Each year, the North American Spine Society (NASS) recognizes exceptional contributions to the field and the Society through its annual Recognition Awards:
- Leon Wiltse Award
- Henry Farfan Award
- David Selby Award
- Past President’s Award (awarded every 3 years)
- Spine Advocacy Award
- International Award (new in 2025)
The Spine Advocacy Award was developed to recognize outstanding contributions to the federal advocacy efforts on behalf of patients and members of the society. In 2025, the Spine Advocacy Award will be bestowed upon
Donna Lahey, RNFA, CNOR.
Donna Lahey has been a NASS member since 1995. She is a registered nurse first assist with 35 years of experience specializing in spinal research and education. She is also the Spine Institute of Arizona’s Chief Executive Officer, where she has worked for over two decades, managing the institute while also assisting in surgery and with patient care in the office. Lahey has served on numerous NASS committees, and is the only non-MD/PhD/DO to ever serve on the NASS Board of Directors.
“Donna Lahey passionately dedicates all of her energy to improving spine care,” said Zoher Ghogawala, MD, former NASS President. “Year over year, Donna produced countless items for the NASS Silent Auction Fundraiser at the Evidence & Technology Spine Summit. Her dedication and energy are both stimulating and infectious!”
In 1995, Lahey was awarded with NASS’ David Selby Award for “contributions to the art and science of spinal disorder management.”
During her involvement with NASS, Lahey developed a passion for advocacy, serving on the Advocacy Council from 2016 until its dissolution in 2023. She was co-chair of the SpinePAC Committee during that same time. She is currently a member of the new Advocacy Committee. Throughout the course of her involvement with advocacy, Lahey traveled to Washington, DC, attending the Alliance for Specialty Medicine fly-ins and NASS fly-ins almost yearly, meeting with Congressmen/women and Senators on Capitol Hill to promote and discuss spine care advocacy issues and to discuss the needs of spine care specialists.
All awards will be presented to winners during an awards ceremony at the NASS 2025 Annual Meeting in Denver, CO on November 15, 2025. If you would like to read more about this year’s winners, or nominate a colleague for 2026 awards, please visit
www.spine.org/awards.