The annual meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons was held from 13th to 17th April in San Diego, USA; it is the most important meeting at international level in the field of neurosurgery.

The title of the meeting itself, “The Science of Practice,” highlighted the goal of connecting scientific research with daily practice. In addition to scientific presentations, there were over 40 practical courses that introduced neurosurgeons to the use of the most modern technologies, in particular to the integration of new microscopes/esoscopes and intraoperative navigation with the use of the most modern techniques of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The award for Professor Servadei

The meeting was also attended by Professor Franco Servadei, neurosurgeon at Humanitas and professor at Humanitas University, who was awarded with the American International Lifetime Recognition Award: an annual award given to a non-US neurosurgeon who has contributed to the growth and development of neurosurgery throughout his career. Professor Servadei is the second Italian to receive this award.

The global education and the role of Humanitas

The award also mentions the university to which it belongs and, in this regard, Professor Servadei explains how Humanitas is an active part of the global education project promoted by the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Foundation. The aim of this project is to overcome the disparities in knowledge in neurosurgery between the various countries of the world.

“Humanitas is the WFNS reference centre: for the past two years, we have been hosting young neurosurgeons from developing countries in the Department of Neurosurgery headed by Dr Fornari for a month and we offer them the opportunity to stand by our side, watch even complex surgical procedures, have access to the most advanced technologies and discuss with us the best clinical cases and procedures to adopt”.

This is an important project, which aims to share knowledge and exchange views among specialists, so that the clinical experience and resources of the Centres of Excellence can inspire neurosurgeons from countries where opportunities are more limited, in the hope that their training will also contribute to the growth of clinical practice in their countries of origin”.