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Ann R. Stroink, MD, FAANS Retires from Neurological Surgery

By AANS Spotlight, CareerNo Comments

Ann R. Stroink, MD, FAANS, a neurosurgeon at the forefront of advocacy efforts, retired from neurosurgery practice at Carle BroMenn Medical Center on Nov. 22, 2023. Throughout her career, Dr. Stroink has been an indefatigable force in advocating — in the halls of Congress, before the Illinois state legislature, with health plans and within organized medicine — for sound health policy to ensure patients have timely access to care. Throughout her career, she held critical leadership roles within organized neurosurgery, including president of the Illinois State Neurosurgical Society, chair of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Council of State Neurosurgical Societies, chair of the AANS/CNS Washington Committee for Neurological Surgery and AANS president.

Following her retirement from active neurosurgical practice, Dr. Stroink has taken on another crucial role, serving as the interim CEO of the AANS. “It’s an exciting opportunity to lead the most prestigious neurosurgical organization in the world,” said Dr. Stroink. “I’m really looking forward to my stint.”

Carle Health highlights Dr. Stroink’s dedication and contributions to their organization, pointing out that her affiliation with Carle BroMenn Hospital (then Brokaw Hospital) began when her father, Hans Stroink, MD, was a pathologist. Said Dr. Stroink,

I started working in the lab and that’s where I got the buzz. I performed autopsies with my father, but the first time I saw live tissue, I knew I wasn’t going to do anything else. I’m very happy to have served patients for years.

Dr. Stroink assisted her father from seventh grade until she left for college, maintaining a connection to Carle throughout her career, given the need for neurosurgical services in her community.

She also made her mark as a female neurosurgeon. Dr. Stroink attended Southern Illinois School of Medicine, the first U.S. school to enroll 30% of women. “Having already decided to make my career in medicine, I was acutely aware of the barriers to getting into medical school as a female,” states Dr. Stroink. On the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX in 2022, she shared her experiences on gender equity in neurosurgery in the California Association of Neurological Surgeons newsletter.

Dr. Stroink was the first woman to enter the neurosurgical residency program at the Mayo Clinic. “I’m really grateful to the Mayo Clinic because they didn’t have to accept a woman, but they did,” said Dr. Stroink. “I was very happy to be a resident. Even though it was a new experience for them to train a female resident, it was a benefit for them and me.”

In 1985, Dr. Stroink founded the Central Illinois Neuro Health Sciences practice in Bloomington, Ill. She spearheaded the creation of a neurosurgery resident program at the hospital and considers teaching doctors essential and one of her favorite parts of her work.

We wish Dr. Stroink all the best in her retirement from practicing neurological surgery.

Editor’s Note: We hope you will share what you learn from our posts. We invite you to join the conversation on Twitter by following @Neurosurgery and @NeurosurgeryRE and using the hashtag #Neurosurgery.

January 9, 2024
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Cross-Post: Medical Student Tamia Potter Makes History

By Career, DEI, MentoringNo Comments

Our current series on Making and Maintaining a Neurosurgeon discusses how one transitions from student to resident to practicing neurosurgeon. In particular, we highlight what our field is doing to improve diversity and the importance of mentorship to those considering neurosurgery. How impactful can a mentor be? Incredibly. Especially when it comes to forging a path few before have traveled.

This cross-post highlights the impact mentorship had on one newly minted physician, Tamia Potter, MD, who just became the first black female neurosurgery resident at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Her story made headlines across the country, and she describes those who have inspired her along the way.

“As a child, watching my mom, a nurse, care for patients — I was always questioning why the body works the way it does,” said Dr. Potter. “I knew [then] I wanted to learn and understand how the brain and nervous system worked; I wanted to be a neurosurgeon.”

Only about 5.7% of physicians in the United States identify as Black or African American, according to recent data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Dr. Potter stresses the importance of the many mentors who have been just as instrumental throughout medical school. She recognizes her responsibility as a mentor for future students, “I didn’t get here by myself.”

Click here to read the full article published by Case Western Reserve University.

Editor’s Note: We hope you will share what you learn from our posts in the Making and Maintaining a Neurosurgeon series. We invite you to join the conversation on Twitter by following @Neurosurgery and using the hashtag #Neurosurgery.

Krystal L. Tomei, MD, MPH, FAANS, FACS, FAAP
Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital
Cleveland, Ohio

January 3, 2024
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The Transformative Power of Mentorship: Establishing a Personal Board of Directors

By Career, MentoringNo Comments

Stepping into the inaugural American Society of Black Neurosurgeons (ASBN) dinner in 2022, surrounded by almost 30 Black neurosurgeons, residents and medical students, was an indescribable experience. In that room, I encountered past program neurosurgery department chairs and senior attendings, who welcomed me into the fold with open arms. The presence of such accomplished individuals who shared my background and experiences left an indelible impact on me.

