NASS News: President’s Symposium Added to 2024 Annual Meeting Agenda

North American Spine Society Annual Meeting organizers have added a new item to this year’s agenda—a special President’s Symposium featuring a panel discussion on pressing healthcare issues.

Symposium participants will include surgeons, industry leaders, and representatives from key federal agencies. The event aims to help medical professionals understand strategic goals and programs that can better serve spine research needs, improve reimbursement systems, and improve outcomes for spine patients.
 
“The current post-pandemic healthcare landscape has changed dramatically, with shifts in consumer behavior and significant challenges in the healthcare ecosystem requiring key stakeholders to address the growing demand for affordable, accessible and high-quality care,” NASS President  Dr. Zoher Ghogawala said. “This symposium will bring together leaders in healthcare and spine to present current resources and programs available to address these challenges, as well as ongoing efforts to collaborate for a shared vision for the future that embraces emerging technologies and innovation for an ever-evolving healthcare system.”
 
Participants:

• Zoher Ghogawala, M.D., NASS president and chairman of Neurosurgery at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center
• Daniel K. Resnick, M.D., NASS past president and vice chairman of Neurosurgery at the University of Wisconsin
• Laura L. Sessums, J.D., M.D., chief medical officer, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 
• Michael S. Lauer, M.D., deputy director for Extramural Research, National Institutes of Health 
• William Curry, M.D., chief medical officer, Mass General Hospital/ Massachusetts Eye and Ear
• Nakela Cook, M.D., executive director of Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute 
• Lee Fleisher, M.D., former chief medical officer and director of the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
• Anthony Asher, M.D., past president, American Association of Neurological Surgeons; president, Neuroscience Institute Atrium Health
• Rita Roy, M.D., CEO, National Spine Health Foundation 
• David W. Polly Jr., M.D., James W. Ogilvie Professor and chief of Spine Surgery, University of Minnesota
• Michael Wang, M.D., University of Miami, Department of Neurosurgery, ISASS president  SMISS president-elect
• Serena Hu, M.D., Stanford University School of Medicine, past president of the Scoliosis Research Society 

The President’s Symposium will take place on Sept. 26 as part of the Presidential Assembly from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., with additional details and updates posted in the official meeting program. 

In addition to the President’s Symposium, NASS 2024 will address the latest research, as well as issues and trends in spine through podium presentations, Best Papers and ePosters. Other meeting highlights include an International Symposia with international strategic partners, a Section on Interventional Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine (ISMM), Resident/Fellow Education Pathways, roundtable discussions for early-career spine professionals, Women in Spine luncheon sessions, a Section on Innovation Spine Research, and novel technologies sessions.
 
Attendees can get hands-on at the world’s largest spine technical exhibition and experience the latest innovations from industry. Watch top surgeons demonstrate procedures and new technologies at the popular Surgical Stadium. And, there will be ample opportunities to network and collaborate with colleagues.
 
NASS 2024 is being held Sept. 25-28 at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. 
 
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 nearly 8,000 members from several disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, radiology, anesthesiology, research and physical therapy.