NASS DFNS CLASS OF 2026
Douglas Pahl, MD
The Hughston Clinic, PC
Columbus, GA
Orthopedic Surgeon
NASS Member Since 2008
What originally drew you to the field of spine care?
I was originally drawn to spine care because it combines complexity, precision, and the ability to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives. It requires a strong understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, imaging, pathology, and patient goals, along with careful judgment and humility in navigating nuanced decisions. I was especially drawn to how spine conditions can influence so many parts of a person’s life, including mobility, independence, work, sleep, and overall quality of life. The opportunity to help patients move through that complexity, whether with surgical or non-surgical treatment, is what made the field so compelling to me. It continues to be one of the most challenging and rewarding areas of medicine.
How has your involvement with NASS influenced your professional growth or career journey?
My involvement with NASS has had a meaningful impact on my professional growth by broadening my perspective beyond my own practice and institution. Through NASS, I have had the opportunity to learn from colleagues across disciplines, engage with leaders in the field, and gain a better understanding of the larger forces shaping spine care, including education, research, guidelines, advocacy, quality, and patient outcomes. It has reinforced for me that our responsibility as spine professionals extends beyond the care we provide individually. We also have a role in advancing the field in a thoughtful, evidence-based, and principled way. NASS has provided both a professional home and a wider lens through which to serve patients, colleagues, and the specialty.
Looking back on your own experience, what advice would you give to members seeking a more active role in NASS?
My advice would be to get involved early, stay consistent, and be willing to contribute wherever you can. NASS offers many opportunities, but meaningful involvement usually begins with showing up, volunteering, listening, and following through. You do not need a title or all the answers to make a real impact. Some of the most important work happens through committees, task forces, educational initiatives, research efforts, and collaborative projects that benefit from members’ time, judgment, and perspective. I would encourage members to raise their hand, find an area they care about, and commit to it. Over time, that kind of engagement not only strengthens NASS, but also supports your own professional and personal growth.