Joining the ASBN shed light on a critical flaw in my approach to mentorship. To truly flourish and reach my full potential, I recognized the need to cultivate a diverse team of mentors around me. Effective mentorship entails a combination of peer mentors, career mentors, life mentors and sponsors. I had been burdening my primary mentor unfairly, expecting him to fulfill all these roles single-handedly. Yet, he had somehow managed to keep me afloat throughout my journey — a testament to his unwavering dedication to my success. It is somewhat humbling to admit that I failed to grasp this crucial aspect of mentorship earlier in life. My experience is not unique, particularly for individuals from underrepresented groups who may face similar challenges in finding the right support network.

With this revised approach to mentorship, I have begun to forge my own path in the field of neurosurgery. With that, I present a structured approach to finding mentors, assembling a personal board of advisors, each playing a unique role but sharing a common dedication to one’s success.

  1. Peer Mentors: These are individuals in a similar or adjacent career stage, such as co-residents, fellows, or junior faculty members. This group is the one you can reach out to bounce ideas, seek advice on resident politics, prepare for cases, avoid common residency pitfalls and become involved in research.
  2. Career Mentor: A career mentor is a seasoned faculty member who can guide and refine your professional trajectory. This mentor may be from within or outside your home institution. They assist in networking, identifying fellowship opportunities and setting and achieving mid- to long-term career goals through regular check-ins.
  3. Sponsor: A sponsor is someone who knows you well and works behind the scenes to advocate for your success. This person may not be someone you communicate with regularly, but they are individuals you meet along your journey, such as at conferences or sub-internships. Sponsors are familiar with your research work and career path. They are pivotal in advocating for you when you apply for awards, grants and advancements within neurosurgery.
  4. Life Mentor: Your life mentor ideally exists outside the confines of your direct medical community. This can be a spiritual advisor, life coach or an older family member. Their role is to help you navigate the challenges of residency and beyond while staying true to yourself. Having a life mentor reminds us that we are multifaceted human beings and to maintain balance and nurture our well-being beyond just being neurosurgeons.

By assembling a mentor team, you will have a comprehensive support system that empowers you to navigate the complexities of a career in neurosurgery while fostering personal growth and resilience. This also provides a rubric for you to engage in mentoring others, paying it forward to the next generation of neurosurgeons. Recognizing the importance of mentorship, it is crucial that, as neurosurgeons, we actively incorporate teachings on mentorship in our training programs and support mentorship organizations like the ASBN and Women in Neurosurgery so we can ensure the future success of a diverse cohort of resident trainees.

Editor’s Note: We hope you will share what you learn from our posts in the Making and Maintaining a Neurosurgeon series. We invite you to join the conversation on Twitter by following @Neurosurgery and using the hashtag #Neurosurgery.

David A. Paul, MD, MS
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Penn.

December 15, 2023
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How (Not) to Approach Mentorship: A Neurosurgeon’s Perspective

By Career, MentoringNo Comments

“I’m happy to write a letter of recommendation for you, but you should know that I will only mentor you if you decide to stay here for the summer…”

This was my introduction to mentorship as a first-year medical student. The offer was straightforward, and as a first-generation student without any external mentors, I took the opportunity and applied for a summer American Association of Neurological Surgeons Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation grant to work with a neurosurgeon-scientist at my home institution. He denies having said that to this day, though I stand by my account. It marks the beginning of a long-standing mentorship and friendship that continues to shape my journey today.

This neurosurgeon challenged me to explore why some patients with pituitary tumors regain their vision after surgery while others do not. What began as a summer project evolved into an intensive two-year research endeavor. During this time, I became a part of the Academic Research Track program, pursued a Masters in Neurobiology and Anatomy and eventually achieved the remarkable milestone of being the first author of a paper published in Science Translational Medicine.

Despite the multidisciplinary nature of our project, much of the work was undertaken in relative isolation, without significant external guidance. At the outset, my scientific approach mirrored the nature of my mentoring relationships — I placed all my efforts into a single basket. Looking back, it seems almost unbelievable that our efforts culminated in such success — and that I matched into neurosurgery with a single prominent publication to my name.

