Robert E. Draba, PhD, has been named Executive Director of The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). The announcement of his appointment was made by AANS President J. Charles Rich, Jr., MD, during the Association’s Annual Meeting. Dr. Draba’s appointment became effective on May 1.
“We are very pleased to have Dr. Draba join the AANS” said Dr. Rich. “He comes to us with outstanding credentials in both graduate medical education and association management. His considerable skills in long-range planning and personnel manage ment, experience with medical specialty accreditation, and knowledge of health care financing and administration also will be significant assets to the Association.”
Dr. Draba succeeds Carl H. Hauber, JD, CAE, who retired after 19 years of service as AANS Executive Director. His appointment came after a five-month national search by a specially-appointed Search Committee, chaired by Immediate -Past President Sidney Tolchin, MD. Other committee members were Dr. Rich, Edward Laws, MD, William Buchheit, MD, Martin Weiss, MD, Stewart Dunsker, MD, Edward Seljeskog, MD, and Julian Hoff, MD.
A recognized expert in the field of medical education, Dr. Draba has written extensively on such topics as evaluating medical school applicants and physician interns, test bias, physician placement, impact of medical school on marriage, and gender-related attitudinal differences in the learning environment. He also has been a frequent speaker at medical seminars and conferences, addressing such concerns as residency training, faculty and curriculum development, and improving evaluation methods for educational programs.
Dr. Draba’s academic preparation includes earning an MBA, as well as an MST and PhD in education administration and psychometrics from the University of Chicago. He also holds a BS in English and social studies from Indiana University.
Dr. Draba began his professional career in 1968 with a three-year tour of duty in the Peace Corps. He was stationed in the Republic of the Philippines, where he was responsible for developing language and volunteer training programs. He subse quently returned to his native Indiana and joined the Gary Community School Corpo ration as an English and journalism teacher.
In 1981, following an 11-year affiliation with the Gary school system, Dr. Draba joined Chicago Osteopathic Health Systems (COHS) as Director of Evaluation and Management. Over the next decade, he held progressively more responsible positions at COHS, including Director of Educational Resources and Administration/Basic Sciences; Assistant Director of Intern and Resident Training, College of Osteopathic Medicine (the educational subsidiary of COHS); and Vice President of Administration.
In 1992, he was appointed Executive Director of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), a position he held until 1996. As Executive Director, Dr. Draba worked closely with AOA leadership to enhance the organization’s financial and administrative structure. He also imple mented new programs in public affairs, managed care, and reimbursement.
Commenting on his appointment as AANS Executive Director, Dr. Draba said, “What a great opportunity to work with some of the best and brightest in organized medicine. Based on my contacts with our membership and leadership, my expecta tions for their intelligence and integrity have been completely fulfilled. It is a great honor to serve our leadership, membership, and our important partners like the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.”