Distinguished Fellow of the North American Spine Society

What is DFNS?

The Distinguished Fellow of the North American Spine Society (DFNS) designation honors members who have made meaningful, sustained contributions to the Society and the field of spine care. It’s a mark of distinction for those who consider NASS their professional home.

Why Become a Distinguished Fellow?

DFNS status isn’t just a title, it’s a symbol of leadership, service, and connection. Distinguished Fellows receive:

Recognition at NASS Annual Meeting

Recognition and formal induction at the NASS Annual Meeting.

Membership Directory

Enhanced visibility in the NASS member directory.

The Spine Journal

Waived submission fees on a select number of The Spine Journal (TSJ) manuscript submissions.

DFNS Special Perks

Exclusive DFNS events, gifts, and networking.

Additional Savings and Benefits

No Fees. No Long Application.
Just Recognition You’ve Earned.

No cost to apply or maintain DFNS status
No CVs, no letters of recommendation
Simple application process tracked through NASS

Timeline

NASS Annual Meeting
- March 31

Application Period
April – Summer

Membership Committee & Board Review
Summer

Notifications Sent
NASS Annual Meeting

DFNS Induction

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify members must achieve each of the following 4 items. A ✔ will appear next to each item if, according to NASS records you have met this requirement; an ✖ will appear next to the item you have not yet met this requirement If you believe this information is incorrect, you may apply providing an explanation of how you have met the criteria.

1. Terminal Degree
Reached the terminal stage in their career (attestation at the time of application)

2. NASS Membership ✔
Have 5+ years of paid NASS membership

3. Conference Attendance ✔
Attend at least two NASS conferences in the past 5 years

4. Service Requirement ✔
Completion of at least one of the requirements listed below:

Service Requirement Opportunities

NASS Committees ✔
Served on a NASS committee, section or task force for 2 of the past 3 years
Abstract Review ✔
Served as a NASS conference abstract reviewer in the past 2 years

Presentations ✔
Served as a speaker or presenter at a NASS event in the past 5 years
Journal Review ✔
Completed at least 4 reviews in the past 2 years for The Spine Journal (TSJ) or NASSJ

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Frequently Asked Questions

Application Process

There is no cost to apply for DFNS status.

The majority of the requirements are tracked by NASS. If you’ve met these requirements, your NASS MyAccount will reflect this eligibility. If you believe you’ve met the requirements, but your NASS MyAccount does not reflect this, you may still apply, providing an explanation of why/how you believe you’ve met the requirements in your application.

No, the personal statement is optional. However, it gives you an opportunity to highlight your contributions to NASS and the spine community, which may strengthen your application.

All NASS members are eligible for Fellow status. However, In-training members are unlikely to be eligible due to their unpaid membership (see paid membership requirements below).

No. All applications will be considered.

No, but attendance is highly recommended, will count toward your meeting requirements to maintain your Fellow status, and is when you will receive your formal certificate and Fellow rosette.

No, your NASS dues are not affected by your Fellow status. In the future, NASS may add additional benefits to being a Fellow (including possible dues adjustments/benefits), but the current program does not affect your dues.

Following the March 31 deadline, the Membership Committee will review all applications submitted in the past year to ensure the applicants meet the qualifications for Fellow status. Eligible applicants will then be sent to the Board of Directors for formal approval during their Summer Board of Directors meeting.

Notifications of Fellow status will be sent within a few weeks of the Summer NASS Board of Directors meeting (typically held in June).

Eligibility Requirements

A terminal degree is the highest academic degree available in a particular field of study. In the context of the DFNS designation, a terminal degree refers to the degree that qualifies someone for independent clinical practice or academic leadership in their profession—for example:

Medicine/Surgery: MD or DO (or international equivalent)

Chiropractic: DC

Physical Therapy: DPT

Nursing: DNP

Research/Academia: PhD

In-training membership does not qualify as this category is complementary. Emeritus membership qualifies in 2025 and after when the $50 dues were added.

NASS conferences include the Annual Meeting, Spine Across the Sea meeting, Evidence & Technology Spine Summitt, and International Meeting.

Volunteer service includes committee, section or task force participation.

No, scientific presentations such as posters, ePosters, and abstract podium presentations at NASS meetings do not count toward the presentation requirement. You must be considered “faculty” for this requirement.

To maintain fellow status after initial acceptance, a member must:

Maintain paid membership in good standing

Attend at least 2 “NASS conferences every 3 years

Provide service to NASS in one or more of the following “pillars”

Active committee volunteer in the past 6 years

TSJ or NASSJ reviewer with at least 4 reviews in the past 2 years

Abstract reviewer in the past 6 years

Speaker or presenter at NASS event at least 1 time in the past 6 years

NASS will ensure all Fellows continue to meet the requirements for maintained status. In the case when a member no longer meets the requirements, they will be notified and given one year to become compliant. Fellow status may be revoked at any time by the NASS Board of Directors, by recommendation of the Membership Committee.

