Sigurd H. Berven, M.D. Wins NASS’s David Selby Award

Sigurd H. Berven, M.D., one of the global deans of orthopedic spine surgery has been selected as the 2023 David Selby Award winner by the North American Spine Society (NASS).

What makes this honor so unique, is that it is bestowed by one’s own spine surgery peers. The David Selby award is presented to spine surgeons and researchers who have been outstanding contributors to the science, art, and practice of spine care.

When presenting the award, NASS specifically called out Dr. Berven for “his unwavering commitment to advancing the art and science of spinal disorder management through dedicated service to NASS in various roles.”

An active member of NASS since 2002, Dr. Berven has served on numerous committees and was a NASS 2022 program co-chair. Dr. Berven’s body of work which spans published papers, textbooks, podium presentations and active mentoring of hundreds of fellow surgeons in the sub-specialties of pediatric and adult deformities, degenerative conditions of the spine, spinal tumors and spinal trauma, and clinical research is unparalleled.

Among Dr. Berven’s many, many research interests is the critical but complicated subject of patient selection, assessment, and connecting those decisions and attributes to outcomes.

“David Selby was an exceptional teacher, a compassionate clinician, and an innovative and pioneering researcher,” Dr. Berven told OTW. “I consider it a great honor to be recognized by my peers and by the Board of the North American Spine Society with the David Selby Award this year.”

“I have participated in the David Selby conference for the past decade, and that event is organized in Dr. Selby’s memory, with a focus on critical assessment of new technologies in spine surgery, and interdisciplinary education. The conference extends the legacy of Dr. Selby’s teaching to the next generation of surgeons and spine care providers. I am committed to continuing to be guided by Dr. Selby’s principles of compassionate care, innovative research. and teaching in my career as a spine surgeon.”

OTW asked Dr. Berven about his view of the coming decade in spine care and how his own research and the pace of new technology might change the practice of spine surgery. “In the next decade, the innovation that I think will be truly disruptive to our practice of spine surgery is the application of principles of precision medicine to patient care.”

“Our best efforts to pursue an evidence-based approach to the management of spinal disorders remain characterized by uncertainty and significant variation in care patterns. The development of useful algorithms based upon large datasets will empower informed patient choice and guide the appropriate use of non-operative and operative options.”

“Payment reform and the transition from fee for service payments models to outcomes-based payment and capitated care will likely be important drivers toward patient-centered appropriate care.”

“My career as an academic spine surgeon has been focused on a single practice in a university setting, and that has been terrifically rewarding.”

“As I enter the next phase of my career, my focus will remain patient care and surgical management of a broad spectrum of spinal disorders. I will continue to be active in teaching and research, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute more to new technology and innovation in spine care with academic and industry partnerships.”