Global Perspectives – Annual Meetings Special Lectures Offer Excellence Experience Wisdom

With the 71st Annual Meeting on the horizon, renowned speakers from around the world prepare to deliver special lectures during “Cultural Connections: Bringing Global Perspective to Neurosurgery,” to be held April 26-May 1, 2003, in San Diego. This year, in addition to the Cushing Oration, delivered by Henry A. Kissinger, PhD, five lectures highlight the comprehensive scientific program of 42 practical clinics, 76 breakfast seminars 121 oral papers, and more than 550 posters. “We canvassed the globe to find the right mix of excellence, experience and wisdom,” said AANS President Roberto C. Heros. “We are honored to welcome these exceptional individuals to our meeting and look forward to hearing the unique perspective of each.”

Richard C. Schneider Lecture — Monday, April 28
Madjid Samii, MD, PhD, a neurosurgeon from Hanover, Germany, is currently president of the International Neuroscience Institute, and honorary president of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies. His fields of research and academic interest include surgery of peripheral nerves, cranial nerves, vertebral column, skull base pathology and syringomelia. Dr. Samii received his medical degree from the Medical School University of Mainz, Germany, in 1963, and completed his residency in 1970 at the Neurosurgical Department of the University of Mainz, Germany, where he served as associate professor, professor and vice director and chairman of the Neurosurgical Department.

First Annual Van Wagenen Lecture — Thursday, May 1
Neal F. Kassell, MD, is the distinguished professor and co-chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Virginia. Dr. Kassell specializes in patients with cerebrovascular disease, and his research focuses on intracranial aneurysms, as well as information technology. In addition to U.Va. neurosurgery residents, he has trained more than 50 research fellows from 11 countries. He is a member of numerous medical societies in the United States and abroad and has been a recipient of the McKenzie Memorial Award of the Canadian Neurosurgical Society.

Hunt-Wilson Lecture — Tuesday, April 29
Fred H. Gage, PhD, is a professor in the Salk Institute’s Laboratory of Genetics. He currently is studying the cellular, molecular, and environmental influences that regulate neurogenesis in the adult brain and spinal cord in the belief that, by understanding the basic mechanisms that control and regulate adult neuronal adaptability, rational approaches to repair may be possible. Dr. Gage, who received his PhD in 1976 from Johns Hopkins University, has been with the Salk Institute since 1995. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, among them the 1993 Charles A. Dana Award for Pioneering Achievements in Health and Education, the Christopher Reeve Research Medal in 1997, and the 1999 Max Planck Research Prize.

Rhoton Family Lecture — Wednesday, April 30
James A. Johnson, MD, is rear admiral of the Medical Corps, United States Navy, and commander, Naval Medical Center San Diego/Lead Agent, TRICARE Region Nine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Rochester in New York and served both his internship and residency at the University of California at Los Angeles. Before assuming command of the Naval Medical Center San Diego — the largest, most technologically advanced medical center in the military — Rear Admiral Johnson served in critical positions at a variety of afloat and ashore commands. He is the recipient of numerous military decorations recognizing his meritorious service.

First Annual Kurze Lecture — Wednesday, April 30
M. Gazi Yasargil, MD, considered one of neurosurgery’s pioneers, is professor of neurosurgery, College of Medicine, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and professor and chairman emeritus, Department of Neurosurgery at University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland. Dr. Yasargil was involved with the development of cerebral angiography and he introduced stereotactic surgery and high-frequency coagulation technique in Switzerland. He developed the counter-balanced operating microscope and numerous microsurgical instruments, and pioneered microsurgical approaches and treatments. The six-volume publication Microneurosurgery (1984-1996) is the comprehensive review of his broad experiences. Dr. Yasargil has received major awards and prizes, among them the highly regarded Marcel Benoit Prize from the Swiss Federal Government in 1975 and the “Man of the Century 1950-1999” honor by Neurosurgery.