The North American Spine Society is a leading provider of continuing medical education (CME) for spine specialists. NASS offers an ongoing full spectrum of courses throughout the year at numerous regional locations and at our Annual Meeting held every fall at a different North American travel destination.

The NASS Council on Education oversees the NASS education program. Dedicated physician experts serve on committees within the council and are directly involved in developing top-notch educational programming. These committees include the CME Committee, the Annual Meeting Program Committee, Resident & Fellow Education Committee, Spine Across the Sea Program Committee and Spring Break Program Committee. 

CME Mission Statement

NASS will provide a venue for the presentation of multidisciplinary information on research, techniques, current concepts and new technologies related to the care and treatment of the spine through balanced and unbiased educational programs in accordance with the ACCME elements and guidelines. These programs will address the diverse learning needs of the multidisciplinary membership which includes orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, physiatrists, physical therapists, rheumatologists, psychologists/psychiatrists, osteopathic physicians, anesthesiologists, radiologists, nurses, chiropractors, nurse practitioners, pain management specialists, physician assistants and researchers in their care of patients with spinal disorders and improve their ability to assess treatment options, analyze new findings, critique new scientific developments, evaluate the release of new technology and its effect on spine care, and manage the environment in which care is given. The program does this by providing didactic forums, interactive point-counterpoint debates utilizing audience response systems, hands-on cadaver and sawbones-based surgical technique workshops, meetings concentrating on new technologies and controversial issues in spine care, joint meetings with domestic and international societies and audio and video proceedings (CD-ROMS) of its meetings. Development of individual activities on the topic of spine treatment is through a series of needs assessments of the membership, educational program participants, other spine care providers in the field, and by environmental scan. NASS encourages any professional with an abiding interest in spine care, including physicians, other health care providers, medical researchers, and scientists from North America and abroad to participate in its activities. The overall education program is intended to improve professional development and enhance practice through implementation of new techniques, research, and concepts learned during an activity. Success of the program is verified when specific predetermined expectations match the actual results of evaluations and outcomes appropriate for each activity. Such verification of stipulated expectations and measurement tools takes place through careful review by the Continuing Medical Education Committee.

Accreditation

The North American Spine Society is accredited with commendation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  This esteemed commendation was awarded to only six percent of all organizations that applied for accreditation in the 2004 accreditation cycle.