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SWEET SUCCESS IN SAN FRANCISCO
Continued from page 19
(l–r) Donald O. Quest, MD, Julia Grubb,
Peggy Ratcheson, Robert L. Grubb, MD,
Ilona Quest, and Robert A. Ratcheson, MD,
gather around the street sign honoring
Dr. Ratcheson, the 2004–2005 AANS
president, at the opening reception.
that apathy toward continuing
involvement in these matters is
a worthy opponent. “We must
step up to the plate,” he said.
“It’s going to take time, effort
and money. Individual neurosurgeons
can have an impact.”
On Wednesday, communication,
science and politics
were the focus of two lecturers.
Mark Bernstein, MD, the
Theodore Kurze lecturer, honored
the raconteur in Dr.
Kurze by discussing the importance
of neurosurgeons
making their voices heard
more widely through publication
in nonbiomedical venues.
Dr. Bernstein noted that
Harvey Cushing, a Pulitzer
Prize winner, could serve as
inspiration.“Narrative stories reach people,” he said.“It’s never too
late to try.” Hunt-Wilson Lecturer Arnold Kriegstein, MD,
reviewed the science and politics currently affecting neural stem
cell research. He said that current stem cell research in the United
States is moving forward at the state level, led by New Jersey,
Illinois, Maryland, Connecticut, and California, and that the University
of California, San Francisco has planned a stem cell training
program.
The Thursday socioeconomic session was highlighted by pointed
discussion of and audience commentary on the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services’ pay-for-performance project. Jeffrey Flick, the
CMS administrator for region IX, presented rationale for the program
and said that the 262 hospitals already participating in CMS P4P have
demonstrated that “just measuring and publishing improves quality.”
He said that the CMS is “looking for your help to make sure we have
this right” and encouraged physicians to participate in the CMS’ P4P
demonstration program.“I believe that physicians are likely to be paid
just for reporting as early as next year,” he said.
Robert E. Harbaugh, MD, chair of the Quality Improvement
Workgroup of the AANS/CNS Washington Committee, expressed
neurosurgery’s concerns involving establishment of appropriate P4P
measurements.“All measures are focused on management of chronic
disease, so application to surgical patients is a concern,” he said.
Acknowledging that there is “widespread, bipartisan support in all of
Washington”for P4P and that the CMS is very committed to the program
as a way to save money, Dr. Harbaugh suggested that neurosurgery
should participate but should develop its own quality
measures based on prospectively collected outcomes data.
Presentations by master neurosurgeons Kevin T. Foley, MD, spine;
Patrick J. Kelley, MD, tumor; Michael T. Lawton, MD, vascular;
Johannes Schramm, MD, epilepsy; and Albert L. Rhoton, MD, cerebrovascular,
concluded the meeting. 3
Manda J. Seaver is staff editor of the AANS Bulletin.
2006 International Awardees
During the AANS Annual Meeting in San Francisco, the
following 2006 International Award recipients were
announced.
The International Abstract Award was presented to Ming-Yuan
Tseng, MD, of the United Kingdom, for “Biological Effects of Acute
Pravastatin Therapy On Cerebral Vasospasm, Delayed Ischemic
Deficits, and Outcome in Patients Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid
Hemorrhage: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”
The International Travel Scholarship recipient was Emad K.
Hammood, BSN, of Iraq for “Surgical Management of Brain Hydatid
Cyst in the North of Iraq.”
The association also announced the first two recipients of the first
AANS International Visiting Surgeons Fellowships. They are Mirsad
Hodzic, MD, of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Rene Fernando Paz, MD,
of Honduras.
Dr. Hodzic, whose fellowship will be at the University of New York
at Buffalo, is specifically interested in developing new knowledge in
minimally invasive neurosurgery in children.
Dr. Paz will complete his fellowship at the University of Colorado
Health Sciences Center. His research study will involve the
(l–r) James T. Rutka, MD, and Muh-Lii Liang, MD, both of Canada, and Dar-ming D. Lai, MD,
of Taipei, are pictured at the international attendee reception on Wednesday evening.
effects of spinal decompression and stabilization, and time of
surgical treatment on patient outcomes.
Additionally, the recipient of the FIENS/Integra Fellowship was
announced at the AANS Annual Meeting. He is Sushil Shilpakur,
MBBS, of Nepal, who is studying neuroendoscopy during his fellowship
at the CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda.
With the exception of the FIENS/Integra Fellowship, these awards
are managed by the AANS International Outreach Committee. All
awards will be offered again in 2007.
20 Vol. 15, No. 2 • 2006 • AANS Bulletin