This mentorship influenced my trajectory. Despite an emerging interest in spine surgery, I held onto the familiar mentorship I had come to rely on, applying for an enfolded external fellowship in endoscopic skull base surgery with my mentor’s encouragement. When I failed to match into that fellowship, I felt relief knowing that it was not my true passion but fear of starting over. It was a stark reminder that, once again, I had put all my efforts into one basket.

Faced with the challenge of finding new opportunities for my research year, I pursued an enfolded Society of Neurological Surgeons Committee on Advanced Sub-specialty Training accredited neurocritical care fellowship to strengthen my clinical acumen in my perceived weak clinical area. It was the first time during residency that I chose something solely for my own personal development rather than simply following the expectations of others. During the fellowship, I realized my passion for neurosurgery and neuroscience held the power to address the societal brokenness I witnessed. It became clear that my calling extended beyond the operating room; it intertwined with my commitment to advocate for social justice and equity. Neurotrauma, critical care, and spine bridge the gap between how I envision using my skill set and what I see as unmet needs in communities like mine.

As I delved deeper into my newfound passion for bringing neurosurgery to underserved communities, I connected with other neurosurgeons who shared similar experiences and challenges. These connections expanded my network beyond the boundaries of my institution, nurturing a sense of camaraderie and unwavering support. At the same time, the nation grappled with a renewed focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. In response, African-American neurosurgeons from across the country united, founding the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons (ASBN). The ASBN is a powerful platform, amplifying our voices, advocating for transformative change and fostering a nurturing community within our field.

Editor’s Note: We hope you will share what you learn from our posts in the Making and Maintaining a Neurosurgeon series. We invite you to join the conversation on Twitter by following @Neurosurgery and using the hashtag #Neurosurgery.

David A. Paul, MD, MS
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Penn.

December 8, 2023
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Cross-Post: How artificial intelligence is changing health care in treating stroke victims

By Digital Neurosurgery, StrokeNo Comments

On the Neurosurgery Blog, you will see us cross-posting or linking to items from other places when we believe they may interest our readers. Today, we wanted to bring attention to a recent op-ed in Fox News titled, “How artificial intelligence is changing health care in treating stroke victims.” Neurosurgeon Paul S. Saphier, MD, FAANS, discusses the importance of early intervention and how artificial intelligence (AI) is helping surgeons save even more patients.

On Thanksgiving, Dr. Saphier received an emergency stroke call and quickly sprang into action, “While Thanksgiving dinner is my favorite family tradition, this patient needed help fast. Within minutes, the team and I brought the patient to the operating room to restore blood flow to his brain. His symptoms began to improve immediately.” Early intervention is crucial for patient outcomes.

Dr. Saphier states that AI algorithms have shown remarkable capabilities in treating stroke victims, “AI can analyze brain scans, such as computed tomography (CT) to not only detect the presence of a stroke but also classify its type.” This helps health care professionals select the most appropriate course of action.

Click here to read the full article.

We hope you will share what you learn from our posts. We invite you to join the conversation on Twitter by following @Neurosurgery and @cvsection and using the hashtag #DigitalNeurosurgery.

Paul S. Saphier, MD, FAANS
Altair Health
Morristown, NJ

December 7, 2023
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Cross-Post: Gender Differences in Medicare Practice and Payments to Neurosurgeons

By Cross Post, Medicare, Women in NeurosurgeryNo 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 may interest our readers. Today, we wanted to bring attention to a recent publication in JAMA Surgery.​ The article — “Gender Differences in Medicare Practice and Payments to Neurosurgeons” by Temitope O. Oshinowo, AB, et al. compares practice metrics and earning potential between female and male neurosurgeons and examines gender disparity in Medicare reimbursement.

The authors state that despite efforts to promote diversity within the neurosurgical workforce, individuals from underrepresented groups face significant challenges. Females account for approximately 50% of medical school graduates but comprise just 18.2% of neurosurgery residents and only 6% of board-certified neurosurgeons. Female physicians in the U.S. are estimated to be compensated 25% less, or the equivalent of $2 million, in career-long earnings.

Using Medicare data across practice settings, the authors examine patterns of significant disparity in procedural volume and payments and found significant gender-based variation in practice patterns and reimbursement among neurosurgeons serving the Medicare fee-for-service population. Female surgeons were reimbursed less than male surgeons for performing the same primary procedure. “While there has been a trend of increased female representation in neurosurgery, women continue to face challenges in establishing, maintaining, and progressing within their neurosurgical careers,” according to Oshinowo et al.

Click here to read the full article.

We hope you will share what you learn from our posts. We invite you to join the conversation on Twitter by following @Neurosurgery and @WINSNeurosurge1 and using the hashtag #WomenInNeurosurgery.

