Renowned for its year-round idyllic climate, San Diego long has been a destination for travelers around the world. In addition to 70 miles of pristine beaches, the Southern California city boasts a dazzling array of attractions, including the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, SeaWorld San Diego, charming neighborhoods and communities-downtown’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado, La Jolla-and myriad sporting activities as well as cultural offerings, known as “art and sol” in a city that celebrates sun.
Against the backdrop of a city where each day’s dawn holds the promise of a glorious sunset, with endless opportunities to see and do in between, the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons is renewed in its 71st year through a fresh approach to its core attraction of scientific programs and a panoramic view of neurosurgery.
Emblematic of new vistas in neurosurgery open to exploration at this annual meeting, the theme “Cultural Connections: Bringing Global Perspective to Neurosurgery,” was chosen by AANS President Roberto C. Heros, MD.
Scientific Program: Reaching Out to the World
Scientific Program Chair William T. Couldwell, MD, said, “This year, in keeping with our meeting theme, we are making every effort to involve top neurosurgical colleagues from around the world. By doing so, all of us will benefit from the exchange of cutting-edge research and fascinating ideas that are being explored in North America and beyond.”
He noted that the Scientific Program Committee actively solicited prominent international neurosurgeons for abstracts that would deepen the pool of excellent oral papers. In addition, the program was restructured to facilitate inclusion of various points of view. For example, this year each breakfast seminar moderator, rather than the committee, is charged with selecting their program’s speakers.
Other changes involve augmenting sessions that have proven popular in recent years and adding new programs that advance science. “The plenary session is extended to Wednesday to accommodate the best oral papers,” Dr. Couldwell explained. “The special courses on Thursday include world-renowned neurosurgeons focusing on aneurism treatment, a course on contemporary management of the spine, and, regarding practice management, an update on legislative issues, including EMTALA and HIPAA.”
In addition, the special lectures-among them the inaugural Kurze Lecture, to be given by Gazi Yasargil, MD, and the second Rhoton Family Lecture, to be delivered by Rear Admiral James A. Johnson, commander of the Naval Medical Center in San Diego-will be interspersed with the oral presentations. A new 30-minute point-counterpoint session is intended to stimulate discussion of controversial clinical issues.
“”Our goal is to make this meeting the premier neurosurgical event in the world,” said Dr. Couldwell, himself a native of Canada who trained in Europe. “I think it will be.”
Manda J. Seaver is staff editor of the Bulletin.
| Land of the Rising Sun – City of the Setting Sun: Japanese-American Neurological Friendship Symposium Building on the success of the 2002 Francophone Symposium, AANS extends its hand in friendship across the Pacific to Japan. Members of the Japan Neurosurgical Society (JNS) will be the honored guests of the AANS in San Diego for the Japanese-American Neurosurgical Friendship Symposium, organized by Christopher M. Loftus, MD and Kiyonobu Ikezaki, MD. During the symposium, scheduled for Friday, April 25, from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., members of the AANS and JNS will address topics concerning Japan’s healthcare system, new surgical instruments, endovascular neurosurgery, molecular neurosurgery, and more. Conducted in English, the program will commence in segments of one topic illuminated by two oral papers given by Japanese neurosuuurgeons, followed by discussion led by two AANS members. An evening reception will cap the program, allowing time for cultural, as well as scientific, exchange. |
| What’s New For 2003 71st AANS Annual Meeting April 26-May 1, 2003 San Diego Convention Center Annual Meeting Chair: Ralph G. Dacey, MD Scientific Program Chair: William T. Couldwell, MD
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Henry A. Kissinger, PhD
Cushing Orator
As America confronts terrorism on home soil, honored statesman Henry A. Kissinger, PhD, will provide his truly global perspective on current world events. The 2003 Cushing Orator, born in Germany, is a naturalized United States citizen who is the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the nation’s highest civilian award) and the Medal of Liberty (given one time to 10 foreign-born American leaders).
Dr. Kissinger, America’s first name in geopolitical opinion, is praised as one of the most brilliant secretaries of state in the history of our nation. World-renowned for his unparalleled skills in the art of diplomacy, Dr. Kissinger understands first-hand the delicate balance of world power and America’s place in it.
Secretary of state under Presidents Nixon and Ford, Dr. Kissinger was also national security adviser for six years. He was a key negotiator of the withdrawal of American forces from Vietnam, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize.
His recent book, Does America Need A Foreign Policy, debuted to critical acclaim. The American Library Association commented on the book: “Can anyone think Kissinger would answer the question posed in his book’s title with a no? Of course America needs a foreign policy, and Kissinger is just the man to tell us what it is. Having spent much of the 1970s and 1980s in or near the corridors of power, practicing realpolitik at the State Department and National Security Council, Kissinger has his own analysis of the special challenges the U.S. faces in the new century.”
Dr. Kissinger’s previous book, Years of Renewal, the third and final volume of his memoirs, also received high praise. According to The New York Times, “Mr. Kissinger demonstrates that he is not only a formidable diplomat but an engaging storyteller as well, and he treats episodes of diplomacy as narratives, complete with interesting characters, plenty of dramatic tension, and, obviously, high stakes.”
In his public appearances Dr. Kissinger shares the nuances and principles of the art of diplomacy. Drawing on his past experiences with some of the most important foreign ppoolicy leaders of our time, as well as his current work as an international corporate consultant, he advances our understanding of international relations and the resulting impact on our domestic economy and security. Dr. Kissinger expertly shares the lessons of the past-throughout time and particularly through our modern history-to summarize the strength of America’s global position today
Manda J. Seaver is staff editor of the Bulletin.
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