North American Spine Society10.04.21
The North American Spine Society (NASS) has announced the winners of its 2021 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 NASS founding members who made significant contributions to the organization's early success. Two additional awards—The Past President's Award and Spine Advocacy Award—recognize contributions made by a former NASS president and an advocate who contributes to federal advocacy efforts, respectively.
This year's winners are:
Henry Farfan Award: To recognize outstanding contributions in spine-related basic science research.
Dr. Smuck is a 16-year NASS member and a professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Stanford University, where he serves as the chief of PM&R. His research has focused on two fronts: improving outcomes and influencing national treatment trends for people with lower back pain; and defining methods to objectively quantify alterations in real-life physical performance using wearable technology. To aid in studying wearable technology's applications for monitoring, treating, and preventing disability from musculoskeletal disease, Smuck founded and now directs the Stanford University Wearable Health Lab. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, won research awards from NASS/The Spine Journal, PM&R, ISSLS, and AAPM&R.
David Selby Award: To recognize contributions to the art and science of spinal disorder management through service to NASS but has not been elected NASS president.
Dr. Ohnmeiss is a 27-year NASS member. She is a researcher and serves as president of Texas Back Institute Research Foundation. She has been involved with NASS since first submitting abstracts to the conference in 1987 and has attended every NASS Annual Meeting since 1989. Dr. Ohnmeiss has served in more than 30 committee, section, and leadership roles across the organization and is presently a member of the SpineLine editorial board, TSJ peer reviewer, NASSJ editorial board, and Compendium of Outcome Instruments task force. Dr. Ohnmeiss' goals for the organization include developing a volunteer/Ph.D. engagement task force.
Leon Wiltse Award: To recognize excellence in leadership and/or clinical research in spine care.
Dr. Phillips is a 24-year NASS member, director of spine surgery at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ronald DeWald Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, co-director Spine Fellowship, and head of the Section of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Rush University Medical Center, as well as past medical director of the Spine Center at the University of Chicago. Phillips and his team have been active contributors to NASS' annual presentations of clinical research in spine care. He has authored more than 300 clinical papers. He has won or been nominated for numerous Best Paper awards from NASS and has served on several NASS committees, including Research, Spine Advocates, Section on Biologics and Minimally Invasive Procedures, and Secion on Spinal Access Surgeons.
Past President Award: To recognize a past president of NASS who has made exceptional contributions to the society and its mission following his/her presidency.
Dr. Przybylski is a 22-year NASS member and the 2010-2011 NASS past president. He is a past chair of the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute, and medical director for Cigna Health Insurance. Since ending his NASS presidential term, he has continued his involvement and support with NASS and its mission. He stays involved by helping NASS' Coding Committee. As previous chair of this committee, along with his experience at the RUC and with health policy, he has proven to be a valuable instructor at these courses. He has been supportive and involved with NASS advocacy efforts.
Spine Advocacy Award: To recognize NASS members who have made exceptional contributions to the federal advocacy efforts on behalf of patients and society members.
Dr. Gantwerker is a 15-year NASS member and a neurosurgeon working at the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles in Santa Monica, Calif. Since joining NASS in 2006, he has been actively involved in a member role on the Advocacy Council, Legislative Committee, Political Engagement Committee, and serves as a moderator/representative at many of NASS' advocacy events. Gantwerker specializes in the treatment of degenerative and traumatic diseases of the spine through minimally invasive techniques, spinal cord, and brain injury. He also treats many patients for concussion and its aftereffects and educates on its prevention. Gantwerker has authored several book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles, provided expert television and radio interviews, and has instructed undergraduate, medical students, and residents in various neurosurgical topics and neuroanatomy.
This year's winners are:
- Henry Farfan Award: Matthew Smuck, M.D.
- David Selby Award: Donna D. Ohnmeiss, Ph.D.
- Leon Wiltse Award: Frank M. Phillips, M.D.
- Past President Award: Gregory J. Przybylski, M.D.
- Spine Advocacy Award: Brian R. Gantwerker, M.D., FAANS, FACS
Henry Farfan Award: To recognize outstanding contributions in spine-related basic science research.
Dr. Smuck is a 16-year NASS member and a professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Stanford University, where he serves as the chief of PM&R. His research has focused on two fronts: improving outcomes and influencing national treatment trends for people with lower back pain; and defining methods to objectively quantify alterations in real-life physical performance using wearable technology. To aid in studying wearable technology's applications for monitoring, treating, and preventing disability from musculoskeletal disease, Smuck founded and now directs the Stanford University Wearable Health Lab. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, won research awards from NASS/The Spine Journal, PM&R, ISSLS, and AAPM&R.
David Selby Award: To recognize contributions to the art and science of spinal disorder management through service to NASS but has not been elected NASS president.
Dr. Ohnmeiss is a 27-year NASS member. She is a researcher and serves as president of Texas Back Institute Research Foundation. She has been involved with NASS since first submitting abstracts to the conference in 1987 and has attended every NASS Annual Meeting since 1989. Dr. Ohnmeiss has served in more than 30 committee, section, and leadership roles across the organization and is presently a member of the SpineLine editorial board, TSJ peer reviewer, NASSJ editorial board, and Compendium of Outcome Instruments task force. Dr. Ohnmeiss' goals for the organization include developing a volunteer/Ph.D. engagement task force.
Leon Wiltse Award: To recognize excellence in leadership and/or clinical research in spine care.
Dr. Phillips is a 24-year NASS member, director of spine surgery at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ronald DeWald Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, co-director Spine Fellowship, and head of the Section of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Rush University Medical Center, as well as past medical director of the Spine Center at the University of Chicago. Phillips and his team have been active contributors to NASS' annual presentations of clinical research in spine care. He has authored more than 300 clinical papers. He has won or been nominated for numerous Best Paper awards from NASS and has served on several NASS committees, including Research, Spine Advocates, Section on Biologics and Minimally Invasive Procedures, and Secion on Spinal Access Surgeons.
Past President Award: To recognize a past president of NASS who has made exceptional contributions to the society and its mission following his/her presidency.
Dr. Przybylski is a 22-year NASS member and the 2010-2011 NASS past president. He is a past chair of the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute, and medical director for Cigna Health Insurance. Since ending his NASS presidential term, he has continued his involvement and support with NASS and its mission. He stays involved by helping NASS' Coding Committee. As previous chair of this committee, along with his experience at the RUC and with health policy, he has proven to be a valuable instructor at these courses. He has been supportive and involved with NASS advocacy efforts.
Spine Advocacy Award: To recognize NASS members who have made exceptional contributions to the federal advocacy efforts on behalf of patients and society members.
Dr. Gantwerker is a 15-year NASS member and a neurosurgeon working at the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles in Santa Monica, Calif. Since joining NASS in 2006, he has been actively involved in a member role on the Advocacy Council, Legislative Committee, Political Engagement Committee, and serves as a moderator/representative at many of NASS' advocacy events. Gantwerker specializes in the treatment of degenerative and traumatic diseases of the spine through minimally invasive techniques, spinal cord, and brain injury. He also treats many patients for concussion and its aftereffects and educates on its prevention. Gantwerker has authored several book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles, provided expert television and radio interviews, and has instructed undergraduate, medical students, and residents in various neurosurgical topics and neuroanatomy.