@article{d3dd1a6aef294aafa04f1967f3329029,
title = "The 2016 aans presidential address: Leading the way",
abstract = "This AANS presidential address focuses on enduring values of the neurosurgical profession that transcend the current political climate. The address was delivered by Dr. Batjer during a US presidential election year, but the authors have intentionally avoided discussing the current chaos of the American health care system in the knowledge that many pressing issues will change depending on the outcome of the 2016 elections. Instead, they have chosen to focus on clarifying what neurosurgeons, and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, in particular, stand for; identifying important challenges to these fundamental principles and values; and proposing specific actions to address these challenges. The authors cite {"}de-professionalism{"} and commoditization of medicine as foremost among the threats that confront medicine and surgery today and suggest concrete action that can be taken to reverse these trends as well as steps that can be taken to address other significant challenges. They emphasize the importance of embracing exceptionalism and never compromising the standards that have characterized the profession of neurosurgery since its inception.",
keywords = "AANS, Leadership, Neurosurgery, Presidential address",
author = "Batjer, {H. Hunt} and Ban, {Vin Shen}",
note = "Funding Information: I want to call out first our extraordinary Executive Committee for the past year. These leaders have been exemplary in representing you and our committee has functioned purely by consensus at all times. The same can be said for our full Board of Directors. I want to thank our excellent senior management team. Tom Marshall servedasour Executive Director for 15 years, culturally and financially transforming the organization. Last November, Kathleen Craig took over the reins as Executive Director and has already distinguished herself in this new capacity. Our best years are ahead. I want to thank our 2016 Annual Meeting planners. Dr. Aviva Abosch did an extraordinary job with our scientific program while Dr. Reg Haid managed every other aspect of the Annual Meeting. He was available to keep me out of trouble 24/7/365. It was terrific working with Dr. Rich Byrne on our local arrangements as well as our Chicago {"}Leading the Way{"} videos covering Chicago sports, Chicago architecture, and Chicago neurosurgery. I want to thank Dr. Jon Robertson for his extraordinary leadership of our Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF). He has transformed this component of our organization, enabling our members to contribute to our future in very unique ways, particularly the Honor Your Mentor funds. Our Washington activities represent a core responsibility of the AANS. Dr. John Wilson completed his term as chair of our Washington Committee in December, having done an exemplary job, and Dr. Shelly Timmons took over as our new chair in January. Neurosurgery is in very capable hands. I want to thank the real Dream Team that we have assembled at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. These extraordinary people are a real pleasure to work with on a day-to-day basis. Thanks to all of you for your support during these last few challenging years. I want to my CNS (Congress of Neurological Surgeons) counterparts, Drs. Nate Selden and Russ Lonser. This year caps decades of collaboration with both of these fine men. I want to thank my colleagues from Aequanimitas. This set of relationships has been much more than a travel club. Our children have grown up together. The ideas that have come out of those casual discussions over the years have been transformative to each of us. I want to thank my clinical mentors. First, AANS Past President Dr. Kemp Clark. Second, master surgeon Dr. Duke Samson. Third, master surgeon and AANS Past President Dr. Charles Drake. I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for having made me a neurosurgeon. In addition to those outstanding leaders, I have been mentored by many other people, only a few mentioned here-Drs. Donald Quest, Ralph Dacey, Dan Barrow, Art Day, Steve Giannotta, Roberto Heros, Rich Ellenbogen, Tom Nasca, Phil Stieg, Bernard Bendok, Kim Burchiel, Bob Harbaugh, Mark Hadley, Nelson Oyesiku, Mitch Berger, and Commissioner Roger Goodell. You would think that with all the mentorship I have received that I would know a bit more! I want to call out three extraordinary people from our team in Dallas-Mr. Scott Clamp, Ms. Suzanne Truex, and Dr. Vin Shen Ban. Our annual meeting was flavored with the talents and energies of these three extraordinary people. Finally, I want to express my deepest thanks and affection for my family, Team Batjer. These lovelies have been incredibly supportive over all the challenging years. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} AANS, 2016.",
year = "2016",
month = dec,
doi = "10.3171/2016.7.JNS161273",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "125",
pages = "1325--1336",
journal = "Journal of Neurosurgery",
issn = "0022-3085",
publisher = "American Association of Neurological Surgeons",
number = "6",
}