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American Association of Neurological Surgeons

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American Association of Neurological Surgeons
AbbreviationAANS
Formation1931
TypeProfessional association
HeadquartersRolling Meadows, Illinois
Region served
Worldwide
Membership
12,000
CEO
Katie O. Orrico[1]
Websitewww.aans.org

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery. Founded in 1931, the AANS serves a membership of over 12,000 professionals worldwide, including neurosurgeons, medical students and allied health professionals. It is one of the five Continental Associations of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS), the other four being the AASNS, CAANS, EANS and FLANC.[2]

The AANS aims to advance neurological surgery through education, research and advocacy while promoting the highest quality of patient care. It seeks to support neurosurgeons in their pursuit of excellence and leadership in their field.

Attendees at the first meeting of the Harvey Cushing Society in Boston, 1932.

Founded in 1931, the AANS was originally known as the Harvey Cushing Society, named for the brain surgery pioneer Harvey Cushing. The creation of the society was spurred initially by R. Glen Spurling and William P. Van Wagenen who, with Cushing, acknowledged the need for a venue in which younger neurosurgeons could exchange ideas on the specialty. Membership to the Society of Neurological Surgeons, the specialty's key organization during this period, was closed to younger men at this time. Spurling and Van Wagenen enlisted the help of Temple Fay and R. Eustace Semmes in the creation of the group, and on May 6, 1932, the Harvey Cushing Society held its first meeting in Boston. Twenty-three people attended, many of whom were Cushing's colleagues and neurosurgical trainees.

Other charter members of the society were Gilbert Anderson, Paul C. Bucy, W. Edward Chamberlain, Leo M. Davidoff, Louise Eisenhardt, Edgar Fincher, John F. Fulton, W. James Gardner, William J. German, Franc D. Ingraham, Franklin Jelsma, Edgar Kahn, Roland Klemme, James G. Lyerly Sr., Eric Oldberg, Tracy Putnam, Frederic Schreiber, Merril C. Sosman, and Frank R. Teachenor.

The association was later renamed what it remains today: “The American Association of Neurological Surgeons,” to reflect its broader membership and mission.

Significant dates

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  • 1942 – The AANS adopts new bylaws requiring active members to be certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS).
  • 1944 – The first issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery is printed. An editorial board had been established in 1943, and Louise Eisenhardt was named editor-in-chief.
  • 1967 – At its annual meeting in San Francisco, the Harvey Cushing Society changes its name to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). The group also revamps its membership requirements, now noting that only board-certified neurosurgeons could be considered for active membership. Associate memberships are available for those in related neurological disciplines. This same year, the William P. Van Wagenen Fellowship is established to provide educational funding to medical students.
  • 1969 – The association observes the 100-year anniversary of Harvey Cushing's birth by holding its annual meeting in his birthplace of Cleveland and issuing a commemorative stamp via the United States Postal Service.
  • 1976 – A headquarters office is established in downtown Chicago. The office moves to Park Ridge, Illinois in 1984, and subsequently to its current location in Rolling Meadows, Illinois in 2000.
  • 1988 – The United States Postal Service issues an official Harvey Cushing stamp on June 17 as part of its "Great Americans" 45-cent stamp collection.[3]

The AANS is composed of board-certified neurosurgeons from around the world as well as medical students, neurosurgical support staff and physicians in associated fields of practice.

The AANS provides a wide range of educational resources, including:

  • Annual Scientific Meeting: A premier event featuring presentations, courses and discussions on the latest advancements in neurosurgery.
  • Journal of Neurosurgery: The Official Scientific Publication of the AANS, is a leading publication offering peer-reviewed research and clinical studies.
  • Continuing Education: Professional development courses and certifications designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of neurosurgeons.

Throughout its history, the AANS has taken stances on a number of key legislative issues affecting neurosurgical professionals and their patients. Efforts include patient safety and quality improvement, tort reform and issues relating to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. In addition to a professional staff office in Washington, D.C., the AANS maintains a member-driven Washington Committee to advocate for a number of causes. Washington staff maintains the Neurosurgery Blog which highlights the latest legislative activities affecting health care and the neurosurgical specialty.

