The number of younger neurosurgeon members of the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies has increased significantly over the last 10 years, influenced partly by CSNS-sponsored programs designed to promote involvement of residents. Such programs are a clear demonstration of the CSNS’ commitment to addressing issues that concern all members of the neurosurgical workforce.
The growing number of younger CSNS members gave rise to the Young Physicians Committee. The YPC offers CSNS a fresh perspective on professional development and insight into socioeconomic concerns important to the younger neurosurgeon. The YPC officially meets twice a year during the regularly scheduled CSNS meeting. In the interim the YPC supports rapid communication via e-mail and e-blast to expedite the completion of ongoing work projects.
Topics that are discussed within the YPC include but are not limited to neurosurgical guidelines, job searches and the economics of practice initiation, board certification and maintenance of certification, work hours, and the adequacy of resident training as perceived by the neurosurgeons just starting their practices. This committee also contributes to the body of questions utilized by the SANS and MOC review courses. The YPC’s meaningful work products not only are reported to the CSNS, but also are shared with all neurosurgeons through publications in neurosurgical journals, CSNS forums and presentations at the CNS and AANS meetings.
Equally important, for residents and neurosurgeons who have recently joined practices and academic departments, the YPC is a springboard to their establishment as the future leaders of organized neurosurgery. Past members and chairs of this committee have contributed to a body of thought-provoking ideas and projects that concern socioeconomic issues, fostering a milieu for academic achievement and practice management satisfaction. Program directors recognize the positive impact of well-versed neurosurgical trainees and graduates and are supportive of resident involvement as the foundation of a well-informed future neurosurgical workforce.
The energetic chair of the Young Physicians Committee is Catherine Mazzola, MD. Her dedication has resulted in an influx of new committee members whose work fortifies and completes the work previously started by other chairpersons. New ideas flourish in this committee; recent undertakings such as the Brain Death Guidelines Project and Neurosurgery Residency Evaluations are among the important and stimulating projects that the YPC is currently orchestrating. Dr. Mazzola cultivates participation as a means of advocacy for young neurosurgeons, not only for themselves but also for their contemporaries.
Dr. Mazzola participates in an in-depth discussion of past, ongoing and exciting future projects for this committee in an interview, published at www.csnsonline.org, with Mick Perez-Cruet, MD, chair of the CSNS Editorial/Publication Committee.
Committee membership is not limited to CSNS delegates and appointees. Any neurosurgeon may volunteer to join this committee and should expect to become directly involved with ongoing duties.
Ann R. Stroink, MD, is a member of the Editorial/Publication Committee of the CSNS, https://www.csnsonline.org. The author reported no conflicts for disclosure.