2012 Annual Meeting Program - AANS/CNS Joint Section on

116 Pages·2012·3.1 MB·English

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Special
PROGRAM AT-A-GLANCE
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Thanks
MARCH 7, 2012 MARCH 8, 2012 MARCH 9, 2012 MARCH 10, 2012
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM to These Companies for Providing
Registration Registration Registration Registration
Northern Hemisphere Foyer Northern Hemisphere Foyer Northern Hemisphere Foyer Northern Hemisphere Foyer
an Educational Grant in Support
6:30 – 6:55 AM
1:30 – 5:30 PM 6:30 – 6:55 AM 6:30 – 6:55 AM
Continental Breakfast
Pediatric Craniocervical Continental Breakfast Southern Hemisphere Foyer Continental Breakfast of the 2012 Annual Meeting!
Society Meeting Southern Hemisphere Foyer Southern Hemisphere Foyer
Oceanic 1 Case Presentations
Southern Hemisphere I-III Case Presentations
Case Presentations Southern Hemisphere I-III
Special Course I – Southern Hemisphere I-III 7:00 – 9:00 AM
Neurosurgical Spine: Scientific Session III 7:00 – 8:20 AM NEUROSURGICAL EDUCATION AMBASSADOR:
Business and Compensation 7:00 – 9:30 AM Southern Hemisphere I-III Scientific Session IV – Oral
Northern Hemisphere A1 Scientific Session I
Southern Hemisphere I-III 9:00 – 9:20 AM Poster Presentations III
Southern Hemisphere I-III
Special Course II – Cases Mayfield Awards
and Complications with 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Southern Hemisphere I-III 8:20 – 10:10 AM
the Masters Exhibit Hall and Poster 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
David Cahill Memorial
Northern Hemisphere A2 Viewing Exhibit Hall and Poster Controversies II:
Northern Hemisphere B-E
Viewing Spine and Peripheral Nerve
Special Course III – Spinal Northern Hemisphere B-E
Deformity 9:30 – 10:15 AM 9:30 – 10:15 AM SRoauptihde rFni rHeemisphere I-III
Northern Hemisphere A3 Beverage Break and NEUROSURGICAL LEADERSHIP AMBASSADOR:
Beverage Break and
What’s NewSession I 10:10 – 10:40 AM
Special Course IV – Advanced Northern Hemisphere B-E What’s NewSession IV
Northern Hemisphere B-E Beverage Break
MIS Techniques/Managing Southern Hemisphere Foyer
MIS Complications 10:15 AM – 12:30 PM 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Americas Seminar Oral Platform Oral Platform 10:40 –11:00 AM
Presentations I Presentations II
Special Course V – Southern Hemisphere I-III Southern Hemisphere I-III Fellowship and Clinical Trial
Award Updates
Management of Perioperative 12:15 – 12:30 PM Southern Hemisphere I-III
12:30 – 1:25 PM
Pain, Perioperative
Annual Business Meeting
Complications Lunch and What’s New Southern Hemisphere I-III 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Asia 3 Session II FUTURE OF NEUROSURGERY AMBASSADOR:
Northern Hemisphere B-E 12:30 – 1:25 PM Oral Posters
Presentations IV
Special Course VI – Brazil: Lunch in the Exhibit Hall Southern Hemisphere I-III
1:30 – 3:00 PM Northern Hemisphere B-E
Spine Surgery in Brazil –
in conjunction with the Scientific Session II 12:30 – 2:30 PM
Spine Section of Brazilian David Cahill Memorial Luncheon Symposium I –
Neurosurgical Association Controversies I: In-Depth Revision Spine Surgery
Asia 4 Debates Northern Hemisphere A4
Southern Hemisphere I-III
Luncheon Symposium II –
Special Course VII – Updates
3:00 – 3:45 PM Spine Tumors
on Spine Trauma, Spinal Cord
Northern Hemisphere A3
Injury, and Cervical Spine Beverage Break and RESIDENT EDUCATION PARTNER:
Trauma Guidelines What’s NewSession III Luncheon Symposium III –
Northern Hemisphere A4 Northern Hemisphere B-E Cranial-Cervical Junction
Northern Hemisphere A2
6:00 – 8:00 PM 3:45 – 5:15 PM
Luncheon Symposium IV –
Opening Reception Oral Poster Presentations
Update of Lumbar Spine
Cabana Deck at the Pool I & II
Southern Hemisphere I-III and Guidelines
Northern Hemisphere A1
Americas Seminar
Luncheon Symposium V –
5:15 – 6:45 PM
Lateral Retroperitoneal
Reception in the Interbody Fusion: ANNUAL MEETING SUPPORTERS:
Exhibit Hall Technique and Outcomes
Northern Hemisphere B-E Americas Seminar
1:30 – 5:30 PM
Special Course VIII –
Peripheral Nerve Exposures
and Nerve Repair
TM
Techniques
Asia 3
Special Course IX –
AOSpine: Aging Spine
Asia 4
as of February 10, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Program At–A–Glance Inside Cover
PURPOSE OF THE SPINE AND PERIPHERAL
NERVES SECTION
Welcome 2
To foster the use of spinal neurosurgical methods for the
treatment of diseases of the spinal neural elements, the spine 2012 Annual Meeting Committees 2
and peripheral nerves. To advance spinal neurosurgery and
related sciences, improve patient care, support meaningful Chairman’s Biography 3
basic and clinical research, provide leadership in under-
graduate and graduate continuing education, and promote Awards and Fellowships 4
administrative facilities necessary to achieve these goals.