Benefits

Yes. You may use the DFNS designation after your name in professional settings to highlight your recognition by NASS.

Updates will be made to NASS directories annually following the NASS Annual Meeting to reflect current Fellow status.

We’re currently working on the logistics of how Fellows will be provided with their complementary submissions; more information will be given directly to Fellows after they’ve been inducted.

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Distinguished Fellow of the North American Spine Society (DFNS)

Recognizing Leaders. Inspiring Engagement.

What is DFNS?

The Distinguished Fellow of the North American Spine Society (DFNS) designation honors members who have made meaningful, sustained contributions to the Society and the field of spine care. It’s a mark of distinction for those who consider NASS their professional home.

Why Become a Distinguished Fellow?

DFNS status isn’t just a title, it’s a symbol of leadership, service, and connection. Distinguished Fellows receive:

Recognition at NASS Annual Meeting

Membership Directory

The Spine Journal

DFNS Special Perks

Additional Savings and Benefits

No Fees. No Long Application.Just Recognition You’ve Earned.

No cost to apply or maintain DFNS status No CVs, no letters of recommendation Simple application process tracked through NASS

Timeline

Application Period

Membership Committee & Board Review

Notifications Sent

DFNS Induction

Eligibility Requirements

1. Terminal Degree

2. NASS Membership ✔

3. Conference Attendance ✔

4. Service Requirement ✔

Service Requirement Opportunities

NASS Committees ✔

Abstract Review ✔

Presentations ✔

Journal Review ✔

You are currently fellow-eligible!

According to NASS records, you do not yet meet the qualifications for fellow status. If you feel this is incorrect, please contact NASS or apply providing an explanation of how you have met the criteria.

Join the Inaugural Class

You’ve given your time, energy, and expertise to NASS—now it’s time to be recognized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Process

What is the cost to apply?

There is no cost to apply for DFNS status.

How can I tell if I’ve met the application requirements?

Is the personal statement required?

No, the personal statement is optional. However, it gives you an opportunity to highlight your contributions to NASS and the spine community, which may strengthen your application.

Are members of any category of membership allowed to apply?

All NASS members are eligible for Fellow status. However, In-training members are unlikely to be eligible due to their unpaid membership (see paid membership requirements below).

Is there a limit to the number of Fellows to be inducted each year?

No. All applications will be considered.

Do I need to attend the convocation ceremony to become a Fellow?

No, but attendance is highly recommended, will count toward your meeting requirements to maintain your Fellow status, and is when you will receive your formal certificate and Fellow rosette.

Once I become a Fellow, will my NASS dues increase or decrease?

No, your NASS dues are not affected by your Fellow status. In the future, NASS may add additional benefits to being a Fellow (including possible dues adjustments/benefits), but the current program does not affect your dues.

How are Fellow applications reviewed/approved?

When will I be notified of my application status?

Notifications of Fellow status will be sent within a few weeks of the Summer NASS Board of Directors meeting (typically held in June).

Eligibility Requirements

What is a “terminal degree”?

Do In-training and Emeritus membership qualify toward the membership requirements?

In-training membership does not qualify as this category is complementary. Emeritus membership qualifies in 2025 and after when the $50 dues were added.

What qualifies as a NASS conference?

NASS conferences include the Annual Meeting, Spine Across the Sea meeting, Evidence & Technology Spine Summitt, and International Meeting.

What qualifies as volunteer service?

Volunteer service includes committee, section or task force participation.

Do poster presentations or ePoster submissions count as “presentations”?

No, scientific presentations such as posters, ePosters, and abstract podium presentations at NASS meetings do not count toward the presentation requirement. You must be considered “faculty” for this requirement.

What is required to maintain status after I’ve initially received my DFNS?

If I do not maintain my status as a Fellow, what happens?

Benefits

Will DFNS letters appear after my name (e.g., Jane Smith, MD, DFNS)?

Yes. You may use the DFNS designation after your name in professional settings to highlight your recognition by NASS.

When will my enhanced directory/Find-a-Specialist listing go live?

Updates will be made to NASS directories annually following the NASS Annual Meeting to reflect current Fellow status.

How will I receive my free The Spine Journal (TSJ) manuscript submissions?

We’re currently working on the logistics of how Fellows will be provided with their complementary submissions; more information will be given directly to Fellows after they’ve been inducted.

Does Fellow status provide greater chances for involvement with NASS (abstract acceptance, speaker invitations, committee /leadership appointments, etc)?

No. However, Fellow status does demonstrate your involvement with NASS, informally illustrating your commitment to the Society

No Fees. No Long Application.
Just Recognition You’ve Earned.

No cost to apply or maintain DFNS status
No CVs, no letters of recommendation
Simple application process tracked through NASS