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 Leon Wiltse Award was developed to recognize excellence in leadership and/or clinical research in spine care. In 2025, the Leon Wiltse Award will be bestowed upon
Michael Steinmetz, MD.
Dr. Michael Steinmetz has been a NASS member since 2003. He is an academic spine surgeon and is the William and Amanda Madar Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. He is also the Director of the Center for Spine Health in the Neurologic Institute.
“Dr. Steinmetz is an exceptional leader of one of the largest clinical outcomes research groups in the country and consistently is a caring, thoughtful, and extremely skilled mentor,” said Seth Meade, MD. “He mentors hundreds of trainees from residents and fellows to medical students and undergraduates. His dedication to advancing spine research is unparalleled nationally, and he’s a role model both in and out of the OR and the lab. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.”
Dr. Steinmetz, a neurosurgeon, has participated in numerous NASS committees over the years, and has served as Annual Meeting Program Co-Chair twice. He also is a deputy editor of The Spine Journal. He was recently named director of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Steinmetz is dedicated to training the future generation of physicians. The department of neurosurgery at Cleveland Clinic graduates four residents/year, while the surgical spine fellowship graduates six and medical spine fellowship five. All have gone on to promising careers, many in academic positions throughout the country.
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.