NASS and ThinkFirst join forces to educate and advocate for healthy spines
LaGrange, IL – July 2005 - Representatives from the North American Spine Society (NASS) met July 13, 2005 with ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation CEO, Dorothy Zirkle, to discuss potential partnership opportunities for the two organizations.
ThinkFirst was founded in 1986 by neurosurgeons in an effort to decrease preventable accidental injury – the leading cause of childhood death and disability. Much like NASS’ mission, the Foundation advances injury prevention through education, research and policy urging people to “use your mind to protect your body.” ThinkFirst serves the public by conceiving, developing and distributing injury prevention education materials and supports public policy initiatives addressing injury prevention.
ThinkFirst initially approached NASS in 2003 and have been discussing joint efforts since, formalizing a partnership this morning. Prospective areas of cooperation include marketing and public relations, patient education and advocacy. Because ThinkFirst has a strong international presence, World Spine and SCRUBBS are important areas of involvement as well.
NASS and ThinkFirst plan to meet again in early August to begin strategic planning. ThinkFirst will have space reserved at NASS’ 20th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia and all are encouraged to stop by and get familiar with organization. Also, please visit their Web site at www.thinkfirst.org.
Although the groups are only in the preliminary stages of partnership, NASS staff is excited for the opportunity to work with this philanthropic organization and sees only good things to come. NASS Executive Director, Eric Muehlbauer, commented on the union: “It was a partnership we didn’t have to “think first” about – it was just a natural fit.”
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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