Committees


Committees, sections and task forces are essential to the work that NASS does to influence the future of spine care. Through committee work, members can stay on the cutting edge of the field, develop connections with other leaders in spine care, and participate in work that relates to their areas of interest and expertise.

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Advocacy Council

Advocacy Council

Advocates in the legislative and regulatory arenas for public policies that protect member's abilities to practice medicine and give patients access to the specialists and technologies they require for quality spine care. Also known as the National Association of Spine Specialists

Education Council

Annual Meeting Program Committee

Develops the Annual Meeting Program educational content within ACCME guidelines.

Administration & Development Council

Audit Committee

The committee provides oversight over the Society's financial position and internal control environment.

Evidence Analysis & Research Council

Clinical Practice Guideline Committee

Responsible for the development and revision of NASS clinical practice guidelines regarding the diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders and injuries.

Health Policy Council

Coding Committee

Participates in the AMA's CPT Editorial Panel and Relative Value Update Committee (RUC) to ensure development of appropriate CPT codes and recommend values for spine care services and procedures. The Coding Committee oversees NASS' coding education activities including annual coding courses, member coding Q&A service and Common Coding Scenarios for Comprehensive Spine Care.

Administration & Development Council

Committee on Ethics & Professionalism

Advises NASS leadership on issues relating to disclosure, ethics and professionalism. Develops, revises, and maintains NASS policies, rules and regulations in those areas. The Committee also stimulates information, papers and education for the membership on issues of ethics and professionalism in spine care.

Administration & Development Council

Conflict of Interest Review Panel

Reviews disclosures and plays a significant role in vetting nominees for the Presidential Line, Board of Directors and Committee Chairs. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the PCEC if a complaint relates to COI, and services membership by offering confidential guidance sought by self-referred members.

Education Council

Continuing Medical Education Committee

Responsible for interpreting needs assessment and developing continuing medical education activities to increase the capabilities of spine professionals. Committee members examine all proposals for collaboration on educational efforts with other educational entities.

Health Policy Council

Coverage Committee

Develop credible and reasonable coverage recommendations for spine care by proactively reviewing and incorporating existing NASS policy comments and Evidence-based Medicine guidelines to educate physicians and payors on fair coverage decisions.

Administration & Development Council

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mission is to provide recommendations for NASS to fulfill its mission to become a diverse, inclusive, and equitable professional society through the support of members, volunteers and leaders from a broad perspective of diverse communities, experiences, and backgrounds. Our goal is to create a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable society that can lead to increased membership and engagement.

Administration & Development Council

Early Career Advisory Council

The Early Career Advisory Council develops recommendations and initiatives of relevance to younger members and presents these programs for review and approval to the NASS Board of Directors. The Council includes representatives from eligible NASS standing committees, task forces, sections and other volunteer groups, and up to 10 at-large members per term.

Evidence Analysis & Research Council

Evidence-Based Medicine Committee

Provides education and support related to evidence review & analysis, enabling NASS to stay current with the latest developments and approaches in EBM while continuing to promote and advocate for evidence-based spine care.

Education Council

Exercise Committee

A multidisciplinary committee charged with evaluating and consolidating all existing NASS exercise-related publications. Educates spine care providers and patients about the role exercise can play in promoting spine health and reducing back pain.

Administration & Development Council

Governance Committee

Ensures NASS has an effective governing structure to manage its board and volunteer teams. The Governance Committee accomplishes this mission through training of current board and committee members, the development of future leaders for the society, the pursuit of diversity within the organization and its leadership, and other tasks to help the organization govern at the optimal level. The committee is also responsible for awarding our dedicated leaders through our Recognition Awards.

International Council

International Council

The International Council (IC) is the senior NASSi governing body that defines and implements NASS’ international strategic plan.

International Council

International Education Commission

The NASS International Education Commission is an elected body that is responsible for building and executing a Continuing Professional Development program for spine care professionals across the globe. The Commission shall create and implement blend- and life-long learning curricula and initiatives that support the professional development of our members.