CME and General Information 11
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
2011 Phoenix, Arizona
Current and Past Officers 12
2010 Orlando, Florida
2009 Phoenix, Arizona
2008 Lake Buena Vista, Florida Past Program Committees 14
2007 Phoenix, Arizona
2006 Lake Buena Vista, Florida Disclosure Listing 16
2005 Phoenix, Arizona
2004 San Diego, California
Meeting Agenda 22
2003 Wesley Chapel, Florida
2002 Lake Buena Vista, Florida
2001 Phoenix, Arizona Wednesday, March 7 22
2000 Rancho Mirage, California
1999 Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Thursday, March 8 25
1998 Rancho Mirage, California
1997 Newport Beach, California
1996 Lake Buena Vista, Florida Friday, March 9 29
1995 Phoenix, Arizona
1994 Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Saturday, March 10 34
1993 Tucson, Arizona
1992 Miami, Florida
1991 Rancho Mirage, California Exhibitor Information 38
1990 Captiva Island, Florida
1989 Cancun, Mexico Oral Platform Abstracts 42
1988 Phoenix, Arizona
1987 Boca Raton, Florida
Awards Program Abstracts 48
1986 San Diego, California
1985 Greenleaf, Florida
Oral Poster Abstracts 49
YOUR OPINION IS PIVOTAL!
A link to the online evaluations will be sent to the e-mail Digital Poster Abstracts 69
address that you used to register for the meeting. Links to the
evaluation system will also be online at www.spinesection.org.
You will be able to login with either your last name and the
e-mail address where the link was sent or your Annual Meeting
badge number and your last name.
After logging in, simply follow the links to Claim Credits. Each
session evaluation will be listed on this page. You will also be
able to submit a request for CME credits at the same time
though submission of evaluations is not mandatory to receive
CME credit.
Your feedback is critical in helping the AANS/CNS Section on
Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves plan future
education and Annual Meetings.
MARCH 7-10, 2012 WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN AND DOLPHIN, ORLANDO, FLORIDA 1
WELCOME
2012 ANNUAL MEETING
Dear Colleague:
COMMITTEES
On behalf of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral
Annual Meeting Chairperson
Nerves Executive Committee, Annual Meeting Committee and Meritorious Daryl R. Fourney
Award Recipient, we welcome you to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
for the 2012 Annual Meeting, Spine Surgery in the Era of Excellence: Will You Scientific Program Chairperson
Measure Up? Marjorie C. Wang
Our expert faculty, dynamic scientific program and more than 200 scientific Exhibits Committee
Michael Y. Wang, Chairperson
abstracts provide you with the latest advances in spine and peripheral nerve
Adam S. Kanter
surgery as well as the information you need to advance your practice and
Daniel M. Sciubba
ultimately improve patient care. Our informative Scientific Sessions offer
Daniel Hoh
complication management and avoidance strategies while exploring how we
define and achieve excellence in spine and peripheral nerve surgery. Our
2012 Scientific Abstract Review and
extensive program also features two David Cahill Memorial Controversies Scientific Advisory Committee
Sessions with master spine specialists debating their perspectives on critical Peter D. Angevine
issues including, black disc disease, asymptomatic schwannoma and more. Allan J. Belzberg
Additionally, with nine Special Courses and five luncheon symposia, this Ali Bydon
meeting provides the optional education necessary for you to achieve excellence John Chi
in your daily practice. Through didactic lectures, interactive case presentations Dean Chou
Sanjay S. Dhall
and discussion, these optional courses will enhance your overall meeting
Daryl R. Fourney
experience.
