Lifetime Achievement Award Past Winners
2025 CSRS Lifetime Achievement Award
Regis W. Haid, Jr., MD
With an extraordinary career that spans over three decades, Dr. Haid has established himself as a true leader, educator, innovator, and clinician in the field of spinal neurosurgery, with a special emphasis on cervical spine pathology and treatment.
Dr. Haid’s commitment to the advancement of cervical spine care is exemplified by his academic appointments, leadership in surgical education, and the lasting impact he has had on generations of spine fellows. From his tenure at Emory University, where he served as Professor of Neurological Surgery and Director of the Spinal Fellowship, to his current role as Director of the Neuroscience Service Line at Piedmont Healthcare and Co-Director of the Piedmont Spine Center, his leadership has shaped regional and national standards in spine care.
As a founding partner of Atlanta Brain and Spine Care, Dr. Haid has been at the forefront of integrating academic excellence with clinical practice. He completed his neurosurgical residency at West Virginia University and served as Clinical Instructor at the University of Florida, where he also completed a one-year Orthopaedic Fellowship in Spine Surgery. His training background also includes military service at Wilford Hall Medical Center, demonstrating a foundation built on discipline, clinical acumen, and service to others. His board certification by the American Board of Neurological Surgery since 2000 further reinforces the depth of his commitment to professional standards.
Dr. Haid’s impact transcends institutional affiliations. He has contributed significantly to our understanding of spinal cord injury management, cervical fusion techniques, and the evolution of motion-preserving spine technologies. He is recognized not only as a skilled surgeon but also as a mentor and visionary in the neurosurgical and spine communities. His leadership roles include serving as a former Board of Director of the AANS (American Association of Neurological Surgeons), former AANS Vice President, and Past President of the AANS. He formerly served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the NREF (Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation), as a Board of Directors Member of the LSRS (Lumbar Spine Research Society, and as Past Chair of the AANS/CNS (Congress of Neurological Surgeons) Joint Spine Section.
Among his honors are the AANS Cushing Medal and the Spine Section Meritorious Service Award. Furthermore, as a widely published author, Dr. Haid has contributed over 200 scientific articles to peer-reviewed journals, written or edited 13 books, delivered more than 900 presentations, and authored over 95 chapters on the treatment of spinal disorders.
In short, Dr. Haid embodies the core mission and spirit of the Cervical Spine Research Society: scientific rigor, collegiality, innovation, and dedication to improving patient outcomes. His decades-long career is a testament to sustained excellence.
CSRS is honored to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to such a distinguished and deserving recipient.
CSRS 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Bradford L. Currier, MD
Dr. Bradford Currier is the recipient of the Cervical Spine Research Society Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Currier graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine, performed his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and fellowship at the University of Miami. He spent his 32-year career practicing at the Mayo Clinic, where he was a Professor of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery, and now holds the position of Professor Emeritus. He served as Vice-Chair of the Department of Orthopedics and was the Chair for Research and Practice. He founded the Spine fellowship at the Mayo Clinic and trained and mentored 42 fellows during his career.
Dr. Currier has won multiple awards for his research and publications in the field of spinal surgery. He has served as President of the Lumbar Spine Research Society and is a Past-President of the Cervical Spine Research Society. As President of the CSRS he founded the 21st Century Endowment Fund. This endowment, with its generous funding from industry and the CSRS members has allowed the CSRS to fund impactful research to improve patient care in the cervical spine. As a result of Dr. Currier's vision and leadership, the CSRS has awarded research grants of over $5.3 million dollars.
Dr. Currier is the proudest of his family, his wife Nancy of 47 years, his 3 children, and 2 grandchildren. He is a humble, wise, quiet leader. His contributions to the field of Spinal Surgery and the CSRS will be realized for many years to come. The CSRS Board and Awards Committee are honored to give the 2024 CSRS Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Bradford Currier.
2023
Augustus A. White III, MD, PhD
Th
e Cervical Spine Research Society proudly awards Augustus White, MD, PhD, as the 2023 recipient of the CSRS Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. White is awarded this honor, not only for personal accomplishments, but also for accomplishments that advanced the field of cervical spine surgery.
His remarkable leadership is unparalleled, and we thank him for his dedication and service to CSRS, including his term as CSRS President in 1988.
From a young age, Dr. White opened doors for people of color in the medical field as well as the field of research and education. Dr. White’s career includes many firsts for the black community, including being the first black medical student at Stanford, the first black surgical resident at Yale, and the first black medical professor at Yale. Although Dr. White continues to be a decorated author and philanthropist. His legacy is ongoing, as seen through the Augustus A. White III Institute, which is dedicated to raising national awareness for healthcare equity.
