NASS 2017 ANNUAL REPORT President’s Message . 2 Health Policy & Reimbursement . 20 2016-17 Board of Directors . 3 Governance Committee . 22 Membership . 4 Spine Education & Research Center . 22 Meeting Services . 5 Publications . 23 Education . 6 Spine Foundation . 25 Video Department . 11 2017 Recognition Awards . 26 Advocacy . 12 2016 NASS Committees . 28 Ethics & Professionalism . 16 Donor Recognition . 33 Research . 17 Financials . 37 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE NASS 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 2 “If a cluttered desk is the sign NASS has also achieved a reputation as an excellent of a cluttered mind, of what, resource for meeting management . This year, NASS was then is an empty desk a sign?” contracted by the McKenzie Institute international and the International Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery to -A . Einstein manage their annual meetings . My desk is much less cluttered now NASS’ expertise continues to be in demand from a policy than when I was serving as the 33rd and reimbursement standpoint, as well . Collaborating with President of NASS . Despite this eviCore, an insurance management firm that manages F. Todd Wetzel, MD obvious handicap, I was asked to more than 100 million patients, the Payor Policy Review NASS President write the introduction to this annual 2016-17 Committee is reviewing 21 draft policies for spine surgery report . and spine injections . eviCore also has expressed interest in reviewing NASS coverage recommendations as well . This This is not as easy as it seems . Every year NASS surpasses is hardly surprising as our Coverage Recommendations itself . This last year was no exception . Unfortunately, program continues to grow . The coverage documents limitations of space and time preclude me from mentioning have proven to be a valuable resource for NASS members every individual effort and every program in the detail as well, with nearly 4,000 chapter downloads by NASS they deserve . I apologize in advance to all those whose members to date . contributions I cannot acknowledge . Suffice it to say, however, all the efforts of staff and volunteers are The activities of the NASS Advocacy Council and the Spine tremendously appreciated and gratefully accepted . PAC are robust as well . Not only have members from the Council met with many members of Congress, but the This year, the NASS Spine Registry pilot project Council also specifically addressed issues on opioids, liability was completed . The finished product, a bona fide reform, and accountability . Participation in the PAC must be comprehensive registry, will be offered to our members rewarded and encouraged, as this really is our voice on the in 2018 . The design and development of the registry Hill—a voice that was heard quite clearly last year . represents a truly Herculean effort by many people . This registry is unique in that it will capture all aspects of spine After a decade of admirable service, during which The care: rehabilitation, interventional, medical, and surgical . Spine Journal became the specialty journal with the This comprehensive, versatile tool will prove invaluable to highest impact factor, Eugene Carragee, MD stepped spine practitioners . Daniel Resnick, MD, MS, served as the down as Editor in Chief . After considering a large number Chair of the Registry Committee and deserves our profound of outstanding candidates, the position was offered to gratitude . Christopher Bono, MD . The efforts of the NASS and TSJ staff cannot be lauded highly enough, as a smooth transition Society membership has continued to grow, both is underway . Additionally, the Board of Directors approved domestically and internationally . Active membership the creation of an open access journal . A task force is is more than 8,000; a goal of 10,000 is quite plausible . currently at work on its development . Currently, international members comprise approximately 20 percent of our entire membership . This growing Finally, thanks must be given to our tireless Executive international exposure reinforces the role of NASS in the Director, Eric Muehlbauer, and the incredible team that he forefront of global spine care . A key component of this has assembled, developed, and mentored . As I noted during global initiative is the participation of NASS faculty in my presidential address at the 2017 Annual Meeting, this is international societies . For example, NASS was invited, the most extraordinary group with whom I have ever worked . for the first time, to offer an informational recruiting I miss working with them very much . I honestly wish that my booth and to participate in the scientific program at the desk was still cluttered . recent BritSpine Meeting in the United Kingdom . NASS will participate in the scientific program of the upcoming British Scoliosis Society