Neurosurgery at the crossroads: leadership role of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. The 1979 AANS presidential address

A History of the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies

As neurological surgery evolved into its own subspecialty early in the 20th century, a need arose to create an environment for communication and education among those surgeons working in this burgeoning surgical discipline. As the socioeconomic climate in health care began to change in the United States, an unforeseen need arose that was outside the scope of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and Society of Neurological Surgeons. The capacity to understand and address the evolving socioeconomic landscape and to offer a platform for advocacy required a new entity. Grassroots efforts of neurosurgeons at the state level ultimately yielded a formal organization of state neurosurgical societies to fill this void by recognizing, understanding, and addressing socioeconomic factors affecting the practice of neurological surgery. This formal organization became the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies (CSNS). The CSNS provides a forum in which state societies can meet to identify, understand, and advocate for policies on behalf of organized neurosurgery. The purpose of this paper is to detail the history of the formation of the CSNS. By understanding this history and the need for the development of the CSNS, it is hoped that its evolving role as a voice for neurological surgeons in the modern era of health care will be made clear.

The AANS: the national and international organization for neurological surgery

The President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) validates the AANS as the national neurosurgical organization. He describes improved management of major committees of neurological surgery by the Joint Officers of the AANS and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. A strong argument and proclamation are presented to expand the international role of the former Harvey Cushing Society.

Utilization of resources for the maintenance of excellence in neurological surgery. The 1988 American Association of Neurological Surgeons presidential address

In order to maintain the highest standards of care, neurosurgeons commit significant monies and time to continuing education. Significant time is devoted to national and regional organizations that work to assure standards for neurosurgical training, certification, and patient care. The continued increase in the sum of these efforts, both in money and time, indicates that a more efficient approach will be necessary in the future if neurosurgery and neurosurgeons are not to be overwhelmed or standards compromised.