Over 6100 neurosurgeons, nurses, physicians and other professionals from 48 countries gathered in Philadelphia for the 66 th Annual Meeting of The American Association of Neurological Surgeons from April 25-30, 1998.
William Chandler, MD, served as Annual Meeting Chairman, and the Meeting combined a solid Scientific Program with 8 scientific sessions, 30 hands-on clinics, 83 educational seminars, and 8 Joint Section Sessions with a strong mix of socioeconomic issues that are facing neurosurgeons. The Scientific Program was chaired by L.N. Hopkins, MD, and featured 130 research papers and 550 poster exhibits. Attendees also had the opportunity to view more than 520 technical and institutional exhibits that were on display.
Program Highlights
Ronald D.G. McKay, PhD, was the Decade of the Brain Medallist and delivered his lecture “From Stem Cells To Circuits, Early Steps In Brain Development” on Monday. The Medal has been given annually since 1991 to a distinguished neuroscientist for his contributions to brain research.
Also on Monday, Edward R. Laws, MD, delivered his Presidential Address, which focused on the history of neurosurgery, to a packed lecture hall. The full text of Dr. Laws remarks will be published in the December issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery.
On Tuesday, Gary G. Ferguson, MD, discussed the Final Results of North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarter-ectomy Trial (NASCET), which concluded that carotid endarterectomy is beneficial on patients with 70 percent or more stenosis. Robert Spetzler, MD, was the 1998 Richard C. Schneider Lecture and his presentation was entitled “Vascular Lesions of the Spinal Cord: New Concepts and Treatments.” The Cushing Oration was delivered by Eric Wieschaus, PhD, and he lectured on “What Fly Genes Can Tell Us About How Human Embryos Develop.”
On Wednesday, Axel Perneczky, MD, gave a special lecture on “The Future of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Neurosurgery.” There was also a Special Symposium on the Dramatic Socioeconomic Changes Affecting All Neurosurgeons, which was moderated by Stanley Pelofsky, MD, and panelists included Arthur L. Day, MD, Katie Orrico, JD, and John Kusske, MD.
Business Meeting
The Annual Business Meeting was held on Monday, April 27. Secretary Stanley Pelofsky, MD, reported on the Association’s activities for the year, and outgoing Treasurer Stewart Dunsker, MD, provided an update on AANS finances. Russell L. Travis, MD, was installed as the 66 th President of the AANS and Martin H. Weiss, MD, was elected President-Elect. In addition, Stewart Dunsker, MD, was elected Vice President and Roberto Heros, MD, was named Treasurer.
Award Winners
In addition to the Scientific Program, several members were honored for their contributions to the field of neurosurgery and the AANS:
Albert Rhoton, MD, Professor and Chairman of Neurological Surgery at the University of Florida, received the 1998 Cushing Medal, the Association’s highest honor. He was recognized for his many years of outstanding leadership and dedication to the field of neurosurgery. Dr. Rhoton has been President of both the AANS and CNS, and has published more than 200 scientific papers.
Lee Finney, MD, was named the 1998 Humanitarian Award winner in recognition of his many years of dedication to neurological science, medicine, and community service. Dr. Finney has made dozens of trip to Honduras, providing badly needed neurosurgial care to patients, and has played an integral role in developing a neurosurgical training program in that country.
Mark J. Kubala, MD, of Beaumont, Texas, received the 1998 Distinguished Service Award for his service to the medical field and neurosurgery. Dr. Kubala has held various AANS leadership positions and been an outspoken advocate for neurosurgery in the socioeconomic area. He also has been very active in the THINK First Foundation and in the medical community in Texas.
Kamal Thapar, MD, of the University of Toronto, was the recipient of the 1998 Van Wagenen Fellowship, which provides funds for a research fellowship outside of the North America for a year. Dr. Thapar will use the Fellowship to travel to the University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany to study under Professor Rudolf Fahlbusch and Dr. Michael Buchfelder.
Outstanding Researchers
A number of outstanding researchers were also singled out for honors, including:
Kenneth Shulman Memorial Award: Michael Drewek, MD, “Quantitative Analysis of the Toxicity of Human Amniotic Fluid to Rat Fetal Spinal Cord Cultures”
William H. Sweet Young Investigator Award in Pain Medicine: Ali R. Rezai, MD
Preuss Resident Award: Matthias M. Feldkamp, MD. “Expression of Growth Factor Receptors in Glioblastoma Multiforme Cell Lines and Tumor Specimens Results in Ras Activation and Ras-Dependent Tumor Proliferation.”
Mahaley Clinical Research Award: Prem Pillay, MD, “Endoscopic Transphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Tumors”
Young Investigator Award: Michael Hsiao, MD, “Mechanisms of p53 Induced “Bystander Effect” in Tumor Suppression: I. Evidence of Angiogenesis Inhibition in Vivo After Intratumoral Injections of p53/ Cationic Lipsome Complexes.