Woodthorpe Hospital, part of Ramsay Health Care UK, is proud to share that Consultant Spinal Surgeon, Mr Elie Najjar, based at Woodthorpe Hospital, has recently been awarded Second Prize for 'Best of the Best' at the British Association of Spine Surgeons (BASS) Annual Meeting 2026 in Aberdeen.
The award recognises Mr Najjar’s work on Curved Narratives - a creative research project exploring how scoliosis and spinal deformity are represented in children’s films.
The project examines how these portrayals may influence perceptions of spinal conditions, including potential impacts on stigma, body image, identity, and the wider psychosocial experience of patients growing up with spinal deformity.
This unique piece of research was commended for its originality and its ability to bridge clinical expertise with creative media analysis. By combining insights from spine surgery with an exploration of storytelling in film, the project highlights the importance of understanding the human experience alongside clinical care.
Mr Najjar’s recognition at this prestigious national event reflects not only his dedication to advancing knowledge in spinal health, but also his commitment to improving patient understanding and outcomes through innovative thinking.
Miss Sabeen Akhtar, Group Medical Director RHC UK and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, said,
“Many congratulations to Mr Najjar for his achievement at BASS. It is always a pleasure to hear about and congratulate our consultant colleagues on positive achievements which aid in the delivery of outstanding clinical care for our patients”.
Paul Scott- Hospital Director at Woodthorpe commented,
"We are proud to have Mr Najjar working at Woodthorpe Hospital. Our patients are lucky to have access to a consultant that is driven and determined to make proactive steps in opening conversations around spinal surgery and making a real positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing"
Mr Najjar has recently been appointed as honorary assistant clinical professor at University of Nottingham. To mark Mr Najjar’s outstanding achievements, Paul Scott Woodthorpe Hospital Director met with Mr Najjar to show our support, appreciation and gratitude to his continuous dedication to his profession. "
Woodthorpe Hospital congratulates Mr Najjar on this outstanding achievement.
