 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.
Guyer 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 pre-eminent 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.
Wang 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.
- 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.
Boyan 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 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.
Klein 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.
Guyer 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 pre-eminent 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.
Wang 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.