From the Desk of the President
NASS: 40 Years of Members Helping Members
Scott Kreiner, MD
President, North American Spine Society Barrow Neurological Institute Phoenix, AZ
The original mission of NASS was straightforward yet profoundly impactful: to bring together multiple specialties to advance spine care. Central to this mission is the guiding principle of members supporting one another to become better practitioners. This philosophy has been the driving force behind all of NASS’ educational events, research initiatives, and advocacy efforts over the past four decades.
As a 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS), NASS is considered a charitable entity. This status is granted by the IRS for eleemosynary organizations that provide charitable services to people in need. As such, contributions to NASS often come with tax benefits for donors. This designation reflects NASS’ commitment to providing charitable services and supporting individuals in need. The term “eleemosynary,” derived from the Late Latin eleēmosynārius and Greek eleēmosýnē (meaning “act of kindness” or “alms”), perfectly encapsulates this mission of compassion, benevolence, and philanthropy.
A History Rooted in Collaboration and Generosity
Over the past 40 years, countless examples of members helping members have defined NASS’ legacy. It all began when pioneers such as Leon Wiltse, David Selby, William Kirkaldy-Willis, Richard Nasca, Casey Lee, Hansen Yuan, and others met at an AAOS meeting more than four decades ago. The idea of NASS was born, with the vision of creating an organization that embraced multiple specialties. Soon after, leaders like Scott Haldeman (neurology/chiropractic), Jeff and Joel Saal (physical medicine and rehabilitation), Charlie Ray and Volker Sonntag (neurosurgery), and others joined the NASS Board. Each brought unique perspectives to spine care, but they all shared a common trait: an extraordinary willingness to share their knowledge with others.
These trailblazers contributed through educational sessions, boardroom discussions, published writings, and countless one-on-one interactions. Every time a member shared their expertise, they embodied NASS’ eleemosynary purpose. This spirit of mutual support and generosity remains deeply ingrained in the organization’s culture today.
The Eleemosynary Spirit in Action
The essence of NASS’ mission can be seen in both small, everyday acts of kindness and larger initiatives. Anecdotes of members sharing personal items—a forgotten dress shirt or a sport coat—and providing assistance with clinical questions or medical-legal issues abound. These acts of camaraderie demonstrate the close-knit and supportive nature of the NASS community.
NASS has also extended its eleemosynary efforts globally. For instance, the organization once helped a member relocate after political turmoil in a foreign country. NASS has supported the establishment of similar medical societies, such as in South Africa, and operated programs like SCRUBBS (Spine Care Relief United Beyond Borders), which facilitated member trips to places like Malawi, Africa, to perform complex surgeries and train local health care professionals. Members continue to travel internationally to share their expertise and advance spine care in underserved regions.
A recent example highlights this enduring spirit, featured in the NASS Insider, "Help Requested: Girl in Uzbekistan with Challenging Spinal Conditions in Need of Surgical Strategy." Retired NASS member Keith D. Wilkey, MD, reached out to the society for assistance with an 11-year-old girl in Uzbekistan suffering from complex spinal conditions, including severe, life-threatening scoliosis with a curve exceeding 100°. Her family was told no spine surgeons in their country were capable of correcting her deformity. NASS members, true to their mission, stepped forward to explore ways to help this young girl. Stories like this illustrate how deeply the principle of helping others is embedded in NASS’ DNA.
Supporting a Member in Need
Today, NASS members have another opportunity to help one of their own: Allen Chen, MD, MBA, MPH, is an interventional PM&R physician at UCLA. Allen is a good friend of mine and serves several roles at NASS including Vice Chair of the Section on Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine and is a program chair for the upcoming Annual Meeting in Denver. Allen and his family recently experienced a devastating loss. His home and nearly all of his family’s possessions were destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire. Thankfully, Dr. Chen, his wife, their two children, and their dog escaped safely, but they lost everything, leaving with only three suitcases.
In response, a GoFundMe page has been established to support the Chen family: https://gofund.me/5839ebe9. While NASS’ legal team is exploring ways to organize fundraising efforts under the society’s tax-exempt status, members are encouraged to consider donating to help the Chen family rebuild their lives. If you know of other members impacted by the recent fires or other hardships, please let us know.
Celebrating 40 Years of Generosity
The past four decades have been marked by extraordinary examples of members helping members. As we celebrate NASS’ 40th anniversary, let us honor this legacy by continuing to support one another. Whether through shared knowledge, acts of kindness, or financial contributions, we can make a profound difference in the lives of our colleagues and the patients we serve. Let’s begin this milestone year with another powerful example of what makes NASS so special: the enduring spirit of community, generosity, and collaboration.