Aruna Ganju
James S. Harrop
The Exhibit Hall features the latest developments and advances in spine and
Langston T. Holly
peripheral nerve surgery with more than 60 exhibitors displaying their latest
Patrick C. Hsieh
products and services in neurosurgical and orthopedic technology. Visit with John J. Knightly
your corporate partners on Thursday and Friday during complimentary beverage Shekar N. Kurpad
breaks, Lunch in the Exhibit Hall and What’s Newsessions to hear the latest Frank LaMarca
information to enhance and improve your practice. Daniel C. Lu
Michael Martin
In addition to the outstanding education available, you will experience valuable Matthew J. McGirt
David O. Okonkwo
networking events throughout the week including the Opening Reception on
Srinivas K. Prasad
Wednesday evening and Reception in the Exhibit Hall on Thursday afternoon.
Charles A. Sansur
Residents and young neurosurgeons will have the opportunity to hear a special
Meic H. Schmidt
presentation from Dr. Gerald E. Rodts, Jr. during the Young Neurosurgeons’
Justin S. Smith
Dinner on Friday evening.
Robert J. Spinner
Michael P. Steinmetz
We thank you again for joining us in Orlando for the 2012 Annual Meeting and Andrea L. Strayer
hope you will take time to experience the magic that only can be found at the Wale Sulaiman
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. Eve C. Tsai
Marjorie C. Wang
Christopher E. Wolfla
Jean-Paul Wolinsky
Sincerely,
Lynda Jun-San Yang
2012 Poster Awards and Grading
Committee
Sanjay S. Dhall
Adam S. Kanter
John J. Knightly
Srinivas K. Prasad
Christopher E. Wolfa, Daryl R. Fourney, MD Marjorie C. Wang,
MD, FAANS Annual Meeting Chairperson MD, MPH
Chairperson Scientific Program Chairperson
2 AANS/CNS SECTION ON DISORDERS OF THE SPINE AND PERIPHERAL NERVES
CHAIRMAN’S BIOGRAPHY
Christopher E. Wolfla, MD, FAANS
Christopher E. Wolfla, MD, FAANS,graduated with High Honors from Indiana
University, Bloomington, and received his medical degree from Indiana University
School of Medicine. He completed his Neurosurgery residency at Indiana University
Medical Center under the direction of Drs. Robert L. Campbell and Paul B. Nelson.
After residency, Dr. Wolfla completed a Fellowship in Spinal Neurosurgery at the
Medical College of Wisconsin under the direction of Drs. Sanford J. Larson and Dennis
J. Maiman. Upon completion, he joined the faculty of the University of Oklahoma Health
Sciences Center, Department of Neurosurgery, where he held the Greenberg Endowed
Chair. In 2005, Dr. Wolfla returned to the Department of Neurosurgery at the Medical
College of Wisconsin. He is currently Professor of Neurosurgery and Residency
Program Director.
Dr. Wolfla has an active clinical practice centered on spinal neurosurgery. He has
authored more than 35 scientific articles and chapters in medical texts. His research
interests have focused on spine biomechanics and spinal cord physiology. Dr. Wolfla
is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Omega Alpha and Beta Theta Pi.
Dr. Wolfla has served on the Executive Committee of the Congress of Neurological
Surgeons since 2000 and has held the offices of Member-at-Large, Education Committee
Chair, Scientific Program Chair, Annual Meeting Chair, Secretary, Vice President, and
President-Elect. In addition, Dr. Wolfla has served on the Executive Committee of the
AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, where he has
held the offices of Member-at-Large, Treasurer, and Chair-Elect. He is the current
Section Chair.
Dr. Wolfla has a wide variety of hobbies and outside interests. He is married to Catherine
Slocum Wolfla. Together they live in Brookfield, Wisconsin and have two children –
Andrew (18) and Julie (13).
