From April 26 to May 1, 6,433 participants, 2,864 of them medical registrants, focused their attention on the 2003 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the abundance of informative and “event-full” presentations it offered.
The meeting, chaired by Ralph G. Dacey Jr., MD, proved a resounding success by every measure. San Diego itself set the stage for science amidst a surfeit of sea and sun. The meeting’s theme, “Cultural Connections: Bringing Global Perspective to Neurosurgery” was reflected in every facet of the meeting, from international speakers to attendees, scientific presentations to special events.
William T. Couldwell, MD, PhD, chaired the scientific program, which featured 42 practical clinics, 75 breakfast seminars, three plenary sessions, six scientific sessions, three special courses, more than 500 poster abstracts, and 117 oral abstracts. In addition, AANS/CNS sections planned eight sessions that focused on neurosurgery’s subspecialties.
Special lecturers from across the globe represented different aspects of neurosurgery. They included: Madjid Samii, MD, PhD (Richard C. Schnieder Lecture) Neal F. Kassell, MD, (First Annual Van Wagenen Lecture) Fred H. Gage, PhD (Hunt-Wilson Lecture), James A. Johnson, MD (Rhoton Family Lecture), and M. Gazi Yasargil, MD (First Annual Kurze Lecture).
In all, neurosurgeons attending the meeting could earn 20 category 1 continuing medical education credits toward the American Medical Association’s Physician Recognition Award. An additional 24 credits could be earned by attending optional educational programs such as the practical clinics and breakfast seminars. As an added perk for members, these credits were “automatically” recorded for AANS members in their personalized online transcripts (see related articles in Education).
Other member benefits were showcased in the AANS Resource Center, centrally located in the exhibit hall. At the Resource Center, members were reacquainted with helpful aspects of their membership they may have forgotten, as well as introduced to several new benefits. The Technology Pavilion, which offered helpful classes on billing and compliance, PowerPoint presentations and more, was among the resources available there.
In the surrounding exhibit hall, 656 booths and 212 companies afforded attendees ample opportunity to explore the latest scientific advances in neurosurgical technology. Given the nearly one-to-one ratio between medical attendees and exhibitors, leading-edge equipment was available and questions could be answered promptly.
Concerns related to the socioeconomic aspects of neurosurgery were addressed in several programs. A number of these events took place before the Annual Meeting commenced, including the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies semiannual meeting; the first NERVES programs planned by and for practice managers; and the Japanese-American Friendship Symposium, which included a comparison of the Japanese and American healthcare systems as a complement to the clinical papers presented.
While the thread of socioeconomic concerns was woven throughout the Annual Meeting, one concern in particular was the focus of a new special course, “The 2003 Malpractice Crisis: Current Perspectives.” Moderated by David F. Jimenez, the panel of physicians and attorneys provided an in-depth view of the professional liability insurance, or PLI, crisis. Using wireless keypad technology, speakers were able to poll the audience for real-time feedback on the effects of the PLI crisis.
The President’s Perspective: Patients First
Presiding over the meeting, Roberto C. Heros, MD, targeted neurosurgeons’ concerns about the future of neurosurgical education and the PLI crisis in his Presidential Address, “Neurosurgical Education: The ‘Other’ Competencies.” In what he termed a “chat between friends and colleagues,” Dr. Heros offered his perspective, stressing the importance of intellectual hhonesty throughout his discussion of the competencies neurosurgeons must maintain to attain or retain board certification. “Our challenge as mentors is to instill in our trainees a commitment to enhancing the scientific foundation of our profession without becoming enslaved by the scientific method,” he said. Addressing the impact of the PLI crisis on neurosurgery, he stated, “The worst consequence of the medicolegal crisis is the deterioration of the physician-patient relationship. It is our responsibility and it is within our power to prevent this from happening…Always do what is best for the patient.”
Festivities Inspire Fun, Philanthropy
The Sunday evening opening reception, always a memorable event, featured international ports of call-Cairo, Rio de Janeiro, and Barcelona, among them-to stunning effect as daylight gave way to starlight under the massive “sails” of the convention center’s Sails Pavilion. Then delectable desserts and a night of dancing awaited guests at the second annual “Fun”draiser of the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF). Guilford Pharmaceuticals sponsored this event, entitled “The Last Port of Call,” and 400 guests showed their support of research and education by purchasing tickets and tables for the event fundraiser. In addition, the Young Neurosurgeons Committee raised $16,000 for NREF fellowships through the Fifth Annual Silent Auction. A hit among the 60 items featured was the first annual “Dinner with the Masters”-Arthur Day, MD, Peter Jannetta, MD, and Robert Spetzler, MD; the winning bidder was Thomas Flynn, MD. At the Donor/Award Winner Reception on Tuesday, NREF Chair Julian Hoff, MD, recognized the 2002 Campaign’s more than 600 contributors for their dedication and support of NREF.
Global Media Gets Connected To Neurosurgery
Media coverage of the Annual Meeting reached an estimated 84 million people-and counting-worldwide, mirroring the meeting’s overall success. The media kit and public relations efforts generated published articles covering the meeting in general, appointments to the AANS Executive Committee, and all seven scientific press releases.
