Globalization has changed not only the world economy, but also the world of neurosurgery. A look at the AANS Annual Meeting Scientific Programs of recent years reveals the increasing participation of neurosurgeons from other continents, some of whom have trained in North America, but many of whom have not. Complementing the globalization of our meeting, our Active membership, which always included Canadians, has expanded to include neurosurgeons from Mexico. This expansion has positioned the AANS as the dominant organization for neurosurgery in North America.
International Membership
The AANS has traditionally had categories of membership for distinguished foreign neurosurgeons, namely the Honorary and International Associate membership categories. The latter category was restricted by the Bylaws to those “proposed and chosen because of their national and international recognition…” This requirement left no room for those neurosurgeons in pursuit of “international” recognition.
The level of interest in becoming an AANS member among neurosurgeons from abroad is increasing. At present, we have 594 members from 61 countries outside of the United States (see chart). This is largely due to the educational value of our Annual Meeting, but also to the other benefits of AANS membership, including our publications, specialty Sections, and educational courses. The recent growth in membership among our international contingency fits nicely with the AANS’ strategic plan to raise the quality of neurosurgical practice not only in North America, but throughout the world. To achieve this goal, and as a leadership society in the field, the AANS must remain an association of inclusion.
Change in Membership Status
In an effort to embrace international neurosurgeons, the AANS membership has before it proposed Bylaws that would broaden the International Associate category to include “neurological surgeons who are certified or recognized by the peer review process in their country, who give proof of good professional standing, and who hold an unrestricted license to practice medicine in their country.” (To review the proposed Bylaw changes, see page 36.)
Furthermore, an applicant for International Associate membership must, according to the proposed Bylaws, “…be proposed in writing by an International Associate or Active (Foreign) member and confirmed in writing by three AANS members, at least one of whom shall be an AANS Active, Active (Foreign), or International Associate member from the applicant’s country, or an individual of international stature in that country or geographic region. The proposal shall be submitted to the Adjunct Subcommittee on International Associate Membership at least 30 days prior to the Subcommittee’s meeting, at which the proposal will be considered, and must be accompanied by a curriculum vitae written in English.”
Enacting these proposed Bylaws will be good for the AANS, as well as for neurosurgeons around the globe.
Russel H. Patterson, Jr., MD, FACS, is Chair of the AANS Adjunct Subcommittee on International Associate Membership and Past President of the AANS.