NASS Announces 2023 Recognition Award Winners

The North American Spine Society (NASS) has announced the winners of its prestigious 2023 Recognition Awards. Honorees are nominated by their peers for their outstanding contributions to NASS and the field of spine care at large. Three of the awards are named in honor of founding members of NASS who made significant contributions to the organization’s early success, while one (the Spine Advocacy Award) recognizes contributions made by a physician who contributes to federal advocacy efforts.
 
The Henry Farfan Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions in spine-related basic science research, was bestowed upon Jamie Baisden, M.D., a 28-year NASS member. She has made extensive and under-recognized contributions to spine care science, teaching, and management. Baisden has served on multiple NASS committees over many years, and has helped develop several NASS Guidelines. Baisden is professor of neurosurgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and has contributed to more than 100 publications. As one of NASS’ top volunteers she has been involved in numerous other NASS activities.
 
Sigurd H. Berven, M.D., has received the David Selby Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions in spine-related basic science research. A NASS member since 2002, Berven has served on numerous NASS committees, and was a NASS 2022 program co-chair. Berven has a strong interest in the care of children and adults with spinal disorders. He has expertise in pediatric and adult deformities, degenerative conditions of the spine, spinal tumors and spinal trauma. In research, Berven is interested in the assessment of outcomes for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. 

The Leon Wiltse Award—recognizing excellence in leadership and/or clinical research in spine care—has been given to Behrooz Akbarnia, M.D., a 34-year NASS member. Akbarnia graduated from Tehran University Medical School in 1966 and continued training in orthopedic surgery in the United States. Akbarnia was professor and vice chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery at St. Louis University for 10 years before relocating to San Diego in 1990. There, he established his academic practice under San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders, created the San Diego Spine Fellowship Program, and founded both the San Diego Spine (SDSF) and the Growing Spine Foundations to support academic activities.
 
The Spine Advocacy Award recognizes NASS members who have made exceptional contributions to the federal advocacy efforts on behalf of patients and members of the society. This year’s recipient is Michael R. Klein, M.D., a NASS member for 14 years, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the founder of MRK Medical Consultants. He was the first medical director of Northern California Orthopedic Centers, now called Summit Orthopedics. He was involved in developing the orthopedic section of the Level II Trauma Center at Mercy San Juan Medical Center in Carmichael, Calif. He is a clinical professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of California, Davis Medical Center, where he has volunteered for the past 30 years.
 
NASS is a global multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, ethical, evidenced-based and value-based spine care by promoting education, research and advocacy. NASS is comprised of more than 8,000 members from several disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, neurology, radiology, anesthesiology, research and physical therapy.