Dr. NaPier named Top 20 Spine Surgeon under age 40: NaPier Leads Through Education, Innovation

Dr. NaPier was named to the North American Spine Society (NASS) 7th Annual 20 Under 40 Class. SpineLine's 20 Under 40 program began in 2018 to honor outstanding young spine care professionals under the age of 40 who demonstrate remarkable achievements, community service, and dedication to advancing spine care. This initiative celebrates the future leaders of spine care, recognizing their contributions and potential. Previous honorees have gone on to serve in leadership roles for NASS committees, spine-related journals, and the NASS board of directors.

Per SpineLine Magazine:

https://spinelinemag.spine.org/septoct24/spinelines-2024-20-under-40-class-profiles?overlay=NaPier

Dr. Zachary NaPier’s journey to becoming a leading figure in spine surgery began with his father, a former chief of otolaryngology at Kaiser Permanente in Honolulu, HI.

“My initial exposure to medicine came from my father,” NaPier said. “His work ethic and commitment to his patients impressed me, and I remember even at a young age being very proud of the positive impact he made. As a mathematics major and former collegiate golfer, I wanted a career that blended meticulous preparation and execution to provide efficient, elegant solutions to complex problems. I also enjoy helping people return to the activities they love.”

NaPier’s career was significantly shaped by his mentors. “In residency, Dr. David Skaggs taught me to inspire and motivate a high-functioning surgical team by emphasizing patient safety, personal accountability, and technical efficiency.”

Another pivotal figure was Dr. James Kang, who inspired him with his commitment to clinical and research excellence as well as his passion for spine surgery. “Even after performing 13,000 surgeries, Dr. Kang approached each patient with optimism and enthusiasm.”

One of NaPier’s key achievements was his early adoption and expertise in Prone Transpsoas Lateral Interbody Fusion (PTP LIF), a minimally invasive spine surgery technique. His study, “Prone transpsoas lateral interbody fusion with anterior docking: preliminary functional and radiographic outcomes,” published in the December 2023 edition of NASSJ, is the largest single-surgeon case series of this technique to include clinical and radiographic outcomes. “It is the first study to describe results from anterior docking, a technique modification that may result in increased segmental lordosis and reduced incidence of neurologic complications,” NaPier explains.

NaPier is dedicated to education, frequently teaching the PTP LIF technique to surgeons and trainees. He recently served as faculty at the inaugural Lumbar Spine Research Society Hands-On Surgical Techniques Course hosted by Indiana Spine Group.

Among NaPier’s proudest accomplishments is his work with PTP LIF. “While other aspects of orthopedic surgery such as hip and knee arthroplasty have already experienced their paradigm shift, spine surgery is still ripe for innovation,” he says. “I think PTP LIF is our game-changing technique, and it is now up to us to refine the operation and prove its efficacy through rigorous clinical research.”

NaPier has authored numerous clinical and basic science manuscripts, presentations, and textbook chapters. His work has earned him grants and recognition from several spine-related societies. “It is a privilege to represent Indiana Spine Group and provide world-class spine care to the hard-working populations of Lafayette, West Lafayette, and the Greater Indianapolis area,” he said.

His philosophy of care is centered on patient education and minimally invasive techniques. “My goal is to evaluate your condition, relieve your pain, and restore your function using the most effective, least-invasive techniques available,” he explains. “I will help you understand your symptoms and treatment options so that you can make informed decisions.”

In his personal life, NaPier enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife, also a physician in Indianapolis, and their son, Duke. His dedication to both his family and his profession exemplifies his balanced and compassionate approach to life and medicine.

Please call 765 650 0680 to see if Dr. NaPier can help with any spine related issues! Almost all insurances accepted including Anthem (Elevance) and United Healthcare (UHC).