Gil Tepper, MD, FACS
What first brought you to NASS, and what do you remember about the early years?
My mentor, Leon Wiltse, required his fellows to go, and he helped us financially. In the early meetings several of Lee’s fellows had started their own fellowships. Having dinners as a fellow with several of Lee's fellows like Art White, Hanson Yuan, David Selby, Richard Guyer, and their fellows was an inspiring event. I felt I was a part of something larger and more important than me alone. Many ideas were freely shared on innovation, business development, investment tools, Human Resources etc. I received many inspirations that I use later in my career . I am grateful to NASS and Dr. Wiltse for the meeting platform.
Can you share your favorite NASS memory?
Presenting original research and podium time afterwards was both nerve wrecking and exciting. Unusual topics like “retrograde ejaculation” as a complication added some spice to the conversations.
What was spine care like when you entered the field and how did it evolve throughout your career?
I feel my career spanned the renaissance period of spine surgery. I witnessed a tremendous amount of growth, innovation, and paradigm shifts. From very few options for FDA-approved screws- to a multitude variety through motion preservation challenges and less and less invasive techniques. Spine surgery was a great choice for an exciting and challenging career.
Was there a particular project, committee, or initiative you were proud to be a part of? What made it memorable?
Early involvement with the K2M startup and medical board added tremendous depth to the NASS meetings for me. Several of Wiltse’s fellows plus many other innovative leaders and academicians collaborated freely in the lab to create a tremendous experience during NASS meetings.
Who were some of the people who shaped your experience in NASS?
In addition to the ones mentioned before, working closely with Gary Karlin Michelson for several years inspired an early mind shift toward invention and innovation that resulted in many great relationships and friendships in NASS.
What did it feel like to be a part of building NASS into what it is today?
My years of involvement with NASS felt like building community the old fashioned way: eye contact, listening, sharing ideas, implementing, and having something beautiful to show for it in the meetings. I feel a sense of pride and joy for my contribution.
Looking back, what was one of the biggest challenges the spine field faced during your active years, and how was it addressed?
I feel that both the early pedicle screw experience and the total disc experience had rough stages that were overcome through grit, persistence, data collection, and legal representation to yield the breakthroughs we experience today.
If you could preserve one lesson or philosophy for future generations of spine care providers, what would it be?
As Wiltse told me: no matter how busy you get— take one half-day or a full-day a week for self development. This can be research, volunteer work, personal projects, or organizing your thoughts and aspirations.
What did you learn from patients that changed how you approached your work or saw your role in the field?
My surgical work and success were very much dependent on multidisciplinary improvements in nutrition, rehabilitation and mental wellness.
What does "service to the profession" mean to you, and how did you try to live that out?
For me that was through collaboration with colleagues, pushing boundaries of materials and technique and speaking loudly in demand for justice to our profession from insurance companies, governmental agencies and nonlicensed opportunistic charlatans.
What do you see as the most important challenge or opportunity facing the future of spine care?
Cost containment while maintaining quality assurance
What emerging innovations do you think will have the most impact on patient care?
I think using artificial intelligence to improve nutritional balance, mental and physical wellbeing in the peri operative period and beyond will have impact.
In your view, what role should professional societies like NASS play in shaping the future of medicine?
Outcome database protocols, multidisciplinary integration.
What's one hope you have for the spine community 40 years from now?
That we continue to pursue studies and innovation to yield multiple renaissance periods.
What would you most like to be remembered for in your career?
The energy and joy I brought to my projects, the “it can be done” attitude, and the appreciation for fellow colleagues.
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?
That we were true visionaries who pushed boundaries and did not get intimidated by early challenges or failure.
What has being part of NASS meant to you personally?
Belonging to a great community of caregivers and experts in collaboration.
What do you believe is NASS' greatest legacy to the field, and what do you hope future members carry forward?
…make a new friend , collaborate, share, challenge and innovate.
If someone in 2065 is reading this and just starting their career in spine, what do you want them to know?
Take your time with patients, a mentor, a friend. Share openly — not only success but failure as well. Don’t neglect your family or personal life for your career.