Publications

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JNS – The Official Scientific Publication of the AANS

Since 1944, the AANS has published the Journal of Neurosurgery. In addition to the quarterly AANS Neurosurgeon which focuses on "issues related to legislation, workforce and practice management." Each issue is centered on different themes, and past themes include humanitarian neurosurgery, neurosurgeons as patients, stereotactic radiosurgery and neurovascular neurosurgery.

Patient information and public outreach

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The AANS offers extensive resources on its website tailored to educate patients about various neurosurgical conditions and treatments. In addition to these educational materials, the AANS actively engages in public outreach initiatives to raise awareness about neurological health. Every August, the AANS organizes Neurosurgery Awareness Month, this initiative aims to promote neurological safety and increase public understanding of critical neurosurgical conditions, including stroke prevention and treatment.

The AANS has held an Annual Scientific Meeting every year since its 1932 inception except twice; in 1945 due to World War II, and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 meeting was exclusively virtual, also due to the pandemic.

Programming includes presentations of neurological studies, seminars, workshops for practitioners at all levels and keynote speeches. Past speakers include H. Ross Perot (1987), Colin Powell (1995), George H. W. Bush (1999), Tom Brokaw (2001), Benazir Bhutto (2002), Henry Kissinger (2003), Ken Burns (2004), Walter Isaacson (2013), and Chesley Sullenberger (2013).

The Philanthropic Arm of the AANS

Established by the AANS in 1981, the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation provides funding for training in the neurosciences and support for career neurosurgeons. Through grants and awards, it supports medical students, residents and young neurosurgical faculty in conducting basic science, patient-oriented, clinical and outcomes research, as well as outcomes studies that protect and support neurosurgical procedures for all practicing neurosurgeons. It also funds North American and international fellowships in all neurosurgical subspecialties.

The Quality Improvement Arm of the AANS

As an effort led by the AANS with cooperation of other organized neurological associations, the Neuropoint Alliance was founded in 2008 to collect, analyze and report clinical data from neurosurgical practices. Services include clinical trial management, study design, and survey facilitation. Its first nationwide effort was the National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database.

AANS Award Winners

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The AANS presents several major awards each year during the AANS Annual Scientific Meeting, honoring the lifetime contribution of members for their surgical, scientific and humanitarian accomplishments.

AANS Cushing Medal

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  • 2024      Christopher I. Shaffrey, MD, FAANS
  • 2023      Regis W. Haid, Jr., MD, FAANS
  • 2022      William T. Couldwell, MD, PhD, FAANS
  • 2021      Robert E. Harbaugh, MD, FAANS
  • 2020      H. Hunt Batjer, MD, FAANS(L)
  • 2019      James T. Rutka, MD, PhD, FAANS
  • 2018      James R. Bean, MD, FAANS
  • 2017      Robert F. Spetzler, MD, FAANS
  • 2016      Ralph G. Dacey Jr., MD, FAANS
  • 2015      Arthur L. Day, MD, FAANS
  • 2014      Troy M. Tippett, MD, FAANS(L)
  • 2013      Jon H. Robertson, MD, FAANS
  • 2012      Donald O. Quest, MD, FAANS(L)
  • 2011      A. John Popp, MD, FAANS
  • 2010      Roberto C. Heros, MD, FAANS
  • 2009      Edward H. Oldfield, MD, FAANS
  • 2008      Charles B. Wilson, MD, FAANS
  • 2007      Robert G. Grossman, MD, FAANS
  • 2006      David G. Kline, MD, FAANS
  • 2005      Martin H. Weiss, MD, FAANS
  • 2004      John A. Jane Sr., MD, PhD, FAANS
  • 2003      Stewart B. Dunkser, MD, FAANS
  • 2002      Edward R. Laws Jr., MD, FAANS
  • 2001      Julian T. Hoff, MD
  • 2000      Russell H. Patterson Jr., MD
  • 1999      David J. Kelly Jr., MD, FAANS
  • 1998      Albert L. Rhoton Jr., MD, FAANS
  • 1997      Robert G. Ojemann, MD
  • 1996      Shelley N. Chou, MD, PhD
  • 1995      Richard DeSaussure, MD
  • 1994      Byron C. Pevehouse, MD
  • 1993      Sidney Goldring, MD
  • 1992      W. Eugene Stern, MD
  • 1991      William F. Collins, MD
  • 1990      Robert B. King, MD
  • 1989      Lester A. Mount, MD
  • 1988      Charles G. Drake, MD
  • 1987      William F. Meacham, MD
  • 1986      Lyle French, MD
  • 1985      Francis Murphey, MD
  • 1984      Eben Alexander Jr., MD
  • 1983      Guy L. Odom, MD
  • 1982      W. James Gardner, MD
  • 1981      Bronson S. Ray, MD
  • 1980      Paul C. Bucy, MD
  • 1979      Henry G. Schwartz, MD
  • 1978      William H. Sweet, MD
  • 1977      Frank H. Mayfield, MD

