This November, thousands of spine professionals will gather in Denver for the NASS 2025 Annual Meeting, an event that promises both world-class education and some unexpected surprises. Two of this year’s Program Chairs, Allen Chen, MD, MBA, MPH, and Brandon Lawrence, MD, share a vision for a meeting that is as innovative and collaborative as the field itself.
Allen Chen, MD, MBA, MPH
Brandon Lawrence, MD
“I’ve been involved with NASS for over a decade, and believe that the NASS Annual Meeting is one of the most high-impact educational programs of the year,” said Dr. Chen, an interventional physiatrist who previously co-chaired NASS 2019. “I was honored to be invited to be a Program Chair again in 2025.” For Dr. Lawrence, a complex spinal deformity surgeon, the opportunity was equally meaningful: “Serving as Program Chair is a chance to give back to a community that has been instrumental in my own development, and to help create an agenda that is forward-looking and globally relevant.”
Both chairs highlight the program’s interdisciplinary emphasis. Dr. Chen points to the “Aligning Spine Care: Fostering Collaboration Among Spine Care Providers to Deliver Comprehensive, High-Quality, and Evidence-Based Treatments Aligned with Patient-Centered Needs and Expertise” symposium on Friday, November 14, which will “bring together experts from across the care continuum and discuss the importance of integrated treatment pathways, shared decision making, and communication.” Dr. Lawrence echoes that spirit: “Collaboration was central — many symposia intentionally pair surgeons with radiologists, rehabilitation specialists, engineers, or policy experts to give a 360° view. This approach reflects real-world care, where outcomes improve when teams across specialties communicate and align.”
The Denver program also leans into innovation. “The General Session Symposium on ‘Technology and Challenges in Spine Care’ is a highlight,” said Dr. Lawrence. “It brings together robotics, endoscopy, biomechanics, and disc regeneration — truly a comprehensive look at where the field is heading.” Dr. Chen adds that rapidly evolving biologics and pharmaceuticals will take center stage in “Intervertebral Disc Therapies: VooDoo or the Future,” which he says will be “thought-provoking, educational, and a give some insight into potential therapies on the horizon.”
AI and digital health tools are threaded throughout. “From AI radiology reads to real-time AI dictation, we are already seeing technology changing our practices, regardless of specialty,” Dr. Chen said. “We have a technology-focused session on Friday, “Technology and Challenges in Spine Care,” that will touch upon spine innovation from concept to clinical adoption, and both AI and digital health will be weaved into many discussions.” Dr. Lawrence notes that in surgery, the conversation is shifting from gadgets to systems: “The rapid integration of AI, navigation, and robotics into spine surgery — not just as tools, but as systems that can reshape clinical decision-making — is one of the trends I hope attendees will walk away thinking more deeply about.”
Still, the meeting isn’t just about technology. For early-career specialists, the Early Career Advisory Council Luncheon offers practical conversations on career advancement and practice models. For surgeons, Dr. Lawrence highlights the symposium “Optimizing Surgical Approaches in Lumbar Spine Surgery: Comparing ALIF, OLIF, and TLIF Techniques” as “a dynamic, high-yield session that will provide practical, comparative insights applicable to daily practice.” And the Presidential Assembly remains a hallmark, with “forward-looking reflections and a Presidential Guest Speaker that will inspire the entire field.”
Of course, NASS 2025 will also surprise attendees in lighter ways. Dr. Chen hints at “novel and unique experiences in the exhibit hall,” from a pickleball court and mobile golf simulator to a Colorado Birds of Prey demonstration and Puppy Playtime. Dr. Lawrence points to wellness initiatives like the Zen Den, part of a program that is “integrated and interactive, encouraging collaboration across specialties rather than siloed learning.”
Both program chairs agree that the Annual Meeting is as much about connection as it is about content. “The true value of NASS is reconnecting with other like-minded people and colleagues who have become genuine lifelong friends,” said Dr. Chen. Dr. Lawrence adds that some of the best learning happens outside the lecture hall: “Don’t hesitate to engage faculty and colleagues — plan ahead, mix general sessions with hands-on labs, and you’ll leave with both knowledge and new connections.”
From technical debates to oxygen bars, from AI-enhanced imaging to Puppy Playtime, NASS 2025 offers a program designed to surprise, challenge, and inspire. As Dr. Lawrence put it: “I’m proud that the program reflects the full spectrum of spine care — surgical, nonsurgical, policy, research, and patient-centered innovation. It feels like a true global meeting, with international collaborations and perspectives woven throughout.”
Join us in Denver, November 14–16, for an unforgettable meeting.