NASS Recognition Awards: Honoring Leaders in Spine Care
Each year, NASS honors individuals whose leadership, research, advocacy, and service have made an indelible impact on spine care. These prestigious awards recognize members who exemplify the society’s mission to foster the highest quality, evidence-based and ethical spine care through education, research, and advocacy. This year’s honorees represent a remarkable breadth of contributions from advancing groundbreaking clinical research and biomechanical understanding, to mentoring future leaders, shaping policy, and strengthening the international spine community.
Leon Wiltse Award: Michael Steinmetz, MD
To recognize excellence in leadership and/or clinical research in spine care.
Dr. Michael Steinmetz has been a NASS member since 2003. He is an academic spine surgeon and is the William and Amanda Madar Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. He is also the Director of the Center for Spine Health in the Neurologic Institute. “Dr. Steinmetz is an exceptional leader of one of the largest clinical outcomes research groups in the country and consistently is a caring, thoughtful, and extremely skilled mentor,” said Seth Meade, MD. “He mentors hundreds of trainees from residents and fellows to medical students and undergraduates. His dedication to advancing spine research is unparalleled nationally, and he’s a role model both in and out of the OR and the lab. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.” Dr. Steinmetz, a neurosurgeon, has participated in numerous NASS committees over the years, and has served as Annual Meeting Program Co-Chair twice. He also is a deputy editor of The Spine Journal. He was recently named director of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Steinmetz is dedicated to training the future generation of physicians. The department of neurosurgery at Cleveland Clinic graduates four residents/year, while the surgical spine fellowship graduates six and medical spine fellowship five. All have gone on to promising careers, many in academic positions throughout the country.
Nominated by: Seth Meade, MD, MS
Henry Farfan Award: Virginie Lafage, PhD
To recognize outstanding contributions in spine-related basic science research.
Dr. Virginie Lafage has been a NASS member since 2009. After obtaining her mechanical engineering degree in France, Dr. Lafage pursued a PhD in Biomechanics with a focus on finite element analysis and biomechanical simulations for scoliosis surgery. Her journey led to extensive clinical training in spine surgery under the mentorship of Jean Dubousset, MD, and Frank Schwab, MD, in Paris and New York respectively, with a specific focus on sagittal spinopelvic alignment, adult spinal deformity, cervical deformity, and soft tissue analysis. “Dr. Lafage has led the way in spinal deformity research for over two decades,” said Peter Passias, MD. “She has applied her unique background in mechanical engineering with her acquired knowledge of applied outcomes-based realignment concepts to help guide us in the treatment of complex spinal patients. Her consummate professionalism, attention to detail, and superior organization and communication skills set her apart as a leader that has expanded our understanding of spinal biomechanics and spinal realignment as well as the impact on patient outcomes. On a personal note, she has been a mentor to myself and several of my colleagues over the years in the creation of our own biomechanical and clinical research laboratory endeavors. She receives this honor as the result of her tremendous contributions to our field.” In her roles as a Director of Research at NYU, HSS, and now Lenox Hill Hospital, along with her involvement in the International Spine Study Group, Dr. Lafage has contributed to more than 650 peer-reviewed publications and participated in 1,200 podium presentations worldwide.
Nominated by: Peter Passias, MD
David Selby Award: David O’Brien, MD
To recognize contributions to the art and science of spinal disorder management through service to NASS but has not been elected NASS President.
Dr. David O’Brien has been a NASS member since 1997. A physiatrist at the Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC., he has served on numerous NASS committees, as well as positions on the NASS Board of Directors. Most recently, his NASS Board positions included Treasurer from 2018-2021 and Secretary from 2021-2024. Dr. O’Brien has served as course chair and faculty for dozens of courses in at least eight countries and has presented over 120 times nationally and internationally on back pain, sports injuries and health care policy. He is also the director of a NASS interventional spine and musculoskeletal fellowship. He received his medical degree at Indiana University, and completed residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Cincinnati and a fellowship at Portner Orthopaedic Rehabilitation in Hawaii. "Dave O'Brien has spent over two decades of unwavering service to NASS," said Karin Swartz, MD. "His work in AMA and CPT on behalf of NASS required endless hours, and goes largely unrecognized. This award helps to celebrate this among his many accomplishments. He is committed to his family, and in honor of them, his patients, and his community, he is working toward greater impact in continuing to fight against the drug overdose epidemic. He has been a great mentor to the benefit of many of us."