AANS Distinguished Service Award

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  • 2024      H. Hunt Batjer, MD, FAANS(L)
  • 2023      Edward Laws, MD, FAANS(L)
  • 2022      James T. Rutka, MD, PhD, FAANS
  • 2021      Jon H. Robertson, MD, FAANS
  • 2020      Joseph S. Cheng, MD, MS, FAANS
  • 2019      M. Ross Bullock, MD, PhD
  • 2018      Robert E. Harbaugh, MD, FAANS, FACS
  • 2017      Volker K.H. Sonntag, MD, FAANS(L)
  • 2016      Blas Ezequiel Lopez Felix, MD, FAANS
  • 2015      Kim J. Burchiel, MD, FAANS
  • 2014      Sir Graham Teasdale, FRCP
  • 2013      Ralph G. Dacey Jr., MD, FAANS
  • 2012      James R. Bean, MD, FAANS
  • 2011      Thomas A. Marshall
  • 2010      Katie O. Orrico
  • 2009      In Memory of Samuel J. Hassenbush, MD, PhD
  • 2008      Peter W. Carmel, MD, FAANS
  • 2007      Mary Louise Sanderson
  • 2006      John C. Van Gilder, MD
  • 2005      John A. Kusske, MD, FAANS
  • 2004      Troy M. Tippett, MD, FAANS
  • 2003      John A. Jane Sr., MD, PhD, FAANS
  • 2002      Donald H. Stewart Jr., MD, FAANS
  • 2001      Frank P. Smith, MD
  • 2000      George Ablin, MD
  • 2000      Robert H. Wilkins, MD, FAANS
  • 1999      W. Ben Blackett, MD, JD, FAANS
  • 1998      Mark J. Kubala, MD, FAANS
  • 1997      Ernest W. Mack, MD
  • 1996      Robert E. Florin, MD, FAANS
  • 1995      Charles Edwin Bracket, MD, FAANS
  • 1994      William A. Buchheit, MD, FAANS
  • 1993      Roy W. Black, Codman & Shurtlett, Vice President

AANS Humanitarian Award

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  • 2024      Jeffrey P. Blount, MD, FAANS
  • 2023      Alexa Canady, MD, FAANS(L)
  • 2022      Rodger Hartl, MD, FAANS
  • 2021      Gail L. Rosseau, MD, FAANS
  • 2020      Laverne Ray Lovell, MD, FAANS
  • 2019      David I. Sandberg, MD, FAANS
  • 2018      Jack P. Rock, MD, FAANS
  • 2017      John Ragheb, MD, FAANS
  • 2016      Karin M. Muraszko, MD, FAANS
  • 2015      Michael M. Haglund, MD, PhD, FAANS
  • 2014      Anselmo Pineda, MD, FAANS(L)
  • 2013      Mark Bernstein, MD, FAANS
  • 2012      A. Leland Albright, MD, FAANS(L)
  • 2011      Barth A. Green, MD
  • 2010      Timr Banerjee, MD, FAANS
  • 2009      Armonando J. Basso, MD, PhD
  • 2008      Robert J. Dempsey, MD, FAANS
  • 2007      Benjamin C. Warf, MD, FAANS
  • 2006      Gene E. Bolles, MD, FAANS
  • 2005      Tetsuo Tatsumi, MD, FAANS
  • 2004      Charles L. Branch Sr., MD,FAANS
  • 2002      Edgar M. Housepian, MD, FAANS
  • 2001      Gary D. Vander Ark, MD, FAANS
  • 2000      Merwyn Bagan, MD, MPH, FAANS
  • 1999      Thomas B. Flynn, MD, FAANS
  • 1998      Lee Finney, MD,
  • 1997      Robert J. White, MD
  • 1995      Melvin L. Cheatham, MD, FAANS
  • 1994      E. Fletcher Eyster, MD, FAANS
  • 1993      Manuel Velasco-Suarez, MD
  • 1992      William H. Mosberg Jr., MD
  • 1991      George B. Udvarhelyi, MD
  • 1990      A. Roy Tyrer Jr., MD
  • 1989      Hugo V. Rizzoli, MD
  • 1988      Gaston Acosta-Rua, MD
  • 1987      Courtland H. Davis Jr., MD, FAANS