International Council

International Members Commission

The International Members Commission is an elected body that is responsible for creating and deploying membership structures, programs and benefits that will appeal to and empower local spine care professionals and motivate them to join NASS so they can access NASS International-organized Communities of Practice.

Administration & Development Council

Investment Committee

This committee provides oversight over the Society's investments and related policies and procedures.

Advocacy Council

Legislative Committee

Mission - To identify public policies that promote patient access and allow providers to practice the highest quality spine care to benefit those patients. Vision - The law and regulations will provide our patients with optimal access to specialists and technology for high quality spine care.

Administration & Development Council

Member Feedback Committee

The purpose of the Member Feedback Committee is to provide NASS with a means to obtain frequent and substantive information from members to aid NASS staff and the Board of Directors in the development of programming, benefits and initiatives for the Society.

Administration & Development Council

Membership Committee

Reviews membership applications and makes recommendations to the board for approval of membership. Recommends changes to membership categories and explores new membership opportunities.

Education Council

NASSJ Peer Reviewers

The North American Spine Society Journal, NASSJ, is a multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed, international, electronic journal that publishes research, critical reviews, case reports, commentary, and other content related to spine surgery and spine care. Peer reviewers for NASSJ follow a formal peer review process for the evaluation of manuscripts and content submitted for publication.

Administration & Development Council

Nominating Committee

Presents nominations for the offices of Second Vice-President, and as needed, Secretary, Treasurer. It also handles At Large Member nominations every three years.

Education Council

Online Content Committee

The OCC is a multidisciplinary committee dedicated to the continued growth of user friendly, evidence-based online education. Through regular reviews and needs assessments, the OCC provides oversight of the development and implementation of all society initiatives related to online programming and web-based content creation.

Education Council

Patient Education Committee

Determines topics that would benefit spine care physicians and their patients by increasing the understanding of spine disorders and conditions and their treatment options and possible risks/side effects. Oversees review process and provides content on NASS' patient education website and knowyourback.org.

Evidence Analysis & Research Council

Patient Safety Committee

Responsible for the development and oversight of all NASS patient safety activities and education

Health Policy Council

Payor Policy Review Committee

Direct interaction with payors and government entities by reviewing and providing feedback on coverage decisions through appointed groups of subject matter experts. Advocate for NASS’ position on various clinical practice issues including reimbursement, coverage and the provision of quality spine care.

Advocacy Council

Political Engagement Committee

Mission: To increase political engagement activity by NASS members and ensure that our voice is heard in the political process so that spine specialists are able to best practice medicine and care for our patients. Vision: To have NASS members interacting with federal legislators, their staff and federal regulators throughout the country, serving as local advocates for NASS policy and advocacy goals.

Administration & Development Council

Professional Conduct & Ethics Committee

Reviews complaints through a formal hearing process on unethical and/or unprofessional behavior and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for resolution of those issues determined to be substantiated.

Education Council

Public Affairs Committee

Develops and provides oversight of NASS public information efforts targeting consumers, NASS members and the broader spine community. Activities include promotion of NASS’ mission through web site content, promotional campaigns, and other print, electronic or broadcast opportunities.

Evidence Analysis & Research Council

Research Funding Committee

Oversees research grant and fellowship applications, processes and suggests funding recommendations to the Evidence Analysis & Research Council and Board.

Education Council

Resident & Fellow Education Committee

The Resident and Fellow Education Committee reviews and advises the board on issues related to spine care fellowships and residency training in the area of spine care. The committee also oversees spine education curriculum development and compliance in the Residency Match Program.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Biologics & Basic Research

Provides unbiased, comprehensive evaluation of biological treatments for spinal conditions from a scientific perspective. Creates educational content for courses, online teaching, and annual meeting programs for dissemination of practical applications of biological treatments in research and clinical usage. Collaborates on position statements regarding aspects of the applications of biological treatments for the treatment of spinal disorders.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Comprehensive Episodes of Spine Care

