Deborah L. Benzil, MD, FACS, FAANS
Past-Chair, AANS/CNS Communications and Public Relations Committee
Vice Chair, Neurosurgery
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, OH
As 2018 draws to a close, so does my time as chair of the AANS/CNS Communication and Public Relations (CPR) Committee—including serving as the editor of Neurosurgery Blog. I am thankful to have had this opportunity and to have worked with so many outstanding individuals. There are those who deserve a particular shout out for their efforts are:
- The Chairs of the AANS/CNS Washington Committee during my tenure: Ann R. Stroink, MD, FANNS; Shelly D. Timmons, MD, PhD, FANNS; and Alex B. Valadka, MD, FAANS, FACS.
- All the hardworking members of the CPR Committee including: Clemens M. Schirmer, MD, PhD, FAANS; Richard C. E. Anderson, MD, FAANS; Anthony L. Asher, MD, FAANS, FACS; Maya A. Babu, MD, MBA; Kimon Bekelis, MD; Randy S. Bell, MD, FAANS; Mary Cloninger; Sanjay S. Dhall, MD, FAANS; Rimal H. Dossani, MD; Jonathan A. Grossberg, MD, FAANS; Bharat Guthikonda, MD, FAANS, FACS; Sepideh Amin-Hanjani, MD, FAANS; Randy L. Jensen, MD, PhD, FAANS; Benjamin C. Kennedy, MD; Kristopher Kimmell, MD; Richard P. Menger, MD; Alon Y. Mogilner, MD, PhD, FAANS; Carrie R. Muh, MD, FAANS; Brian V. Nahed, MD, FAANS; David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD, FAANS; Paul Park, MD, FAANS; Ann M. Parr, MD, PhD, FAANS, FRCSC; Brian T. Ragel, MD, FAANS; John K. Ratliff, MD, FAANS, FACS; Daniel Refai, MD, FAANS; Michael P. Steinmetz, MD, FAANS; Martina Stippler, MD, FAANS; Brian R. Subach, MD, FAANS, FACS; Ashwin Viswanathan, MD, FAANS; William C. Welch, MD, FAANS, FACS; Jon T. Willie, MD, PhD, FAANS; Christopher J. Winfree, MD, FAANS; Brett E. Youngerman, MD; and Gabriel Zada, MD, FAANS.
- The AANS/CNS Washington Office staff and leadership, specifically Katie O. Orrico, Esq., and Alison E. Dye; and
- Many more neurosurgical volunteers who wrote, created art, or shared their time.
Neurosurgeons across the country are touching lives every day. The wondrous stories about their care have been a thrill to relate. I wish all the best to those who have stepped up to carry on this work.
For 2019, may everyone experience at least a share of health, happiness and peace.