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
My Biases
THURSDAY, MARCH 8 u 8:50 AM
MARCH 7-10, 2012 WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN AND DOLPHIN, ORLANDO, FLORIDA 3
MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD
Dennis J. Maiman, MD, PhD
Meritorious Service Award
2012 Meritorious Service Award
Recipients 1990 – 2011
Recipient
2011 Paul R. Cooper
Dennis J. Maiman, MD, PhD,was born 2010 Regis W. Haid, Jr.
on July 26, 1953, in Milwaukee, 2009 Paul C. McCormick
2008 Ronald I. Apfelbaum
Wisconsin. He attended the University of
2007 David L. Kelly, Jr.
Wisconsin, Milwaukee and then the
2006 John A. Jane, Sr.
Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW),
2005 Ulrich Batzdorf
graduating in 1977. He carried out his
2004 Russell W. Hardy, Jr.
neurosurgical residency at the Medical
2003 Edward C. Benzel
College of Wisconsin under the
2002 No Award Presented
directorship of Sanford J. Larson, MD, 2001 Stewart B. Dunsker
PhD. He subsequently completed a 2000 Arnold H. Menezes
fellowship in spinal surgery and spinal 1999 Volker K. H. Sonntag
cord injury. He was appointed Assistant 1998 Russell L. Travis
Professor of Neurological Surgery in 1997 David G. Kline
1984. He was also appointed Chief of Spinal Cord Injury at the VA Medical Center, and 1996 No Award Presented
1995 No Award Presented
in 1986 was the Founding Medical Director of the Spinal Cord Injury Center at Froedtert
1994 Sanford J. Larson
Hospital. Simultaneously, he obtained a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette
1993 Joseph A. Epstein
University (1985) and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1986. In 1992 he was
1992 Charles A. Fager
promoted to Full Professor and became Director of the Spine Fellowship Program. He
1991 Frank H. Mayfield
was also instrumental in the creation of SpineCare, a transdisciplinary evidence-based
1990 Ralph B. Cloward
nonoperative program, which has since grown to four sites.
Awards
In March 2009, he became Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurological On pages 5 – 10 general information
regarding section sponsored research
Surgery and was awarded the Sanford J. Larson Professorship in the Department of
and fellowship awards is listed. For
Neurosurgery/MCW in 2011. He was also the Director of Clinical Neuroscience for the
more information, visit the
Medical College of Wisconsin and Froedtert Hospital until 2011. He is a member of the
AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of
major neurosurgical associations as well as NASS and the Cervical Spine Research the Spine and Peripheral Nerves web
Society. He has been an ad hoc reviewer for multiple neurosurgical and spine journals site at www.spinesection.org
and multiple grant review boards.
Research Funding
The AANS/CNS Section on
His research interests have been in the areas of biomechanics of the spine and
Disorders of the Spine and
pathophysiology of spinal cord injury, and its treatment. His predominant clinical interest Peripheral Nerves has established
is in spinal disorders and spinal cord injury. His bibliography includes 140 papers and three Research Grants. Depending
co-authorship of Surgery of the Adult Lumbar Spine. upon the quality of the award
submissions, there may be one award
in each category annually.
He has been married to Donna (nee Ziger) Maiman since 1976. Together they have four
children, and ten grandchildren. Off campus interests include study of Jewish law,
shooting, the eternal search for the trophy Muskie, piano, and a rabid passion for
bicycling.
4 AANS/CNS SECTION ON DISORDERS OF THE SPINE AND PERIPHERAL NERVES
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
The Apfelbaum Award, sponsored by Aesculap, is for either basic or clinical research related to
Ronald I. Apfelbaum
the spine with funding up to $15,000. This research award is intended to establish funding for
Research Award
research related to the spine, and to provide a means of peer review for clinical research
projects to help improve the quality of the proposal and therefore, enhance competitiveness for
National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. The award is also meant to create an annual
funding mechanism to establish the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and
Peripheral Nerves as a known source for quality clinical research aimed at answering questions
pertaining to the treatment of disorders of the spine and peripheral nerves.
Jason Liauw, MD
Jason Liauw, MD, is a Johns Hopkins Neurosurgery resident pursuing a spine fellowship.
Dr. Liauw received his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and
medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine. During his tenure at Stanford
University, Dr. Liauw was an American Heart and Stroke Association Fellow under Dr. Gary
Steinberg. This research award will support his project studying the therapeutic potential of
Forteo for augmenting spinal fusion.
The Kline Award, sponsored by Integra Foundation, is for either basic or clinical research
David Kline
related to peripheral nerves with funding up to $15,000. This research award is intended to
Research Award
establish funding for research related to the peripheral nerves, and to provide a means of peer
review for clinical research projects to help improve the quality of the proposal and therefore,
enhance competitiveness for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. The award is also
meant to create an annual funding mechanism to establish the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders
of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves as a known source for quality clinical research aimed at
answering questions pertaining to the treatment of disorders of the spine and peripheral nerves.
