# American Association of Neurological Surgeons

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a professional organization focused on 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.

## History

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

* 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.

## Membership

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.

## Legislative advocacy

Throughout its history, the AANS has taken stances on 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

Since 1944, the AANS has published the Journal of Neurosurgery. In addition, the quarterly AANS Neurosurgeon 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

The AANS offers resources on its website to education patients about neurosurgical conditions and treatments. 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.

## Education

The AANS offers its members a number of educational opportunities, mostly through courses held around the country at various times of the year. Topics include practice management, oral board preparation, maintenance of certification, and resident education. Course offerings also extend to mid-level practitioners such as nurses and physician assistants.

## Annual meeting

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).

## Neurosurgical Research and Education Foundation

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.

## Neuropoint Alliance

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

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.

### Cushing Medal

* 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

* 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

* 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

* 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

### AANS International Lifetime Recognition Award

* 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