Annual Meeting Program Highlights
Symposium
Healing the Healer: Sustaining the Spine Surgeon from First Case to Last
The demands of a career in spine surgery — long hours, high-stakes decisions, and the physical toll of the operating room — take a cumulative toll that is too often overlooked. This symposium brings together experts to address the sustainability of a career in spine surgery, from managing physical strain and burnout to building the habits and support systems that allow surgeons to thrive across a full career, from first case to last.
OPLL: From Biology to Surgical Procedures
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) remains one of the most challenging pathologies in cervical spine surgery. This symposium offers a comprehensive review of OPLL, from the underlying biology and pathophysiology driving disease progression to the surgical strategies and techniques used to manage it. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of both the science behind OPLL and the practical, technical considerations for surgical decision-making.
An Algorithmic Approach to the Evaluation and Management of Cervical Spinal Deformity
Cervical spinal deformity presents unique challenges in diagnosis, classification, and surgical planning. This symposium presents a structured, algorithmic framework for evaluating and managing cervical deformity, helping surgeons systematically assess patients and select the optimal treatment approach. Faculty will walk through decision-making pathways, key radiographic and clinical parameters, and case-based applications of the algorithm in practice.
Cervical Spinal Trauma – Operative Nuances from the Experts
Cervical spine trauma demands rapid, precise decision-making and technical mastery under pressure. In this symposium, leading experts share the operative nuances that distinguish good outcomes from great ones — covering surgical approach selection, technical pearls, and management of complex or challenging trauma cases. Attendees will leave with practical, expert-level insights to apply directly in their own operative practice.
Special Sessions
Henry H. Bohlman Presidential Guest Lecture
The Moral Obligation of Self-Care
Steve Forti, VP, Chief Wellness and Resiliency Officer, Hospital for Special Surgery, NY
Physicians are trained to put others first — but at what cost? In this powerful session, Steve Forti challenges the notion that burnout is a badge of honor, making the case that self-care isn't optional — it's a moral and professional obligation.
Drawing striking parallels between surgeon burnout and the resilience challenges faced by Army Special Operators, Forti reframes well-being as the foundation that sustains great care, not a retreat from it. A depleted provider can't deliver their best — and this session offers a compelling call to action for physicians ready to redefine what dedication really looks like.
Don't miss this thought-provoking look at why taking care of yourself is the first step to taking care of others.
Christopher G. and Betsy C. Ullrich Lecture
Apply Value-Based Health Care to Succeed Under TEAM and Other Bundled Payment Models
Robert Kaplan, Marvin Bower Professor of Leadership Development, Emeritus, Harvard Business School
As payment models shift from fee-for-service to outcomes-based bundled payments like TEAM, spine surgeons face a new imperative: deliver measurably better outcomes at a known, optimized cost. Robert Kaplan — a pioneer of value-based health care — will show how three core principles can help your practice thrive under this new reality:
- Build centers of excellence — Deliver multidisciplinary, integrated, and comprehensive care for cervical spine patients from diagnosis through recovery.
- Measure what matters to patients — Track and improve outcomes, including patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), to drive better clinical decisions and demonstrate value.
- Optimize the true cost of care — Use time-driven activity-based costing to understand and reduce the total cost of delivering integrated care, without compromising quality.
Whether you're navigating TEAM or preparing for the next bundled payment model, this session offers a practical framework for aligning clinical excellence with financial sustainability.
Key Dates
August
Preliminary Program Released
August 5 - November 4, 2026
Early Registration Pricing
November 5 - December 5, 2026
Regular Registration Pricing
November 9, 2026
Hotel Room Cut Off
December 2, 2026
31st Instructional Course
December 2-5, 2026
54th Annual Meeting