meeting . This marks a very positive and exciting shift that opens the door for collaboration and information sharing, which will benefit patients globally . F . Todd Wetzel, MD 2016-17 BOARD OF DIRECTORS NASS 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 3 F. Todd Wetzel, MD Scott Kreiner, MD President Clinical Research Development Chair Daniel Resnick, MD Jerome Schofferman, MD First Vice President Committee on Ethics & Professionalism Chair Jeffrey C. Wang, MD Alan Hilibrand, MD Second Vice President Continuing Medical Education Chair William J. Sullivan, MD Donna D. Ohnmeiss, PhD Secretary Education Publishing Chair Eeric Truumees, MD Charles Cho, MD Treasurer Evidence Compilation and Analysis Chair Christopher M. Bono, MD Mitchel Harris, MD, FACS Past President Governance Committee Chair Charles A. Reitman, MD Joseph S. Cheng, MD, MS Administration and Development Council Director Section Development Chair John Finkenberg, MD David Rothman, PhD Advocacy Council Director NASS Ethicist Edward Dohring, MD, MBA Norman B. Chutkan, MD, FACS Education Council Director At-Large Member David O’Brien, MD Matthew Smuck, MD Health Policy Council Director At-Large Member Zoher Ghogawala MD, FACS Eric J. Muehlbauer, MJ, CAE Research Council Director Executive Director MEMBERSHIP NASS 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 4 At the conclusion of the 2017 membership Orthopedic Surgeon: 48% year, NASS maintained a roster of 8,710 Neurosurgeon: 24% members in good standing, including PM&R: 11% 1,130 new members recruited throughout the year . Work by the Membership Anesthesiologist: 3% Committee included implementation of Radiologist: 1% the new Commercial Affiliate program, and Other Physician: 2% development of strategies to keep members Physician Assistant: 2% in-training engaged in the society . Researcher: 2% Nurse/NP: 2% The member engagement website, Chiropractor: 1% SpineConnect, continues to be an exciting PT/OT: 1% asset for NASS members . A site to share Other Nonphysician: 3% cases and other spine care-related topics in a password-protected environment, SpineConnect had 657 posts on 69 topics by 166 unique contributors in 2017 . There were also more than 16,000 logins and 4,651 unique logins to the site during the year . Case discussions continue to be the top feature, Active: 41% as members are taking advantage of the Associate: 6% opportunity to get real-time advice and input In-Training: 18% from colleagues around the world . Many physicians post details of their cases along Affiliate: 9% with X-ray images to give colleagues a well- Emeritus: 8% rounded view of the patient . International Tier 1: 16% International Tier 2: 2% Honorary: 0% MEETING SERVICES NASS 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 5 NASS Meeting Services managed 23 meetings 2017 Summer Spine Meeting throughout the year, ranging from 10 to more than 6,500 • San Diego, CA; July 26-29, 2017 . participants in eight cities, including Chicago, San Diego, • Meeting attendance increased by 26% from 2016 . San Francisco, Orlando, and more . Meetings included the Annual Meeting, Evidence & Technology Spine Summit, McKenzie Institute International 2017 Summer Spine Meeting, McKenzie Institute International, • San Francisco, CA; September 20-25, 2017 . International Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery • NASS managed the McKenzie Institute International (ISMISS2017), Board/SIG meetings, instructional 2017 in order to streamline meeting efforts and courses/workshops, and various committee meetings . increase overall meeting profitability . Highlights: 2017 Annual Meeting • Orlando, FL; October 25-29, 2017 . International Society for Minimally Invasive Spine • 69 countries were represented, which is an increase of Surgery (ISMISS) 2017 three countries, compared to NASS2016 . • Chicago, IL; January 18-20, 2017 . • It was the first time NASS utilized beacon technology, • Meeting took place at the Swissôtel Chicago, with a which allowed NASS to monitor room capacities and hands-on course held on January 18 at the Specialty determine traffic patterns in order to enhance the Education & Research Center (SERC) in Burr Ridge, IL . attendee experience during future meetings . • This meeting was held in Zurich, Switzerland since its • NASS offered a one-day complimentary meeting inception and will rotate to an international destination registration to those in Florida and Texas directly every other year . This year’s meeting was held in impacted by the fall 2017 hurricanes . Chicago to save on meeting expenses and to take advantage of holding the hands-on course at SERC . 13th Annual Evidence & Technology Spine Summit • Park City, UT; February 22-25, 2017 . • Meeting attendance increased by four percent from 2016 . It was the second highest Evidence & Technology attendance under NASS’ management . • The technical