The Spine Advocacy Award was developed in 2025 to recognize members of NASS who have made exceptional contributions to the federal advocacy efforts on behalf of patients and members of the Society. In 2024, the Spine Advocacy Award will be bestowed upon Philip Schneider, MD.

Dr. Schneider has been a NASS member for 33 years, and served as Advocacy Council Chair since 2018. He has also served on NASS’ Board of Directors and numerous committees. He is a past president of the National Association of Spine Specialists.

“Phil has worked as a tireless advocate for us as spine professionals in his work as recent Advocacy Council Chair,” said Heidi Hullinger, MD, chair of NASS’ Legislative Sub-Committee. “His enthusiasm for advocacy work is infectious, helping motivate others to be more involved. During a time of significant change at NASS as the organizational structure became more streamlined, he has worked to ensure that advocacy continues to be relevant within the NASS organization. He has spent countless hours meeting with legislators and also conveying any relevant information about health care policies back to NASS members.”

Dr. Schneider is an orthopedic surgeon in Chevy Chase, MD. He assists the federal government with spine care in the US by serving as Co-Chair of Medicare's Expert Panel on spine fusions and has served in the AMA House of Delegates. He is also the founder and Director of the Holy Cross Hospital Spine Center, the first accredited Spine Center of Excellence in the Washington D.C. area. He has also served as the Chief of Staff of Holy Cross Hospital and served on the Board of Trustees.