iSERF Members Gather in Seattle as New Initiatives Take Shape

The International Spinal Endoscopy Research Foundation (iSERF) brought members together for its General Body Meeting on Friday, July 17, 2026, during the Seattle Science Foundation event.

The gathering marked the first General Body Meeting led by iSERF President John Ogunlade. Members actively participated in the discussion, raised questions, shared ideas, and explored opportunities to strengthen the Foundation’s educational programming and membership benefits.

A major development from the meeting was the formation of a five-member subcommittee to evaluate a potential new benefit for Vanguard Members. The proposed initiative involves a possible collaboration with the Spine Healthy app, a platform designed to help surgeons track clinical outcomes and support quality improvement.

Under the concept presented, Vanguard Members could receive access to the platform as part of an enhanced membership offering. The proposal remains under review, and the subcommittee will examine its operational structure, financial arrangement, membership value, data considerations, and other factors before determining whether the collaboration should move forward.

Members discussed how the platform could serve as a practical quality-improvement resource for participating surgeons. They also considered its potential to support future research, provided that appropriate approvals, safeguards, and data protections are established.

The discussion reflects iSERF’s commitment to developing benefits that provide meaningful value in members’ professional practice. Under the Foundation’s bylaws, Vanguard Members are individuals who contribute at least $1,500 during the fiscal year and may receive additional recognition and benefits established by the organization.

The meeting also included updates on the inaugural iSERF Journal Club, a new global educational initiative that will bring members together to review current research, emerging techniques, and important developments in endoscopic spine surgery.

The Journal Club will provide a recurring forum for evidence-based discussion, allowing members to examine published studies, hear different clinical perspectives, ask questions, and consider how new findings may influence surgical practice and patient care.

Members also discussed the early development of an iSERF certification program focused on validating outcomes in endoscopic spine surgery. Although the concept remains in its initial stages, it reflects the Foundation’s broader interest in advancing quality, accountability, and confidence within the field.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate a forward-looking agenda under President Ogunlade’s leadership, centered on stronger education, measurable member value, responsible use of clinical data, and continued excellence in endoscopic spine surgery.

iSERF thanks everyone who participated and contributed to the July General Body Meeting. With the Journal Club approaching and several new initiatives taking shape, the Foundation is moving into its next chapter with strong member engagement and momentum.