NASS DFNS CLASS OF 2026
Alexander Lemons, MD
Pinehurst Surgical Clinic
Pinehurst, NC
Orthopedic Surgeon
NASS Member Since 2014
What initially inspired you to become involved with NASS, and what has kept you engaged over the years?
Honestly, I started out as a skeptic with a bias that NASS was all about industry involvement and showcasing. My first annual meeting was to obtain CMEs, but it started the path to a better understanding and appreciation of NASS. I greatly value physician engagement, support, and advocacy. The commitment to research and sharing of ideas became apparent very quickly. Clinical guidelines are incredibly valuable, but they require significant work and commitment. All of these academic pursuits require a large organization with strong leadership. The engagement with industry is also very necessary and I have always found NASS to be responsible and ethical in their involvement. The commitment to surgeons in both fellowship and academia has kept me engaged and is sure to continue.
What is a lesson you learned early in your career that you still carry with you today?
Humility and respect immediately come to mind as principles I still carry. This makes applying for an honor a little odd for me, but I do think humility is key for surgeons young and old. Spine surgery is a humbling specialty by nature, but it is important to stay humble and committed to our patients. Respect is critical and I show this to everyone I encounter. This ranges from colleagues, to patients, to OR staff. Respect includes commitment to the truth even if they are painful truths or difficult truths. I relish the challenge our patients present and I strive to maintain humility and respect while working through the challenges
Tell us about one of your mentors and the best piece of advice they gave you.
This answer means a lot to me and relates to my early lessons on humility and respect. One mentor in fellowship had a significant impact. It was he who first told me “spine is a humbling profession”. I did not understand how right he was until I had more experience. He did not necessarily verbalize the value of respect, but more importantly he demonstrated respect and led by example. The last quote is a bit comical but holds a more generalized and basic truth. “It’s always a good time for champagne.” In a time when burnout and frustration are more prevalent and recognized, the lesson to enjoy life is particularly sagacious. Humility and respect are ingrained in me, but the reminder to enjoy or celebrate life’s moments must be refreshed.