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Celebrating 75 Years of NINDS: Dr. Christopher Getch’s Enduring Impact on Neurosurgery and Service

By CNS Spotlight, Faces of Neurosurgery, Medical ResearchNo Comments

Chris was born Dec 22, 1961, in Milton, MA. His family had a legacy of several generations attending the prominent Milton Academy, and Chris followed in those footsteps, as he was often proud to point out. He attended Princeton University, followed by medical school at Tufts. His career was shaped by his neurosurgical training at Thomas Jefferson University, where he developed a passion for cerebrovascular surgery under the guidance of Dr. William Buchheit. He then pursued a fellowship in Pittsburgh under Drs. Peter Janetta, Dade Lundsford, and Douglas Kondziolka, where he honed his microvascular and radiosurgery skills.

Chris joined the faculty at Northwestern in 1996 after finishing training. It was a unique time in the department, as Dr. Hunt Batjer had started as Chair only the year before, and the faculty was being completely revamped.  Chris came to Dr. Batjers’ attention when, at an AANS/CNS Joint Officers meeting at the O’Hare Hilton, Dr. Buchheit and Dr. Ed Laws approached him and said, “We have the perfect faculty member for your new department; his name is Chris Getch”.  Hunt called his cell immediately and had a 30-minute discussion, followed by an invitation for an interview in Chicago.  His recruitment provided Chris with an opportunity to play a significant role in shaping the program’s future. Chris rose to the rank of Professor of Neurosurgery at Northwestern and trained a generation of neurosurgeons during his time there. He was a master surgeon who delighted in performing rigorous cerebrovascular procedures, especially microvascular decompressions for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm. He would show off the anatomy of a procedure to the entire operating room, explaining everything on the screen while mentoring the residents. He was fascinated by facial pain and even barged into one of our offices one afternoon, demanding to see a Schaltenbrand-Wahren stereotactic atlas to better understand the procedure that a patient he had seen in the clinic that day had undergone elsewhere.

We were his trainees (BB) and junior partners (BB and JR). Chris always made time to go over case plans with us and to join us in the operating room during the early years of our practice to provide support and technical assistance with challenging anatomy. His steady presence gave us the confidence to stretch our skills and become better surgeons. His rounds were legendary as he was able to spot subtle clinical signs and symptoms that remained invisible to the rest of the team. No one could sense the onset of vasospasm sooner than Chris. Neuroradiologists were always on alert for his phone calls to notify them of subtle findings they may have missed, but Chris did not. He was intense but amiable in how he challenged everyone around him. His laugh could be heard down the hall as he engaged students, colleagues, nurses, and partners in a jovial and collegial way that was his signature. He expected excellence but was the first to admit his failures and defeats. He would let you know when you fell short, but also acknowledged when you performed well. He suffered deeply with complications and always put his patients first. He was in love with the aesthetic of clean microsurgery and insisted on high standards of surgical finesse with his trainees.  He was a superior partner who would come in on off hours and weekends to handle cerebrovascular cases that came into the hospital while someone not specializing in those patients was on call. In fact, the last case he performed was an aneurysm clipping on a Sunday morning in one of these situations. He published over 75 peer-reviewed papers and numerous book chapters related to the surgical treatment of cerebrovascular disease and facial pain.

Importantly, Chris had significant influence outside the operating room. He served on the Board of Think First and worked with the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. He was the President of the Illinois State Neurosurgical Society and a driving presence during the state’s medical malpractice crisis. He was elected to the Executive Council of the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Surgery and the Executive Committee of the Society of Neurological Surgeons. He served as a guest examiner for the ABNS oral exams.

He served the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in numerous roles, including a 10-year term on the Executive Committee. He was Chair of the Host Committee for the 1997 Annual Meeting, Scientific Program Chair for the 2005 Annual Meeting, and Chairperson of the 2006 Annual Meeting. He served as Vice President of the CNS from 2009 to 2010 and as President of the CNS from 2010 to 2011.

Chris had four sons from his two marriages. He delighted in adding the suffix “bear” to their names whenever he spoke of them (no matter how old they were!). He loved watching them play sports and doing outdoor activities with them. A special place for Chris was his family’s camp in the Canadian wilderness. Whenever possible, they made a family pilgrimage to that site. He was an avid model railroad enthusiast who maintained a large setup in his basement to which he was always adding new and often rare train cars or scenery.

