Many people think of Cancún bordering the Caribbean Sea or Acapulco along Mexico’s western coastline when planning their next escape from reality. Both offer numerous beaches, all-inclusive resorts and warm weather year round. However, there is another spot sometimes overlooked by foreign tourists, but well-known by Mexican tourists, that has everything you could want. According to the guide Lonely Planet, Mazatlán comes complete with “miles of sandy beaches, year-round warm climate, a beautifully restored colonial old town and top-quality seafood.”
Mazatlán, México is an authentic Mexican seaside paradise for travelers willing to break stride with typical tourists and had everything a neurosurgeon could possibly want when paradise met neurosurgery at the Congreso Mexicano de Cirugía Neurológica, or the Mexican Congress of Neurological Surgery, held on August 2 -7, 2015.
Current and past leaders from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) were warmly welcomed by Blas E. López-Félix, MD, FAANS, the 2013-2015 President of the Mexican Society of Neurological Surgery (SMCN), as well as the president of the organizing committee of this year’s congress. Dr. López-Félix also serves as liaison to the AANS board of directors, bringing the interests of the AANS members certified by the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery.
The Mexican Congress started on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, with an afternoon joint symposium featuring current and former AANS and SMCN leaders discussing leadership and globalization in neurosurgery. This got the congress off to a strong start under the banner “Por la Excelencia en Cirugía Neurológica” or “For Excellence in Neurological Surgery,” as these same internationally focused leaders were given opportunities to share their research throughout the scientific program to follow, promoting neurosurgical excellence.
Two AANS leaders that were present at the 23rd Mexican Congress Neurological Surgery were AANS president-elect Frederick A. Boop, MD, FAANS; and AANS vice president Deborah L. Benzil, MD, FAANS. Below they share their experiences and vision for future collaboration:
What was your favorite memory from the trip?
Frederick A. Boop, MD (FAB) — I felt very welcomed in this delightful, tight-knit group. One day, local neurosurgeons invited me to lunch at a beach house restaurant, and we shared good conversation about bringing together the world of neurosurgery over a plate of shrimp. Then, Dr. López-Félix invited me to sit at his table with his family during the president’s dinner. It was great getting to know his family. I appreciated the sense of camaraderie during this meeting.
What would you like to share with others about the congress?
Deborah L. Benzil, MD (DLB) — We were instantly welcomed with open arms and considered part of the education team. I walked away from the congress thinking that as much as U.S. neurosurgeons are under fire from different sources, we forget that we have a privileged place in neurosurgery. Neurosurgeons in different countries, like Mexico, face different challenges; however, I am always so impressed with how they meet these challenges, never sacrificing high-quality patient care.
Why did you want to attend and present at the SMCN meeting?
FAB — Dr. López-Félix regularly attends AANS executive committee meetings as a board liaison. However, Mexican neurosurgeons are not serving on AANS committees. His presidency is coming to a close, and I wanted to support his vision to introduce AANS leadership to Mexican neurosurgeons so that these individuals can strengthen AANS moving forward in the different sections.
How have you seen the relationship between AANS and SMCN grow over the years?
DLB — Dr. López-Félix has worked side-by-side with AANS leadership, and his dedication to the AANS executive committee over the past years inspired a reciprocal response to support our members in Mexico. Relationships have grown because of connections made between neurosurgeons in meetings such as this one. The relationship will continue to grow as more connections are made.
What advancements in neurosurgery were made at the SMCN Congress?
FAB — This was the biggest meeting for the Mexican Society so far and the first time it was held in a convention center. There were about 500-600 neurosurgeons in attendance, so their congress is experiencing great growth. There were conferences and breakfast seminars on using an endoscope for skull base surgery. Endoscopic surgery is gaining traction there just like in the U.S.
What are the differences between the AANS and SMNC? What similarities bring the two organizations together?
DLB — The Mexican Society has a finely tuned organizational structure and, although the depth of meeting opportunities may be limited by the size of the conference, the breadth of meeting offerings is not. The content of the meeting is very similar to what you would find at an AANS meeting. Also, an interesting fact is that the first woman neurosurgeon in the U.S. and in Mexico starting practicing within a year of each other. I think this speaks to similar growth in neurosurgery in both countries.
Where would you like to see the relationship between AANS and SMCN in the future?
FAB — Many Mexican neurosurgeons attend the AANS Annual Scientific Meetings, and spending a week at the AANS meeting takes time away from their practices. Meetings are important because they provide opportunities to build connections. The Mexican Society is a great place for all AANS members to build connections with their colleagues.
We should also open the doors to younger neurosurgeons from Mexico at large centers in the U.S. for observerships or residency programs. Perhaps, through work with the Neurosurgery Research Education Foundation (NREF), a basic science clinician fellowship could be created. There are also opportunities through the N2QOD registry for future collaborations between U.S. and Mexican neurosurgeons.
DLB — The main thing that AANS worked on with its members from Mexico and the Mexican Society is the parameters of resident education and training. This will serve to set milestones that represent certain competencies needed to practice.
Also, in the past during my travels, whether for business or leisure, I have taken the approach of contacting local neurosurgeons and have had some wonderful experiences connecting with these individuals. I strongly encourage all U.S. neurosurgeons to reach out and participate in the Mexican Society Congress or reach out to other neurosurgeons during a trip to Mexico or elsewhere, whether it be for business or for leisure. In this way, the world of neurosurgery becomes a closer knit community.
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