Dear Colleagues:
I am pleased to report to you on the operation and activities of our organization during the past year as it carries out its mission as the spokesperson representing interests and efforts of North American Neurosurgery. In filling this role, The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) continuously re-assesses the needs of the membership, utilizing the multiple channels of communication operational between the membership and our administration as we deal with the diverse issues that impact upon all of us.
Membership
Our organization remains healthy and continues to grow. Our total membership grew by 9.3% during 1995, bringing the total to 4,739 members, the largest percent age gain in recent history. During the past year, 462 new members were inducted, 12 members resigned, and we received notification of the death of 45 of our colleagues.
In keeping with our position representing North American Neurosurgery, a Bylaws amendment permitting certificants of the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, A.C., to become Active members of the Association was approved. Conse quently, active membership in the AANS is now available to neurosurgeons who have been certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, as well as the Mexican Council. In accord with recent Bylaws changes, our Associate and International Associate member categories grew by 12% and 26%, respectively, reflecting the global influence of our Association.
Strategic Plan
Our new Strategic Long-Range Plan was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors at its November meeting. This living document reflects input from almost 1,500 of our members, who responded to the comprehensive strategic planning survey distributed to the entire AANS membership. This survey asked neurosurgeons about their perception of the present state of neurosurgery as well as the anticipated future impacts upon our practice and specialty.
A new mission statement, along with four long-range goals supported by multiple strategies, was developed. A summary of the new strategic plan appeared in the Spring issue of the Bulletin.
Communications
Communication with the membership, as well as the neuroscience community throughout the world, remains an extremely important focus and effort of the Associa tion. Our written communications are comprised of three primary efforts: The Journal of Neurosurgery, the AANS Bulletin, and our fax-broadcast communication, Changing Times in Neurosurgery.
The Journal of Neurosurgery, the preeminent and most-widely read neuro surgical journal in the world, continues to be the primary source of clinical and basic science dissemination. Once again, the evaluation of effectiveness of scientific communication by the Citation Index places the Journal‘s impact beyond all other published neurosurgical journals combined. Ranking of the Journal of Neurosurgery amongst all scientific peer-reviewed journals published in the world, based on the impact analysis for published peers, rose from 37th to 36th in global ranking. By comparison, our nearest competitor fell from the 87th position to 90th during the same time period. Clearly, the Journal of Neurosurgery remains “the” medium in which to present quality scientific information.
Four issues of the AANS Bulletin were published during 1995. The focus of this publication, in response to a readership survey completed last year, has increased coverage in the areas of practice manage ment and socioeconomic issues. At the suggestion of Immediate-Past President Sidney Tolchin, MD, a new feature called “Menu for Success,” was added. This feature is devoted to suggestions for development of specialty neurosurgical practice configurations that are responsive to the managed care environment in which we now practice.
Four issues of Changing Times in Neurosurgery were also disseminated to our membership via broadcast fax. They focused on such issues as Medicare reform, graduate medical education, pedicle screw litigation, and CPT coding information.
The membership has expressed its desire for enhanced organizational communi cation and your Board has responded to make certain that all of its activities and peripheral influences are rapidly and efficiently communicated to the membership.
Professional Development
In keeping with strategies defined in our strategic plan of 1990, the professional development and publications programs continue to thrive. Twenty-six professional development courses were presented, attracting approximately 1,100 participants. Twenty-two courses are planned for presentation this year.
Four new books in the Neurosurgical Topics series and two new books in the Special Topics series were published. Of particular interest to practice development, two new patient education brochures were produced. They are: “Understanding Problems With Your Cervical Spine” and “Understanding Hydrocephalus.”
Washington Committee
Members of our Washington Committee, along with staff, have been actively involved in a number of Medicare and federal issues. These dedicated volunteers and staff have participated on numerous panels convened by HCFA.
One particular accomplishment during this past year was clarification of organized neurosurgery’s position with respect to reimbursement for pallidotomy, which resulted in HCFA approval of payment for performance of this procedure. We are particularly indebted to the vigorous efforts of Dr. Tolchin, Art Day, MD, and Robert Grossman, MD, in pursuing a positive conclusion to this issue.
Internet Project
NEUROSURGERY://ON-CALL®, the new neurosurgery site on the World Wide Web of the Internet, was developed and is jointly owned by the AANS and CNS. It is managed under the direction of an editor, editorial board, and an oversight committee.
This system allows for an unprecedented opportunity for information transfer, education, and data collection. This remarkable service was demonstrated to the membership for the first time at the Annual Meeting in Minneapolis.
Professional Conduct
The Professional Conduct Committee continues to provide a resource to our members who may have been aggrieved by another member of the organization in a tort proceeding. Unfortunately, the Committee’s level of activity has undergone a major increase during the past year.
Five additional hearings have been conducted by the Professional Conduct Committee over the past several months. Three of their recommendations were forwarded to the Board in April for action, and two additional recommendations for action will come before the Board in November.
CME Activities
More than 900 abstracts were submitted for consideration for presentations at this year’s Annual Meeting. Our Scientific Program Committee provided a forum for presenta tion of 131 oral papers, 15 more than in 1995. In addition, 73 of these presentations were assigned discussants to enhance the scientific consideration.
Our Coordinating Committee for Continuing Education continues to magnificently serve as the communications conduit through which all of our educational activities are coordinated. Not only does this committee oversee the educational programs of the Association, but it also jointly sponsors CME offer ings for non-ACCME accredited neurosurgical organizations. During 1995, our Association jointly sponsored CME activities for 10 organizations including four Section meetings.
Conclusion
Finally, we remain extremely proud of our National Office staff and all they have done on behalf of all organized neurosurgery. This group of dedicated individuals labors long and hard on our behalf to make certain that the needs of the Association and each of its members are served.
I am saddened to inform you of the retirement, after 19 years of outstanding service to the AANS, of Mr. Carl Hauber, CAE, our Executive Director. Carl has been the “glue” of this Association and has provided wise counsel to us through two decades of unprecedented growth. A search committee has selected Robert Draba, PhD, as successor to Mr. Hauber. We wish Dr. Draba well in his efforts to continue this extraordinary effort.