Tributes to Chris’ influence have abounded in the wake of his untimely passing in January 2012. In 2015, the CNS and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) established the NINDS/CNS K12 Getch Scholar Award. This 2-year award, funded by the CNS Foundation and NINDS, supports young surgeons early in their practice who wish to develop into productive surgeon-scientists. The Northwestern University Department of Neurosurgery has endowed the Getch Lecture, given each year during resident graduation. In recognition of the value Chris placed on multidisciplinary collaboration, the Department annually awards the Christopher Getch Clinical Excellence Award to a non-neurosurgeon or group that significantly contributes to the Department’s mission. In addition, the Brain Aneurysm Foundation Medical Advisory Board and Board of Directors established The Christopher C. Getch, MD, Chair of Research. The Illinois State Neurosurgical Society annually gives a Christopher Getch Distinguished Service Award to a member neurosurgeon along with the ingredients for Chris’s favorite drink, the Dark and Stormy.

Authors:

Joshua Rosenow, MD
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, IL

 

Bernard Bendok, MD
Mayo Clinic
Phoenix, AZ

 

Hunt Batjer, MD
University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine
Tyler, TX

Celebrating 75 Years of NINDS: The Legacy and Impact of the Surgical Neurology Branch

By Medical Innovation, Medical ResearchNo Comments

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a monumental milestone that offers an opportunity to reflect on its remarkable contributions to neurology and human neuroscience. Among the many significant components of NINDS, the Surgical Neurology Branch (SNB) stands out for its pioneering advancements and transformative impact on the treatment of neurological disorders. Established with the vision of integrating surgical techniques with neurological research, the SNB has played an instrumental role in shaping modern neurosurgery and advancing human neuroscience.

The SNB was established to address the growing need for specialized surgical interventions in the treatment of neurological disorders. Over the years, the SNB has become synonymous with innovation, spearheading groundbreaking research and developing novel surgical techniques that have revolutionized patient care. This translational approach, integral to the SNB, has led to significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of a wide range of neurological conditions. Many dedicated SNB clinician-investigators and basic scientists, including Maitland Baldwin, Igor Klatzo, John M. Van Buren, Ayub K. Ommaya, Richard J. Youle, Edward H. Oldfield, and Russell R. Lonser, have made significant advancements in understanding and treating various neuropathological conditions, including brain tumors, epilepsy, spinal cord injuries, and movement disorders. Their work has provided fundamental insights for delineating differences between cytotoxic and vasogenic edema, advancing treatments for Cushing disease, studying the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor, developing new methods for central nervous system drug delivery, and understanding the underlying pathophysiology and biology of familial tumor syndromes and malignant gliomas.

By fostering an innovative environment that bridges the gap between laboratory research and clinical practice, the SNB has been at the forefront of medical breakthroughs that have improved the lives of countless patients. This commitment to patient-centered care is central to the SNB’s mission. It is reflected in its focus on conducting cutting-edge research and clinical trials aimed at developing new treatments for neurological disorders, as well as translating basic scientific discoveries to the bedside. The branch is dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each patient evaluated and treated at the NIH Clinical Center, the world’s largest hospital dedicated solely to clinical research. This approach involves close collaboration between neurosurgeons, neurologists, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. The SNB also places a strong emphasis on patient education and empowerment. By providing patients and their families with detailed information about their condition and treatment options, the SNB helps them make informed decisions about their care. This patient-centered approach not only improves clinical outcomes but also enhances the overall patient experience.

An equally critical component of the SNB’s mission is to train and mentor the next generation of neurosurgeons. Over its history, dozens of former fellows and staff have gone on to become leaders of academic neurosurgery and chairs of neurosurgical departments. In 2010, the SNB further solidified its commitment to education by developing a residency-training program in neurological surgery. This program is designed to provide comprehensive training that encompasses clinical excellence, research acumen, and innovative thinking. By integrating rigorous clinical training with robust research opportunities, the SNB residency program aims to produce neurosurgeons who are well-equipped to tackle the complexities of neurological disorders and contribute to the advancement of neurosurgery. The SNB’s commitment to education also extends beyond its training program, with faculty members regularly participating in national and international conferences, workshops, and symposia. These efforts ensure that the latest advancements in neurosurgery are disseminated widely, fostering a global community of practitioners who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide the highest standard of care.