AANS Cushing Award for Technical Excellence and Innovation in Neurosurgery

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  • 2024      Mitchel S. Berger, MD, FAANS
  • 2023      Michael Lawton, MD, FAANS
  • 2022      Christopher I. Shaffrey, MD, FAANS
  • 2021      Robert F. Spetzler, MD, FAANS(L)
  • 2020      Allan H. Friedman, MD, FAANS
  • 2019      Kevin T. Foley, MD, FAANS
  • 2018      John R. Adler, Jr., MD, FAANS
  • 2017      Fady T. Charbel, MD, FAANS
  • 2016      L. Dade Lunsford, MD, FAANS
  • 2015      Ossama Al-Mefty, MD, FAANS
  • 2014      Robert H. Rosenwasser, MD, FAANS
  • 2013      Edward H. Oldfield, MD, FAANS

Past Recipients of the AANS Distinguished Advocate Award

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  • 2024      Ann R. Stroink, MD, FAANS
  • 2023      Troy M. Tippett, MD, FAANS(L)

AANS International Lifetime Recognition Award

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  • 2023      Marinus H. Koning, MD, FACS
  • 2022      Asdrubal Falavigna, MD, PhD, IFAANS
  • 2021      Yoko Kato, MD, IFAANS (Japan)
  • 2020      Basant Misra, MCh, MS
  • 2019      Franco Servadei, MD, Italy
  • 2018      Jeffrey V. Rosenfeld, MD, MS, IFAANS, FACS
  • 2017      André Grotenhuis, MD, PhD, IFAANS, from Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • 2016      Edgardo Spagnuolo, MD, from Montevideo Uruguay
  • 2015      Andrew H. Kaye, MD, IFAANS, from Melbourne, Australia
  • 2014      Nicolas de Tribolet, MD, from Geneva, Switzerland
  • 2013      Johannes Schramm, MD, from Bonn, Germany
  • 2012      Leonidas M. Quintana, MD, IFAANS, from Vina del Mar, Chile
  • 2011      Shigeaki Kobayashi, MD, PhD, from Matsumoto, Japan
  • 2010      Shigeaki Kobayashi, MD, PhD, from Matsumoto, Japan
  • 2009      Albino Bricolo, MD, from Verona, Italy
  • 2008      Jose Humberto Mateos Gomez, MD, FAANS(L), from Madrid, Mexico

AANS Executive Office

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  • Katie O. Orrico, JD Chief Executive Officer 847.378.0501
  • Corey J. Parker Chief Operating Officer 847.378.0502
  • Carol Jones Chief Financial Officer 847.378.0520
  • Jason Leppin Chief Development Officer 847.378.0540
  • Joseph Barnett Director of Education 847.378.0544
  • Alison Dye Senior Director for Corporate Relations, Marketing & Communications 847.378.0525
  • Joanne Bonaminio Director of Foundation Services 847.378.0541
  • Ann Marie Bray CMP, LES, DES Senior Director Event Strategy 847.378.0548
  • Kathy Fry Director of Finance 847.378.0532
  • Jennifer Ocampo-Martinez, MPA Director of Organizational Affairs 847.378.0572

AANS/CNS Washington Office

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  • Charlotte Pineda Vice President of Health Policy and Advocacy 202.628.2072

Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG) Office

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Phone: 434.270.1063

  • James T. Rutka, MD, PhD, FAANS Editor in Chief
  • Gillian Shasby, EMBA Chief Publications Officer

References

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  1. ^ "AANS Leadership and Governance". aans.org. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  2. ^ "About the Foundation | World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies".
  3. ^ "1988 45c Harvey Cushing, M.D. – Catalog # 2188 For Sale at Mystic Stamp Company". Mysticstamp.com. 1988-06-17. Retrieved 2014-05-31.
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