Neurosurgeons in New Orleans

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International Events at the 2018 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting

The 86th AANS Annual Scientific Meeting took place in New Orleans, a city that shared its own lessons about success in the face of adversity. This year New Orleans celebrated 300 years of tradition since its founding in 1718. The city grew up around what is currently Jackson Square and changed hands between the French and the Spanish before the United States acquired it as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The various inhabitants over the years layered their cultures on New Orleans, while outside influences shaped the city because of its position on the banks of the Mississippi River.

The twentieth century saw New Orleans develop as the birthplace of jazz and expand its footprint with new technology. The start of the twenty-first century brought destruction in the form of Hurricane Katrina, but also resilience and rebirth. New Orleans provided the perfect backdrop to review lessons learned and celebrate successes large and small and the privilege of service as a neurosurgeon.    

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International Symposium and Collaborating Societies

The international attendees shared their own successes and lessons learned throughout the annual meeting, especially during the two-day International Symposium. This symposium brings together neurosurgical leaders from around the world and is open to all annual meeting attendees.

This year there were six modules represented, including stereotactic and functional, pediatric, neurotrauma, spine, cerebrovascular and trauma. Over 50 speakers from 25 countries were represented. The AANS is grateful for the support of the collaborating international societies that make planning for an international event of this magnitude possible.

This year, the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and the Continental Association of African Neurosurgical Societies (CAANS) acted as collaborating societies. In addition to their help organizing the scientific program, EANS President Jesus Lafuente, MD, and CAANS President Abderrahmane Sidi Said, MD, both presented in the Spine Section of the International Symposium. AANS looks forward to attending the 3rd Congress of CAANS in Abuja, Nigeria, from July 24-26, 2018, and the 2018 EANS Congress in Brussels October 21-25, 2018.

The International Symposium will be available soon to all 2018 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting attendees on the AANS Online Education webpage. For international neurosurgeons unable to attend our meeting, the presentations will be available for purchase.

International Award Recipients

Every year, the AANS honors global service and research through international awards. The highest honor is the International Lifetime Recognition Award, which pays tribute to the lifelong contributions of a neurosurgeon outside of the United States and Canada. This year’s recipient, Jeffrey V. Rosenfeld, MD, MS, IFAANS, of Australia, has served the field of neurosurgery in numerous capacities and has accumulated an extensive list of milestones and accomplishments that continue to help people with life-threatening and life-changing illnesses and disabilities.  

Dr. Rosenfeld’s contributions to neurosurgery includes the development of a new operative approach-the Rosenfeld approach- to remove hypothalamic hamartomas, which cause severe seizures in children. Currently, he is working on bionic vision prosthesis at the Monash Institute of Medical Engineering (MIME). Notably, he is a serious clarinetist and was recently awarded Australia’s highest honor, Companion of the Order of Australia.                  

In his experience, the best neurosurgeons are “knowledgeable and familiar with the evidence base. They are compassionate, kind, courteous, honest and caring. They are excellent clinicians, they put the patient first, they have attention to detail, skilled hands, consummate judgement. They lead change by doing research and they are fine teachers and mentors.” This also seems an apt description for Dr. Rosenfeld himself. The AANS congratulates him for his contributions to neurosurgery.   

The Best International Abstract Award recognized Yu Lei, MD, from China, who presented on Brain Functional Reconfiguration and Cognitive Impairment in Adult Moyamoya Disease: a Resting-state FMRI Study. The International Travel Award was given to Rajendra Shrestha, MBBS, PhD, from Nepal, who presented his Study of Thymosin alpha 1 and its effect in postoperative ICH patients.  


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International Board Liaisons

There are many international neurosurgeons that played a visible role in the scientific program during the 2018 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting. At the same time, many work behind the scenes to advance international neurosurgical initiatives and deliver high quality education to their peers globally. Representatives from four continental societies were present at the AANS Board of Directors’ Meeting, along with representation from the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS).

CAANS President Dr. Sidi Said; EANS President Dr. Lafuente; WFNS President Franco Servadei, MD; and Federación Latinoamericana de Sociedades de Neurocirugía (FLANC) President Marcus Jose Rotta, MD, attended.

International Reception

All of the hard work leading up to the annual meeting was celebrated on Monday evening at the International Reception, attended by the International Board Liaisons, AANS leadership and many other international dignitaries. The event was held at the New Orleans Museum of Art, one of the oldest fine art institutions in the United States and home to 40,000 pieces from around the world. Guests were treated with access to galleries while enjoying drinks, appetizers and each other’s company. 

International Booth Resource Center

The International Booth in the AANS Resource Center annually serves as a resource to international attendees throughout the meeting. This year the booth debuted its new centerpiece of 105 flags, each one representing a country where AANS members live and serve the field of neurosurgery. The International Lounge on the exhibit floor was a new addition this year and provided a welcoming place for international members.   

Join the AANS for the 2019 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego and enjoy discussing and celebrating another year of discoveries and accomplishments.

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