A Letter from the President: 2020 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting Cancelled

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Dear AANS Members, Supporters and Friends:

The health, safety and well-being of our attendees, faculty, speakers, exhibitors and staff is of paramount importance. Given the latest information available, the AANS Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston, April 25-29.

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Our leadership and professional staff have been communicating daily to discuss recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), as well as authorities in Boston. We have also been tracking the travel policy restrictions affecting our members and attendees as many academic centers and health systems instituted travel bans or restrictions. It became clear that canceling is the right decision in order to protect the safety and well-being of meeting attendees. Furthermore, taking this action will ensure that our members, who represent a critical element of the healthcare workforce, are available to provide neurosurgical care to patients.

We want to thank the Annual Meeting Committee, Scientific Program Subcommittee, speakers, exhibitors, event partners, physician leaders and staff who worked for many months to deliver a spectacular program of education and events. The meeting was on track to break records. Advanced registration for an AANS Annual Scientific Meeting has never been higher. Record-breaking numbers of abstracts were submitted.

In the weeks ahead, we will tap into the innovative and ingenious spirit of this specialty to explore virtual options that deliver world-class education and offer CME to our members. While plans are nascent, we will keep our community apprised of our plans to deliver research, knowledge and expert insight in the weeks ahead.

Regular updates and announcements will be posted on the AANS website and our other member communication channels.

There has only been one other year in the past 88 that did not include an AANS meeting, in 1945, at the end of WWII. Then, as now, it was more important to have neurosurgeons ready for action.

It has been a privilege to lead the AANS through this extraordinary time. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we consider the rapidly changing circumstances along with the safety and well-being of not just our meeting participants and staff, but their families, colleagues and patients.

Stay well,

Christopher I. Shaffrey, MD, FAANS
AANS President

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