As NINDS celebrates its 75th anniversary, the SNB remains committed to advancing the fields of neurosurgery and human neuroscience through innovative research, education, and patient care. The future holds exciting possibilities, with ongoing research into new surgical techniques, neurotechnologies, and therapeutic approaches that have the potential to further transform the treatment of neurological disorders. The SNB’s legacy of excellence and innovation serves as a testament to the vision and dedication of its founders as well as the many talented individuals who have contributed to its success over the years. As we look ahead to the next 75 years, the SNB will continue to play a central role in shaping modern neurosurgery and advancing human neuroscience, paving the way for discoveries and treatments that will improve the lives of patients around the world.

Kareem A. Zaghloul, MD, PhD
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Md.

Memorial Day Cross Post: Honoring Those Who Serve

By Cross Post, Global Neurosurgery, Humanitarian, Military Faces of NeurosurgeryNo Comments

This Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their lives in service to our country and those who carry the spirit of service forward in extraordinary ways by volunteering to provide medical care to those injured in current global conflicts. In this spirit, we share with our readers the remarkable stories of several neurosurgeons in Ukraine.

The first article, “An Island of Mercy: An American Veteran’s View from Ukraine,” published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, is authored by Rocco A. Armonda, MD (the 2025 recipient of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Humanitarian Award), Andrii Sirko, MD and Alex B. Valadka, MD. The second is “The Road Back to Dnipro: Third Time’s a Charm!” published in the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies’ May 16 newsletter by Drs. Armonda, Sirko, Valadka and Bohdan Sirko, MD.

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Cross-Post: The birth of modern military neurosurgery through the eyes of Harvey Cushing’s war memoir

By AANS Spotlight, Cross PostNo Comments

From time to time on the Neurosurgery Blog, you will see us cross-posting or linking to items from other places when we believe they hit the mark on an issue. April 8 marks World Neurosurgeons Day, celebrated annually on the birthday of Dr. Harvey Cushing. Dr. Cushing is regarded as the father of modern neurosurgery. Read More

Overview of the Open Payment Database: What do I need to know?

By NeurosurgeryNo Comments

The intertwining relationship between industry and medicine has been evident and ever-so apparent in recent decades. While these relationships are vital for innovation, concerns of potential conflict of interest (COI) have called into question the objectivity of scientific research and patient care. To help alleviate these concerns, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) opted to increase the transparency of physician-industry interactions. Read More

Cross-Post: High-Accuracy Augmented Reality Guidance for Intracranial Drain Placement Using a Standalone Head-Worn Navigation System: First-in-Human Results

By CNS Spotlight, Cross PostNo Comments

From time to time on the Neurosurgery Blog, you will see us cross-posting or linking to items from other places when we believe they hit the mark on an issue. We wanted to bring attention to a recent publication in Neurosurgery, the official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, which provides multimedia, prompt publication of scientific articles on clinical or experimental surgery topics important for the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves, reviews, and other information of interest to readers across the world. The article, “High-Accuracy Augmented Reality Guidance for Intracranial Drain Placement Using a Standalone Head-Worn Navigation System: First-in-Human Results” is published as part of Neurosurgery’s High-Impact Manuscript Service (HIMS). Read More

Legislative Success in Pediatric Neurosurgery Amidst Congressional Gridlock

By PediatricsNo Comments

Despite the challenges of a gridlocked 118th Congress, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Washington Committee celebrated legislative victories in pediatric neurosurgery, notably the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 and the reauthorization of the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program. Read More

Cross-Post: Vestibular Schwannoma Koos Grade I International Study of Active Surveillance Versus Stereotactic Radiosurgery: The VISAS-K1 Study

By CNS Spotlight, Cross PostNo Comments

From time to time on the Neurosurgery Blog, you will see us cross-posting or linking to items from other places when we believe they hit the mark on an issue. We wanted to bring attention to a recent publication in Neurosurgery, the official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, which provides multimedia, prompt publication of scientific articles on clinical or experimental surgery topics important for the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves, reviews, and other information of interest to readers across the world. The article, Vestibular Schwannoma Koos Grade I International Study of Active Surveillance Versus Stereotactic Radiosurgery: The VISAS-K1 Study, is published as part of Neurosurgery’s High-Impact Manuscript Service (HIMS). Read More