NASS DFNS CLASS OF 2026
David Gendelberg, MD
UCSF - Orthopedic Trauma Institute
San Francisco, CA
Orthopedic Surgeon
NASS Member Since 2015
What was a pivotal moment in your career that shaped the professional you are today?
One of the most important lessons I learned early in my career is that things do not always go the way you want or expect; that is not necessarily a bad thing. A setback, detour, or unexpected change can create an opportunity you might not otherwise have considered. The key is to remain open and make the most of the situation in front of you.
That mindset allowed me to pursue experiences I may not have initially envisioned, including additional training in minimally invasive spine surgery and orthopedic trauma, which, as a consequence of the pandemic, ultimately helped me build a career that bridges both fields. Each unexpected turn added skills, relationships, and perspectives that prepared me for the next step. Looking back, the path often makes far more sense than it did in the moment. If you keep moving forward and take full advantage of each opportunity, things have a way of working out.
How has your involvement with NASS influenced your professional growth or career journey?
My involvement with NASS taught me how professional organizations work, how ideas become initiatives, how decisions are made, and how meaningful change is created. It introduced me to colleagues and mentors across the spine community and showed me that, by investing time and effort, I could help shape the issues that matter to our profession. Beginning with SpinePAC and later working as a reviewer for The Spine Journal, early-career initiatives, online content and more gave me a much broader view of what an organization and its members can accomplish.
The leadership skills, communication skills, collaboration, advocacy, and the ability to turn ideas into action I developed through NASS have expanded my abilities far beyond the organization. I now apply them throughout my career, beyond spine care, and even in my personal life. NASS did more than create professional opportunities; it changed how I approach problems and helped me recognize that I can make a difference.
Looking back on your own experience, what advice would you give to members seeking a more active role in NASS?
My advice is to begin with one position and truly invest in it. Show up, communicate, do the work, and look for ways to contribute beyond the minimum expected. You do not need to start with a prominent role; consistent effort and reliability are noticed. Every committee wants members who are engaged, responsive, and willing to work, and those qualities naturally lead to trust and additional opportunities.
My own involvement in NASS began with a position on the SpinePAC Advisory Committee and grew one role at a time into opportunities in political engagement, education, online content, the journal and the Early Career Advisory Council. By focusing on doing each job well rather than on what position might come next, I developed relationships, gained new skills, and was invited to take on greater responsibility. Start with one opportunity, invest fully, and let your work open the next door.