Chetan Bettegowda, MD
Chetan Bettegowda, MD, grew up in Charlotte, NC and completed his undergraduate studies in
Biology and Religion at Duke University. He then entered the MD/PhD program at Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he completed his PhD thesis in the laboratory
of Bert Vogelstein. Upon completion of his medical education, Dr. Bettegowda entered the
neurosurgery residency program at Johns Hopkins where he is a currently a chief resident.
Dr. Bettegowda’s clinical interests are in neurosurgical oncology, including tumors of the brain
and spine. His research interests are in the global genetic profiling of central nervous system
tumors and using the knowledge gained from these studies to develop blood based tumor
biomarkers that can be used to follow disease burden.
MARCH 7-10, 2012 WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN AND DOLPHIN, ORLANDO, FLORIDA 5
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
The Larson Award, sponsored by DePuy Spine, is limited to clinical research with funding up to
Sanford Larson
$30,000. This research award is intended to establish funding for clinically relevant research
Research Award
related to the spine and peripheral nerves, and to provide a means of peer review for clinical
research projects to help improve the quality of the proposal and therefore, enhance
competitiveness for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. The award is also meant to
create an annual funding mechanism to establish the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the
Spine and Peripheral Nerves as a known source for quality clinical research aimed at answering
questions pertaining to the treatment of disorders of the spine and peripheral nerves.
Daniel C. Lu, MD, PhD
Daniel C. Lu, MD, PhD, completed his neurosurgery training at University of California, San
Francisco and spine fellowship with Dr. Kevin Foley at University of Tennessee. Dr. Lu is a
faculty member at University of California, Los Angeles. He directs laboratory research efforts
at understanding the molecular basis for conditions affecting the spine. For the Larson Award,
Dr. Lu will be conducting a one-year prospective trial in determining the “fingerprint” for
symptomatic disc degeneration by looking at the molecular, radiographic and clinical profile of
degenerated discs. This will potentially serve as a screening tool to predict success with
operative management and establish the basis for potential therapeutic molecular targets.
The Cahill Fellowship, sponsored by Synthes Spine, is awarded annually to one U.S. or
Cahill
Canadian trained neurosurgical resident to provide supplemental funding for advanced
Fellowship education and research in disorders of the spine or peripheral nerves in the form of fellowship
training away from their parent institution. The amount of the award is $30,000. Applicants
should be residents in training or ABNS eligible fellows, must provide a letter of acceptance
from the designated mentor and program, a letter of support from their training program
director, a description of the proposed fellowship with the educational or research goals, and a
current CV.
Mark Mahan, MD
Mark Mahan, MD, is currently a fifth year resident at the Barrow Neurological Institute in
Phoenix, AZ. Born in Tulsa, OK, Mark graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University
in 1998. He worked in leveraged finance at a major Wall Street bank and then in private equity
for five years after his graduation. Unfulfilled academically, Mark left finance and matriculated
at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating AOA in 2007. During
residency at the BNI, Mark has found interest in regenerative peripheral nerve procedures and
has established plans to spend his sixth year pursuing an in-folded fellowship under the direction
of Dr. Robert Spinner at the Mayo Clinic and Dr. Justin Brown at UCSD. Mark is researching
high resolution magnetic resonance imaging of peripheral nerves, distal nerve transfers for
bladder reanimation, and other projects.
6 AANS/CNS SECTION ON DISORDERS OF THE SPINE AND PERIPHERAL NERVES
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
The Cloward Fellowship, sponsored by Medtronic, is awarded annually to one U.S. or Canadian
Cloward
trained neurosurgical resident to provide supplemental funding for advanced education and
Fellowship
research in disorders of the spine or peripheral nerves in the form of fellowship training away
from their parent institution. The amount of the award is $30,000. Applicants should be residents
in training or ABNS eligible fellows, must provide a letter of acceptance from the designated
mentor and program, a letter of support from their training program director, a description of
the proposed fellowship with the educational or research goals, and a current CV.
John E. Ziewacz, MD
John Ziewacz, MD, is currently chief resident in neurosurgery at the University of Michigan-
Ann Arbor. He is a 2005 graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a
2010 graduate of the Harvard School of Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy. His
research time was spent studying surgical safety and outcomes research at the Center for
Surgery and Public Health in Boston under Dr. Atul Gawande. He became interested in spine
surgery while working with Drs. Frank LaMarca and Paul Park at the University of Michigan.