A wide range of media exhibited interest in the Annual Meeting, from trade publications, newspapers, national television and radio stations to online publications and newswires across the United States and overseas. The Washington Post; Globe and Mail (Toronto); WebMD; Kiplinger.com; HealthScout; The Times of India (New Delhi, India); ESPN.com; USA Today; Associated Press; ABC; and CNN are some of the media that covered the meeting.
Radio Interviews Connect Neurosurgeons With Hometowns
A total of 54 AANS members participated in radio interviews that were recorded during the meeting. Each member’s one-minute neurosurgical message was broadcast to radio stations in his or her own hometown. The interviews, heard on 1,847 radio stations nationwide by a combined total audience of more than 49 million listeners, “sounded” like this:
Voiceover: Innovations and research in neurosurgery are being shared as the American Association of Neurological Surgeons convenes its Annual Meeting. These innovations result in the newest breakthroughs and improvements in healthcare.
Dr. Alex Valadka is from Baylor College of Medicine and Ben Taub Hospital. He spoke to reporter Christopher Michael about the importance of being careful when you’re out there exercising and playing this summer.
Christopher Michael: Well, we all look forward to getting outside and doing a lot of exciting activities, but we need to be careful, too, don’t we?
Dr. Valadka: Absolutely. As the days get longer and the weather is warmer, people spend more time outside, especially after the school year ends. It is important that people remember to take a few basic safety precautions. Things like wearing your bike helmet, wearing a helmet if you rollerblade or skate or play baseball; things like never diving into the shallow end of a pool, and if you”re not sure how deep the water is, always go with your feet first the first time. Unfortunately in our line of work we’ve seen people who’ve forgotten to do these things if even for a brief moment, and that moment has come back to haunt many of them the rest of their lives.
Manda J. Seaver is staff editor of the Bulletin.
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An Impassioned Appeal The 2003 AANS Annual Meeting proved an opportune vehicle for launching Neurosurgeons to Preserve Health Care Access (NPHCA). Stewart B. Dunsker, MD, who is pictured in the NPHCA booth (on the right) with AANS Treasurer Arthur L. Day, center, and another neurosurgeon, serves as NPHCA president. NPHCA is the 501(c)(4) organization formed to allow maximum flexibility for funding neurosurgery’s aggressive public education and advocacy campaign aimed at passing federal medical liability reform legislation. Dr. Dunsker’s impassioned appeal for every neurosurgeon to contribute $1,000 during the meeting was amply rewarded. According to Katie Orrico, director of the AANS/CNS Washington Office, following the meeting the campaign fund totaled $500,000 toward the goal of $3 million. The Fall 2003 Bulletin will focus on neurosurgery’s campaign for federal medical liability reform. In the meantime, questions about NPHCA can be directed to Katie Orrico at (202) 628-2883, or visit the Web site, https://www.neuros2preservecare.org (available this fall). |
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Awards and Honors Cushing Medalist Stewart B. Dunsker, MD, was honored as the 2003 Cushing Medalist. In presenting the AANS’ highest award, Roberto C. Heros, MD, commended Dr. Dunsker for inspiring “legions of neurosurgeons to emulate his humanity, highest standards of ethical behavior and concern for his patients.” “I am honored today more than I can describe or show,” said Dr. Dunsker, a past president of the AANS who currently heads Neurosurgeons to Preserve Health Care Access. Established in 1977, the Cushing Medal is awarded to a member who displays unparalleled and distinguished service to the entire field of neurosurgery. Each year the AANS Awards Committee recommends a candidate to the Board of Directors, which makes the final selection. Distinguished Service Awardee Troy M. Tippett, MD, was presented withthe 2003 Distinguished Service Award. Roberto C. Heros, MD, introduced Dr. Tippett as “a man who has worked longer and harder for neurosurgery than anyone I know.” Dr. Tippet, a former president of the Florida Neurosurgical Society, was recognized in part for his role as a leader in the fight for relief of the professional liability insurance crisis. “I haven’t done anything more or less than anyone out there would do if they had the same opportunity to serve this great organization,” said Dr. Tippett. “Thanks for the opportunity to serve.” The Distinguished Service Awardee is chosen annually by the AANS president with consent of the Executive Committee. Van Wagenen Fellow Odette A. Harris, MD, is the 2003 Van Wagenen Fellow. Pictured at the Van Wagenen Past Fellows Luncheon, she explains how she will put her $45,000 fellowship to work. Dr. Harris will evaluate the management of traumatic brain injury in the developing world at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica, and compare the outcomes to those in an indigent setting within the United States. She plans to pursue an academic career in neurosurgery with a focus on neurotrauma. The Van Wagenen Fellowship, first awarded in 1968, provides a stipend for living and travel expenses during post-resident neurosurgical study in a foreign country for six to 12 months. Applications for the 2004 fellowship are due Oct. 1. |
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Making Cultural Connections |