Joel M. Press, MD, NASS to focus on Advocacy in 2006
LaGrange, IL – January 2006 - 2004-2005 NASS President Jean-Jacques Abitbol, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at The California Spine Group, passed the presidential torch over to Joel M. Press, MD, a physiatrist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, at NASS’ 20th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia this September.
Dr. Abitbol leaves his stewardship of the society with one of the most ambitions accomplishments NASS has see since its start in 1985 – The construction of the Spine Master’s Institute. The facility will bring spine education to a whole new level with World Wide Web casting capability, an in-house media center and state-of-the-art laboratories for hands-on courses and technique workshops. The Institute, located in Burr Ridge, IL, is slated to be ready by early spring and will serve as the new NASS headquarters.
Dr. Abitbol attributed the tremendous growth and ambitious attitude of the association to his predecessors but was sure to caution the new leadership on one particular issue on the horizon for 2006 – Advocacy. He challenged his successors to find ways to expand and build the society’s advocacy efforts in the areas of political activity, legal issues, ethics, public opinion, value of care and the economic impact.
Dr. Press is eager to take over the reigns as 2005-2006 President and has some visions of his own for the society. “The North American Spine Society serves a very unique position as a medical association. We are truly interdisciplinary in our focus. We will continue to advocate for our patients, provide the highest level of education for our members, and serve the needs of all patients with spinal disorders. Our board and staff are very excited about the many opportunities in front of us.”
Dr. Press is joined by First Vice President, Richard M. Guyer, MD of the Texas Back Institute in Plano and Second Vice President, Tom Faciszewski, MD of the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin.
ABOUT THE 20TH ANNUAL MEETING
| Exhibiting companies |
183 |
| Research paper presentations |
161 |
| Symposia |
8 |
DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN
| No Specialty Listed |
47.27% |
| Anesthedsiology |
10.40% |
| Basic/Applied Research |
2.42% |
| Chiropractic Care |
0.17% |
| Emergency Medicine |
0.03% |
| General/Family Practice |
0.10% |
| General & Vascular Surgery |
0.03% |
| Muskuloskeletal Oncology |
0.03% |
| Neuroradiology |
0.07% |
| Neurosurgery |
9.21% |
| Neurology |
0.07% |
| Orthopedic Surgery |
34.87% |
| Practice Administrators/Managers |
0.03% |
| Pediatrics |
0.03% |
| Pain Management/Medicine |
1.23% |
| Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation/Physiatry |
3.08% |
| Physical/Occupational Therapy |
0.27% |
| Psychiatry/Psychology |
0.17% |
| Radiology |
0.23% |
| Rheumatology |
0.07% |
| Sports Medicine |
0.20% |
| Trauma Surgery |
0.03% |
| Total Records |
3,017 |
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
The major research at this year’s meeting spanned both surgical and nonoperative topics. Papers were presented on new technologies such as the artificial disc, pain management and the positive effects of exercise for prevention and even treatment of spine conditions. For full releases on the “hot topics” of the meeting, visit the pressroom on the NASS Web site.
For additional information or to schedule an interview with a spine care expert, please contact NASS, or
call (630) 230-3600.
# # #
NASS is a multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, evidence-based, and ethical spine care by promoting education, research, and advocacy. Since its start in 1985, NASS has grown to nearly 4,000 members in 22 spine-related specialties. NASS members are MDs, DOs, and PhDs, including orthopedics, neurosurgery, physiatry, pain management, and other disciplines. Nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, chiropractors, physical therapists, practice administrators, and other allied health care professionals involved in spine care are also represented as affiliate members.
For further information, contact:
North American Spine Society
Toll-free: (866) 960-6277 Direct: (630) 230-3600
or
Kathleen Hansen
(630) 933-9477