He will pursue fellowship training at UCSF in July 2012 under the direction of Dr. Praveen
Mummaneni. He plans to pursue a career in academic spine surgery.
The Crockard International Fellowship, sponsored by DePuy Spine, is awarded annually to
Crockard International
a neurosurgical resident or neurosurgeon from outside of the U.S. or Canada to provide
Fellowship supplemental funding for advanced education and research in disorders of the spine in the
form of a fellowship experience in the United States or Canada. The amount of each award
is $5,000. Applicants must provide a letter of acceptance from the designated mentor and
program, a letter of support from their training program director if applicable, a description
of the proposed fellowship with the educational or research goals, and a current CV.
Andrei N. Kuzmin, MD
Andrei N. Kuzmin, MD, is a neurosurgeon at the Chelyabinsk State Clinical Hospital in
Chelyabinsk, Russia. Dr. Kuzmin finished his residency in neurosurgery at the Urals State
Medical Academy, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Ekaterinburg, Russia in 2007
and received his medical degree from Chelyabinsk State Medical Academy in 2002.
Dr. Kuzmin’s clinical interest is the study of modern methods of surgical management of
patients with complex spine disorders.
MARCH 7-10, 2012 WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN AND DOLPHIN, ORLANDO, FLORIDA 7
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
The Sonntag International Fellowship, sponsored by Medtronic, is awarded annually to a
Sonntag International
neurosurgical resident or neurosurgeon from outside of the U.S. or Canada to provide
Fellowship
supplemental funding for advanced education and research in disorders of the spine in the
form of a fellowship experience in the United States or Canada. The amount of each award
is $5,000. Applicants must provide a letter of acceptance from the designated mentor and
program, a letter of support from their training program director if applicable, a description
of the proposed fellowship with the educational or research goals, and a current CV.
Olaolu C. Akinbo, MBBS
Olaolu Charles Akinbo, MBBS, received his medical training at the College of Medicine,
University of Lagos, Nigeria where he obtained Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degrees
(MBBS) in 1998. His residency training in Neurosurgery was at the Department of Neurological
Surgery, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria. During his residency, Dr. Akinbo
conducted research on the Epidemiology of Neurotrauma and Motorcycle Head Injury under the
supervision of Professors M.T. Shokunbi and A.O. Malomo. His interest in spine surgery
developed during this time as well. Dr. Akinbo plans to hone his skills further in general and
complex spinal surgeries under Dr. Praveen V. Mummaneni at the University of California, San
Francisco through an observational fellowship. The Sonntag International Fellowship award will
contribute towards making this a reality.
Introducing the Regis W. Haid, Jr., MD Adult Deformity Award, sponsored by Globus Medical, a
Regis W. Haid, Jr., MD
new opportunity made available in 2012 intended for primary neurosurgical investigators
Adult Deformity Award interested in clinical research in the field of adult spinal deformity. This research award is
intended to provide up to $30,000 in research funding for clinically relevant research related to
adult degenerative spinal deformity, and to provide a means of peer review for clinical research
projects to help improve the quality of the proposal and therefore, enhance competitiveness for
National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. The award is also meant to create an annual
funding mechanism to establish the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and
Peripheral Nerves as a known source for quality clinical research aimed at answering questions
pertaining to the treatment of disorders of the spine and peripheral nerves.
Justin S. Smith, MD, PhD, FAANS
Justin S. Smith, MD, PhD, FAANS, received his medical degree from Mayo Medical School
and PhD in Molecular Neuroscience from Mayo Graduate School, both in Rochester,
Minnesota. He completed a general surgery internship and neurological surgery residency at the
University of California at San Francisco, where he served as Chief Resident in Neurological
Surgery. Dr. Smith advanced his spine training in two fellowship programs. The first was an
adult and pediatric deformity spine fellowship at the University of Virginia jointly sponsored by
the Departments of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedic Surgery. Under the tutelage of Richard G.
Fessler, MD, he completed a minimally invasive spine fellowship at Northwestern University in
Chicago, Illinois. He is currently co-director of the UVA Spine Center, and is an Assistant
Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Virginia. Within the Department of
Neurological Surgery, Dr. Smith serves in several leadership roles including Director of
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, co-director of Spine Division and co-director of Spine
Fellowship.
8 AANS/CNS SECTION ON DISORDERS OF THE SPINE AND PERIPHERAL NERVES