Dr. White has made amazing contributions and strides in the field of cervical spine research and surgery for our entire community. His example has been an inspiration to not only CSRS members, but also the field of medicine and beyond. We recognize his long and prosperous career in cervical spine surgery as a researcher, humanitarian, educator, innovator, leader, and philanthropist.
2022
Paul A. Anderson, MD
CSRS proudly awards Paul A. Anderson, MD as the 2022 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. In granting this award, CSRS recognizes his exemplary career in cervical spine surgery as a researcher, educator, innovator, and global leader spanning four decades. Dr. Anderson influenced the course and direction of CSRS in countless ways, including as President from 2001-2002, as well as Vice President and Treasurer.
Dr. Anderson has worked vigorously throughout his career to evolve the field of cervical spine surgery. His research contributions have been highly impactful, with hundreds of publications on both clinical and basic science topics ranging from trauma, degenerative, biomechanical, and molecular biological studies. His body of cervical spine research has been remarkable, authoritative, and broad. To say that Dr. Anderson is a Renaissance Man in cervical spine surgery is truly an understatement.
In addition, his commitment to cervical spine education has been profound. It has been said of Dr. Anderson that, “There is no greater educator in cervical spine disorders.” For example, he continues to teach hand-on cervical spine courses for young surgeons with humble and enthusiastic dedication. Countless students, residents, fellows, and peers have benefitted from his cogent teaching ability during his illustrious career at the University of Washington, University of Wisconsin, and as a leader of CSRS.
For all this and more, CSRS is honored to present Dr. Paul A. Anderson with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. We congratulate Dr. Anderson not only for his remarkable academic accomplishments, but also for what those accomplishments have done to advance both our field and the society that we so cherish. We are confident that his example will serve as a lofty inspiration to our members for generations to come.
2021
Ronald Apfelbaum, MD
CSRS proudly awards Dr. Ronald Apfelbaum as the 2021 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, marking his outstanding contributions to the field of cervical spine surgery throughout his career.
Dr. Apfelbaum has extensive leadership experience that propelled the society, most notably while serving as President of CSRS from 2007-2008. He also served as both Vice President and Secretary for CSRS.
CSRS proudly awards Dr. Ronald Apfelbaum as the 2021 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, marking his outstanding contributions to the field of cervical spine surgery throughout his career.
Dr. Apfelbaum has extensive leadership experience that propelled the society, most notably while serving as President of CSRS from 2007-2008. He also served as both Vice President and Secretary for CSRS.
Dr. Apfelbaum worked tirelessly throughout his career to evolve the field of spine surgery and made major impacts in several areas of the field. He was instrumental in the development of an FDA cleared Odontoid Fracture Fixation System in 2015. Building off his understanding of biomechanics, he developed one of the earliest Anterior Cervical Dynamic Plate systems for stabilization after ACDF, which is still being used today. He also developed a unique posterior C1-2 transarticular screw fixation system that pushed the state of the art in its time.
Dr. Apfelbaum has been very successful academically throughout his career. He served as Director and Co-Director for the Neurosurgery/Orthopaedic Spine Fellowship Program, as well as the Neurosurgery Residency Training Program at the University of Utah. Dr. Apfelbaum was a talented researcher, with hundreds of combined peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and other publications. He presented at countless medical conferences all over the US and other parts of the world. Dr. Apfelbaum’s ability to create bridges between the fields of neurosurgery and orthopaedic surgery has made both disciplines stronger and allowed him to develop a notable presence as a global leader.
For all this and more, CSRS is honored to present Dr. Ronald Apfelbaum with the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award.
2020
Frank J. Eismont, MD
CSRS proudly awards Frank J. Eismont, MD as the first recipient of the CSRS Lifetime Achievement Award, marking his outstanding contributions to the field of cervical spine surgery throughout his career. A member since 1981, Dr. Eismont was president of the society in 1995 and greatly influenced the course and direction of the CSRS. Dr. Eismont served on the executive committee from 1993-1996, as chairman of the editorial committee, and as local host for the Miami Annual Meeting in 1985. His colleagues mention him as one of the greatest educators of cervical spine disorders due to his tireless nature, his hands-on cervical spine courses for young spine surgeons, and the way he enthusiastically continues educational efforts with humble and dedicated energy.
Dr. Eismont graduated from University of Rochester School of Medicine in 1973. He completed his residency at Cleveland-based Case Western Reserve University and followed his residency with a fellowship at Metrohealth Med Center in 1979 and Pennsylvania Hospital in 1980. Dr. Eismont is currently Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. We applaud Dr. Eismont for his keen commitment and outstanding contributions to the CSRS and field of cervical spine research by honoring his with the CSRS Lifetime Achievement Award.