NASS DFNS CLASS OF 2026

R. Dale Blasier, MD, FRCSC, MBA
Arkansas Childrens Hospital
Little Rock, AR
Orthopedic Surgeon
NASS Member Since 2006
What is a lesson you learned early in your career that you still carry with you today?
Live, love, teach. It is a blessing to have access to knowledge about information and processes for getting things done. But the real icing on the cake is the ability and willingness to teach it to others. Sharing knowledge may be the most important legacy I will have outside the family.
Is there a NASS volunteer experience that had a lasting impact on you?
The issue of physician reimbursement has always been very important for NASS members. I have been fortunate to be involved in both the NASS Coding Committee and also NASS Advocacy efforts. Oddly enough, these two are entwined and interrelated to a large extent. Working on these common and important issues has provided me with the opportunity to meet and interact with NASS leaders, policy makers, and government officials. These relationships have had a lasting and positive effect on my life.
What skills do you believe are most important for today's spine professionals to develop?
Communication is key. It is important for patients, colleagues, and coworkers to know what you are thinking. It can be a terrible mistake to assume that they already know what you intend. When in doubt ask.