The North American Spine Society (NASS) recently announced the winners of its prestigious 2025 Recognition Awards.

Three of the awards are named in honor of NASS founding members who made significant contributions to the organization’s early success. Additionally, the Spine Advocacy Award recognizes contributions made by a physician who contributes to federal advocacy efforts, and the International Award recognizes International members of the North American Spine Society who have made outstanding contributions in basic science research, clinical research, or service to NASS.

These awards honor individuals nominated by their peers who have made exceptional contributions to the field of spine care through research, leadership, education, and advocacy.

• Henry Farfan Award: Virginie Lafage, PhD
• Leon Wiltse Award: Michael Steinmetz, MD
• David Selby Award: David O’Brien, MD
• Spine Advocacy Award: Donna Lahey, RNFA, CNOR
• International Award: Hani Mhaidli, MD, PhD

Henry Farfan Award: Virginie Lafage, Ph.D.
To recognize outstanding contributions in spine related basic science research.
Dr. Lafage has been a NASS member since 2009. After earning her mechanical engineering degree in France, Dr. Lafage pursued a Ph.D. in biomechanics with a focus on finite element analysis and biomechanical simulations for scoliosis surgery. Her journey led to extensive clinical training in spine surgery under the mentorship of Jean Dubousset, M.D., and Frank Schwab, M.D., in Paris and New York respectively, with a specific focus on sagittal spinopelvic alignment, adult spinal deformity, cervical deformity, and soft tissue analysis.

Leon Wiltse Award: Michael Steinmetz, M.D.
To recognize excellence in leadership and/or clinical research in spine care.
Dr. 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, a neurosurgeon, has participated in numerous NASS committees over the years, and has served as Annual Meeting Program co-chair twice.

David Selby Award: David O’Brien, M.D.
To recognize outstanding contributions in spine related basic science research.
Dr. O’Brien has been a NASS member since 1997. A physiatrist at the Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., he has served on numerous NASS committees, as well as positions on the NASS Board of Directors. Most recently, his NASS board positions included treasurer from 2018-2021 and secretary from 2021-2024. Dr. O’Brien has served as course chair and faculty for dozens of courses in at least eight countries and has presented more than 120 times nationally and internationally on back pain, sports injuries, and health care policy.

Spine Advocacy Award: Donna Lahey, RNFA, CNOR
To recognize members of the North American Spine Society who have made exceptional contributions to the federal advocacy efforts on behalf of patients and members of the society.
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 CEO, where she has worked for more than 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-M.D./Ph.D./D.O. to serve on the NASS Board of Directors.

International Award: Hani Mhaidli, M.D., Ph.D.
To recognize International members of the North American Spine Society who have made outstanding contributions in basic science research, clinical research, or service to NASS.
Dr. Mhaidli has been a NASS member since 1998. An orthopedic surgeon, he has served on NASS’ International Strategic Growth Committee, Section Development Committee, and co-chair of the Section on Spinal Deformity. Additionally, he is former president of the Spanish spine society, GEER, as well as former president of the federation of Latin American Spine Societies (SILACO). Aside from his work as a surgeon, Dr. Mhaidli also has extensive teaching experience. In Spain, he lectured as an associate professor of orthopedics at the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for 28 years.

NASS is a global multidisciplinary medical organization fostering the highest quality, ethical, evidence- and value-based spine care by promoting education, research, and advocacy. NASS membership is comprised of spine professionals from several disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, radiology, anesthesiology, research and physical therapy.