The Comprehensive Episodes of Spine Care Section is a multidisciplinary section dedicated to using evidence-based science to improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. Our shared goal is to optimize patient centric management through collaboration across all disciplines of spine care.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Interdisciplinary Spine

Represents the breadth of specialties involved in spine care. Dedicated to providing broadly appealing educational opportunities through extensive interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as advancing quality, value-based and evidence-informed patient care.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring

Represents the breadth of clinical and scientific specialties sharing a common interest in the application of neuromonitoring (IONM) for nervous system preservation during spine surgery. Dedicated to advancing high quality, ethical, evidence- and value-based IONM for patients and other stakeholders. Develops and participates in educational opportunities for dissemination of knowledge regarding best practices related to IONM. Advocates for practice models that maintain quality and reduce costs in the ever-changing healthcare environment.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Minimally Invasive Procedures

Brings the thought leaders in minimally invasive spine surgery together outside of the confines of industry to improve the level of education offered to the NASS membership and also provides a more neutral voice to payers and other stake-holders considering coverage questions for these procedures. Promotes technology and techniques that allow less invasive and minimally invasive surgeries to be performed.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Multidisciplinary Surgical Approaches to the Spine

Improves the quality of anterior column surgery. Building on the synergistic relationship of the spine surgeon and exposure surgeon within NASS. Make anterior spine surgery safer, more reproducible, and timely with a focus on surgical education, improved awareness, clinical research, and strengthen multidisciplinary collaborations.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Radiology

Section on Radiology provides a forum for collaboration among medical and surgical spine specialists and radiologists that have interests and expertise in spinal imaging. The section develops and demonstrates expertise in key research areas as well as creates educational content for NASS. The focus is on diagnostic imaging but is also a resource for image guided interventions and intra-operative imaging.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Robotics & Navigation

Present an unbiased instruction on the benefits and different applications of image guidance in spinal surgery, as well as inform spine surgeons on various platforms emerging in robotic spine surgery and optimal uses for the new robotic technology.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Sacroiliac and Pelvic Girdle Pain

To bring together in one forum the various disciplines within NASS that treat sacroiliac and posterior pelvic girdle pain in order to share best practices.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Spinal Cord Injury

Support and inspire efforts that advance education understanding and innovation of healthcare professionals specializing in care of patients with spine cord injury.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Spinal Deformity

To promote the best evidence-based information on the management of spinal deformity to professionals, healthcare providers, and patients and support research in spinal deformity.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Spine Oncology

Bring together the various subspecialties within NASS who diagnose or treat patients with spine oncology and share best practices.

Administration & Development Council

Section on Surgical Engineering

The Section on Surgical Engineering provides a multidisciplinary team approach towards spine surgery, innovation, and clinical value. It will bring together various disciplines within NASS and beyond, to provide education and expertise related to spinal innovations through a collaborative approach. The team will consist of expertise from different disciplines; including engineers (biomechanical, electrical, mechanical), scientists, clinicians, surgeons, regulatory and business to provide the resources and education necessary to educate on new technologies and their clinical implementation and outcomes.

Education Council

SpineLine Editorial Board

The SpineLine Editorial Board determines the editorial content for NASS' bimonthly clinical and news publication, solicits authors, writes and edits articles, and reviews manuscripts prior to publication.

Advocacy Council

SpinePAC Advisory Committee

Formulates and implements SpinePAC fundraising strategy; works to increase member awareness about SpinePAC; encourages member participation in the PAC and the political process; and makes recommendations for contributions to qualified candidates for public office to the NASS Advocacy Council for approval and disbursement.

Education Council

The Spine Journal Executive Board

The Spine Journal Executive Board includes the Editor in Chief and Deputy Editors who provide editorial direction for the publication.

Education Council

The Spine Journal Peer Reviewers

The Spine Journal editorial board follows a formal peer-review process for the evaluation of manuscripts submitted for publication. Associate, Advisory, Special Reviewer & Consultant editorial board members serve as peer reviewers.