Toronto will become the center of the neurosurgical universe from April 21-26 as the 69th Annual Meeting of the AANS convenes in that cosmopolitan Canadian city. The theme of this year’s annual meeting is “Leading Neurosurgery through Science, Education, Innovation.” An outstanding program for members has been planned.
“President Stewart B. Dunsker, MD, and the Planning Committee have organized a superb educational program,” said Paul C. McCormick, MD, AANS Annual Meeting Chair. “The Local Arrangement Chairs, Dr. and Mrs. James Rutka and Dr. and Mrs. M. Christopher Wallace, have planned a wonderful selection of tours and evening events that showcase all that Toronto has to offer.”
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Opening Reception: Sunday, April 22, 6:30 p.m., Constitution Hall, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building. The AANS will welcome members to the 69th Annual Meeting with a spectacular reception. Toronto boasts the third-largest theater district in the world and the Opening Reception theme will pay tribute to six fantastic productions that have graced the Toronto stage. What a perfect place for you to visit with colleagues while enjoying a lavish display of hors d’oeuvres and beverages!
- Special Lecture I: Monday April 23, 11:40 a.m. Albert L. Rhoton Jr., MD, will deliver an interesting presentation on microsurgery. Dr. Rhoton is a past president of the AANS, former professor of surgery and chief of the Division of Neurological Surgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine.
- Presidential Address: Monday, April 23, 12:30 p.m. Stewart B. Dunsker, MD, will be introduced by AANS Vice President John A. Kusske, MD.
- Special Lecture II: Tuesday, April 24, 9:15 a.m. AANS members are invited to attend a special presentation by Alan R. Hudson, MD, retired president and CEO of the University Health Network in Toronto, former Chair of Surgery and Surgeon-in-Chief at The Toronto Hospital and recipient of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest honor for lifetime achievement. Dr. Hudson will discuss “The Canadian Health Care System: Lessons for the U.S.?”
- Cushing Oration: Tuesday, April 24, 10:05 a.m. Tom Brokaw, anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News”, winner of every prestigious award in the field of broadcast journalism and author of The Greatest Generation, will deliver this year’s Cushing Oration.
- Special Lecture III: Hunt Wilson Lecture: Wednesday, April 25, 11:15 a.m. Dennis W. Choi, MD, a leading expert in spinal cord injury research, will speak on “Molecular Mechanisms of Ischemia and Brain Protection.” Dr. Choi is the Andrew B. and Gretchen P. Jones Professor and Head of the Neurology Department at the Washington University School of Medicine and Neurologist-in-Chief at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
- Special Symposium: Wednesday, April 24, 11:45 a.m. George S. Conomikes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Conomikes Associates, Inc., a medical practice management consulting firm, will speak on “What Neurosurgeons Need to Know to Be in Compliance.” An economist, Conomikes taught at the University of Chicago while serving as head of the Commerce Department.
John A. Kusske, MD, Professor of Clinical Neurosurgery at the University of California, Irvine, California, Chief of Neurosurgery and Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the UCIMC, will speak on “Regulatory Issues, the OIG and Your Practice.” Dr. Kusske served for several years on the AANS/CNS Washington Committee for Neurosurgery and writes regularly about the regulatory mechanisms that affect neurosurgeons.
- Young Neurosurgeons Session: Wednesday, April 25, 1 p.m. Roberto C. Heros, MD, an international leader in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery, will offer “Advice to a Young Neurosurgeon from Another Young Neurosurgeon.” Dr. Heros is Professor, Co-Chairman and Director of the Residency Training Program at the University of Miami, AANS Treasurer, President of the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons and founding Chairman of the International Academy of Neurovascular Committee of the World Federation of Neurological Societies.
- Wines of the World Reception: Wednesday, April 25, 6:30 p.m., Dominion Ballroom, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. Enjoy fine wines from four continents at this wine-tasting event, held in lieu of the Annual Reception and Banquet. Select winery representatives and distributors will answer your questions and guide your choices as you sample wines and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres.
- Special Course I: Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Thursday, April 26, 9:45 a.m. Expert faculty will discuss a variety of surgical techniques for minimally invasive spinal surgery, including microsurgical endoscopic discectomy (MED), thoracoscopy, laparoscopy, retroperitoneal endoscopy, vertebroplasty and IDET procedures.
- Special Course II: Advances in Neurosurgical Imaging Thursday, April 26, 9:45 a.m. This course focuses on new techniques in nervous system imaging including three- dimensional reconstruction, fMRI, MR spectroscopy, ultrasound, SPECT, PET and intraoperative MRI.
- Special Course III: Endovascular Surgery versus Microsurgery Thursday, April 26, 9:45 a.m. This course provides an update on the management of cerebral aneurysms using endovascular and microsurgical methods.
HONORS AND AWARDS
In addition to the Scientific Program, the following AANS members will be recognized with honors:
- Julian T. Hoff, MD, will receive the 2001 Cushing Medal on Tuesday, April 24, at 10 a.m.
- Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, will receive the 2001 Van Wagenen Fellowship on Tuesday, April 24, at 1 p.m.
- Frank P. Smith, MD, and Donald H. Stewart, MD, will receive the 2001 Distinguished Service Award on Monday, April 23 at 10:15 a.m.
- Gary VanderArk, MD, will receive the 2001 Humanitarian Award on Tuesday, April 24 at 1:35 p.m.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you’re interested in playing an integral role in the AANS Annual Meeting, the Marshal’s Subcommittee is the place to start. Volunteering will allow you to meet senior members of the organization and to attend the session you marshal free of charge. Some of the Marshal’s responsibilities include ticket collection, evaluation form distribution and collection and audiovisual assistance at Breakfast Seminars and Practical Clinics. Interested? Call the AANS at (888) 566-AANS, ext. 531 or send an e-mail to [email protected].