Elian Shepherd, MD
What first brought you to NASS, and what do you remember about the early years?
It was the desire to be in this prestigious society, and to be able to in contact with as many surgeon as I could to enhance my career
Can you share your favorite NASS memory?
It was in early 1990s when I attended a workshop for many many invasive lumber decompression to find out that I was already doing that on my own.
"Where do you get that from you? Why did you what is this? OK, thank you, thank you."
What was spine care like when you entered the field and how did it evolve throughout your career?
It was simple, but the gradually with technology start to build up and became very much overwhelming and too much for everyone to know everything.
Was there a particular project, committee, or initiative you were proud to be a part of? What made it memorable?
One of the projects I participated in is using semi fixation for short lumbar fusion.
Who were some of the people who shaped your experience in NASS?
Dr. Claus Zielke of Germany and Roger Jackson of Kansas City. I also was impressed with Dr. Paul Meyer of Northwest University, Ronald Dewald of Rush, Presbyterian and Jergon Harms of Germany.
What did it feel like to be a part of building NASS into what it is today?
Very proud
Looking back, what was one of the biggest challenges the spine field faced during your active years, and how was it addressed?
Understanding and treating the positive sagittal balance.
If you could preserve one lesson or philosophy for future generations of spine care providers, what would it be?
To be humble and make sure your patience knows that you don't know everything and most of all let your patient know that your name is not Jesus.
What did you learn from patients that changed how you approached your work or saw your role in the field?
Unfortunately, I learned from those patients who filed medical legal case against me without basic foundation. I learned to be resentful of lawyers as well.
What does "service to the profession" mean to you, and how did you try to live that out?
It's a great honor to be able to service to the profession, it's a privilege I cherished all my life.
What do you see as the most important challenge or opportunity facing the future of spine care?
Spine care should involve training in neuro and orthopedics. One year of spine training after four or five years of residency is not enough to make a spine surgeon. I also encourage mentorship after the fellowship training.
What emerging innovations do you think will have the most impact on patient care?
Robotic surgery.
If you were entering the field today, what area would you be most excited to pursue?
Spine surgery, without a doubt.
In your view, what role should professional societies like NASS play in shaping the future of medicine?
More small meeting and workshops.
What's one hope you have for the spine community 40 years from now?
I hope that 40 years from now, the surgeon would not be doing revision on our surgery today.
What would you most like to be remembered for in your career?
I would like to remembered as the surgeon who made the right diagnosis, applied the right treatment for the right person, and believing that in spite of all that the outcome might be to my liking.
If someone finds your message in this time capsule decades from now, what would you want them to know about the people who built NASS?
The pioneers of their time.
What has being part of NASS meant to you personally?
It was an opportunity to be in contact of local and international surgeon and exchange ideas.
What do you believe is NASS' greatest legacy to the field, and what do you hope future members carry forward?
Loss of Shetal balance continue to be a serious problem and older people therefore, addressing this issue more seriously is a duty upon us. We need to understand that spine fusion is not a procedure unless we observe the proper bio mechanics of the spine and balance.
If someone in 2065 is reading this and just starting their career in spine, what do you want them to know?
They need to be serious about the profession, spine surgery is not a business, even if everyone around us considering it that way.