December 1, 2023
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Pathway to Neurosurgery Program: Creating the Next Generation of Neurosurgeons

By Career, MentoringNo Comments

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are vital components of strategic planning in a growing number of organizations across all sectors. The health care sector is especially relevant since DEI directly affects health outcomes. In the United States, most people are aware of the racial reckoning that has resulted in the necessary dialogue around implicit bias’s harmful effects. It has also drawn attention to the Black, indigenous, and people of color who are disproportionately impacted by long-standing systems that were not created with their whole personhood in mind. Together, we can foster equitable access to high-quality care for a wide range of people while building cultural competencies that increase a sense of belonging in spaces where people might not have been able to feel included before. Within neurosurgery, DEI initiatives that engage and educate teams have great potential.

One of the major goals of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) DEI committee includes eliminating barriers to attract a diverse pool of future neurosurgical applicants. Concrete milestones with measures of success and failure support these goals, culminating in a groundbreaking program called Pathway to Neurosurgery. The CNS DEI committee developed the program to diversify applicants for neurosurgical residency. In honor of Timothy M. George, MD, FAANS, we presented the inaugural Pathway to Neurosurgery program at the CNS Annual Meeting in Austin in 2021.

2021 Pathway to Neurosurgery Program

Now led by the CNS Foundation, the program welcomes local high school students from backgrounds underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to the CNS Annual Meeting. A day-long symposium designed exclusively for them takes place near the general sessions so they spend the day surrounded by neurosurgeons and are introduced to considering a medical career, possibly even a career in neurosurgery. In 2021, 35 students from Austin joined us for an immersive experience at the convention center alongside other attendees of the annual meeting. Students who participated also applied for a one-year stipend and mentorship opportunity with a Dell Medical School neurosurgeon. We were thrilled to announce that two students were awarded a stipend for the year and a chance to spend one year with a local neurosurgeon. This tradition continues each year as longitudinal mentorship occurs with these students.

The Pathway to Neurosurgery program held its second event at the CNS Annual Meeting in San Francisco in 2022. On that day, 24 Oasis for Girls and San Francisco Achievers students, dressed in full surgical gowns and protective gear, visited multiple stations with tools and demonstrations used daily in neurosurgery. Volunteer neurosurgeons paired up with each student through the experiments, giving them feedback on holding surgical instruments and answering questions. Frank J. Bova, MD, PhD, kept a crowd of students’ interest as he described how to place an external ventricular drain shipped to San Francisco from the University of Florida just for the occasion.

2023 Pathway to Neurosurgery Program

“This is how I practice!” said an early career neurosurgeon to a wide-eyed high schooler, trying not to grip the egg too tightly as she carefully drilled through the shell. “Everyone has become involved in making this a great event for the kids,” said Maryam Rahman, MD, FAANS, one of the spearheads of the original program. Between station rotations, the students listened to speakers from various backgrounds talk about their own pathways to becoming neurosurgeons.

“I am passionate about the Pathway to Neurosurgery program because I know how meaningful it is to see someone like me in a STEM field. I spent my young life repeatedly told that I would never be a neurosurgeon. Neurosurgery must be a career option for them because we need more neurosurgeons that represent our broad spectrum of patients”, states Tiffany R. Hodges, MD, chair of the CNS Foundation’s DEI Committee.

During lunch, volunteer neurosurgeons sat at round tables with the students and casually answered their questions. Laughter and conversation bubbled throughout the day. Not only were the students enjoying themselves, but volunteer neurosurgeons also said it was one of the highlights of the CNS Annual meeting.

2023 Pathway to Neurosurgery Program

Weeks later, the CNS Foundation received feedback from many of the guests. “I never even heard of neurosurgery before I came to the event,” replied one student. “Now I’m seriously considering it for my future.” Mission accomplished.

The CNS Foundation hosted its third annual Pathway to Neurosurgery Program in Washington, D.C., during the CNS Annual Meeting in September 2023. It was a very successful event, and in recognition of this noteworthy program, the District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bower proclaimed Sept. 7-13 as Pathway to Neurosurgery Week.

The CNS Foundation is excited to continue to expand this program.

Editor’s Note: We hope you will share what you learn from our posts in the Making and Maintaining a Neurosurgeon series. We invite you to join the conversation on Twitter by following @Neurosurgery and using the hashtag #Neurosurgery.

Tiffany R. Hodges, MD
Co-Chair, CNS DEI Committee
University Hospitals
Cleveland, Ohio

November 21, 2023
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