NASS News: Texas Spine Surgeon is Named New President

Eeric Truumees, M.D., 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. 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., Dr. Truumees earned his bachelor of arts degree in biology and religious studies from the University of Virginia and earned 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, M.D., 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.