In this issue, we present interviews with our Meritorious Award Winners for Neurosurgery, Bob Heary, and Orthopedics, Rolando Garcia, who will both be honored at the Spine Summit this spring. Also, Scott Zuckerman provides a fascinating account of spine surgery medical mission work in Tanzania. In our Peripheral Nerve learning corner, TJ Wilson and Zack Ray describe nerve transfers for spinal cord injury patients. Finally, LuisTumialan, Charlie Sansur and John Ratliff explain how the efforts of the Rapid Response Team of our DSPN Section made a key difference in reversing a critical error in spine surgery coding policy.

In this issue, we present interviews with Vince Traynelis and John McGillicuddy, who will be the Meritorious Award recipients for Neurosurgery and Peripheral Nerve, respectively, at the upcoming Spine Summit Meeting in Orlando in March 2018. Also, Mike Wang gives us a look into The Future of Outpatient Lumbar Fusion. In our Peripheral Nerve learning corner, we explore the nuances of the motor examination of the hand that can aid immensely in diagnosing spinal versus peripheral nerve disorders. Finally, we have an update from the Payor Policy Committee.