NASS DFNS CLASS OF 2026
Akhil Chhatre, MD
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, MD
PM&R
NASS Member Since 2012
What originally drew you to the field of spine care?
I was originally drawn to Spinal Medicine due to the complexity of presentation, the high prevalence of spine pathology for all ages, and the need for high quality evidence driven care. What has kept me going is the continual progress of our field as we gain better technology and understanding of what works and what the potential treatment options are.
What skills do you believe are most important for today's spine professionals to develop?
I think that interpersonal skills are the most important professional soft skill to develop. This will help with patient engagement, relationships with colleagues and staff, and allow you to have opportunities to further your practice and outcomes.
How has your involvement with NASS influenced your professional growth or career journey?
I have had the pleasure of being involved with NASS as a fellow onwards. From being a member of the inaugural 40 Under 40 class, to presenting at annual meetings to participating in advocacy, patient safety, and SpineLine committees, NASS has offered me opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the world and further the field together with experts.