Nominated by: DJ Kennedy, MD; Scott Kreiner, MD; Byron Schneider, MD; Karin Swartz, MD
Spine Advocacy Award: Donna Lahey, RNFA
To recognize NASS members who have made exceptional contributions to the federal advocacy efforts on behalf of patients and members of the society.
Donna Lahey has been a NASS member since 1995. She is a registered nurse first assist with 35 years of experience specializing in spinal research and education. She is also the Spine Institute of Arizona’s Chief Executive Officer, where she has worked for over two decades, managing the institute while also assisting in surgery and with patient care in the office. Lahey has served on numerous NASS committees, and is the only non-MD/PhD/DO to ever serve on the NASS Board of Directors. “Donna Lahey passionately dedicates all of her energy to improving spine care,” said Zoher Ghogawala, MD, former NASS President. “Year over year, Donna produced countless items for the NASS Silent Auction Fundraiser at the Evidence & Technology Spine Summit. Her dedication and energy are both stimulating and infectious!” In 1995, Lahey was awarded with NASS’ David Selby Award for “contributions to the art and science of spinal disorder management.” During her involvement with NASS, Lahey developed a passion for advocacy, serving on the Advocacy Council from 2016 until its dissolution in 2023. She was co-chair of the SpinePAC Committee during that same time. She is currently a member of the new Advocacy Committee. Throughout the course of her involvement with advocacy, Lahey traveled to Washington, DC, attending the Alliance for Specialty Medicine fly-ins and NASS fly-ins almost yearly, meeting with Congressmen/women and Senators on Capitol Hill to promote and discuss spine care advocacy issues and to discuss the needs of spine care specialists.
Nominated by: NASS Nominating Committee
International Award: Hani Mhaidli, MD, PhD
To recognize International members of the North American Spine Society who have made outstanding contributions in basic science research, clinical research, or service to NASS.
Dr. Hani Mhaidli has been a NASS member since 1998. An orthopedic surgeon, he has served on NASS’ International Strategic Growth Committee, Section Development Committee, and co-chair of the Section on Spinal Deformity. Additionally, he is former president of the Spanish spine society, GEER, as well as former president of the federation of Latin American Spine Societies (SILACO). “Dr. Hani Mhaidli is an exemplary NASS member who consistently promotes our organization and its benefits throughout various regions of the world,” said Patrick Hsieh, MD. “Throughout the years, he has continued to promote the values that NASS education and our professional network have to offer to other international academic societies, the global spine community, and among rising academic leaders around the globe. Members like Dr. Mhaidli are the essential and fundamental elements that will further develop our NASS international community and professional network.” Aside from his work as an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mhaidli also has extensive teaching experience. In Spain, he lectured as an Associate Professor of Orthopedics at the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for 28 years. As part of the NASS international faculty, Dr. Mhaidli has organized educational courses and spine workshops in Ecuador (2022), Spain (2022), Mexico (2023), and Chile (2024), as well as a Colombia training cadaver workshop in CLEMI Lab, Bogota (2019). Additionally, Dr. Mhaidli has organized medical training missions, particularly in resource challenged areas. He served as chairman of the SRS global outreach program in Morocco, providing free surgery and medical training for African surgeons from 2010 to 2014. He also sponsored a scholarship for young African doctors to attend spine meetings in the US (SRS Fikry Scholarship) from 2012-2014
Nominated by: NASS International Strategic Growth Committee