The North American Spine Society recognized five spine leaders this year for their contributions to research, clinical care, advocacy and international education. NASS offers six annual recognition awards named for founding members and key contributions to the field; the Past President award, given every three years, was not awarded in 2026. Here are this year’s five winners.
Todd Albert, MD — Leon Wiltse Award
The Wiltse Award recognizes excellence in leadership and/or clinical research in spine care. Dr. Albert is surgeon-in-chief emeritus at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, where he previously served as surgeon-in-chief and chief medical officer, and is a professor of orthopaedic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. He also serves as CMO of Legent Health and co-founded See All AI, a company focused on medical imaging and surgical navigation technology. A NASS member since 1995, he has authored more than 450 peer-reviewed publications, 80 book chapters and 14 books, mentored more than 150 spine fellows, and is the only orthopaedic surgeon to have served as president of both the Cervical Spine Research Society and the Scoliosis Research Society.
Brian Kwon, MD, PhD — Henry Farfan Award
The Farfan Award recognizes outstanding contributions in spine-related basic science research. Dr. Kwon is a professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of British Columbia, where he holds the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Spinal Cord Injury and the endowed Dvorak Chair in Spine Trauma. As director of the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, one of the world’s largest spinal cord injury research centers, he has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed publications and secured more than $95 million in extramural research funding. He also established the world’s only International Spinal Cord Injury Biobank to support researchers globally.
Paul Arnold, MD — David Selby Award
The Selby Award recognizes contributions to the art and science of spinal disorder management through service to NASS. Dr. Arnold is a professor of neurosurgery at Loyola University of Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine and has been a NASS member since 1998. Over nearly three decades with the society, he has played a leading role in shaping NASS policy and ethics, including 14 years on the Committee on Ethics & Professionalism, six of them as chair. He has also served on the Clinical Practice Guidelines, Finance and Audit committees, and spent three years as deputy editor of The Spine Journal.
David Gendelberg, MD — Spine Advocacy Award
The Advocacy Award recognizes exemplary commitment and leadership in advancing policies that support spine health awareness, patient care and professional development. Dr. Gendelberg is an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at University of California San Francisco, where he also co-directs the Spine Pathology Advanced Research Center. A NASS member since 2015, his clinical interests include spine trauma, minimally invasive surgery and expanding access to spine care. Within NASS, he has chaired the Political Engagement Subcommittee and represented the society at congressional fly-ins, building relationships between lawmakers and spine surgeons in support of policies aimed at improving patient access to care.
Jin-Sung “Luke” Kim, MD, PhD — International Award
Established in 2025, the International Award recognizes leadership and contributions to advancing spine care on a global scale. Dr. Kim is a professor of neurosurgery and director of the Medical Device Development Center at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea. Widely regarded as a pioneer of endoscopic spine surgery, he has authored more than 250 scientific publications, delivered more than 700 invited lectures worldwide, and trained surgeons from more than 40 countries through the SpineWalker Academy. He currently holds the highest h-index globally in endoscopic spine surgery based on first and corresponding authorship.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
