Newswise — DENVER (April 11, 2011) – The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) will hold its 79th Annual Scientific Meeting at the Colorado Convention Center, April 9-13, 2011. The AANS is expected to host more than 6,000 attendees, with an estimated 3,000 medical professionals including neurosurgeons, neurosurgical residents, medical students, neuroscience nurses, clinical specialists, physician assistants and allied health professionals.

The AANS is reprising the success of last year’s annual meeting with Scientific Meeting content delivered and accessible via the iPod touch®, iPad® or iPhone®. Several enhancements have been made from last year based on member and exhibitor feedback. For attendees that do not have one of these devices, iPods will be available for purchase on site, preloaded with the AANS application. For those with one of the three devices, the app will be available in the iTunes store and all attendees must download this from their iTunes account prior to arriving in Denver. To download the app, your device will need to be upgraded with the latest software available from Apple.

The AANS Annual Scientific Meeting is the largest gathering of neurosurgeons in the nation. The meeting focuses on the latest research and technological advances in the field. During the weekend, 34 practical clinics and four International Masters practical clinics will offer state-of-the art continuing medical education to medical attendees only. The Scientific Program, which opens officially on Monday, April 11, includes 18 general scientific sessions, three plenary sessions, an International Symposium in memory of the Japanese neurosurgery pioneer Kenichiro Sugita, MD, 66 breakfast seminars, 174 oral abstract presentations, nearly 500 electronic poster presentations, and 800 exhibit booths representing about 205 companies.

Keynote speaker, Nathaniel Philbrick, a champion sailor, award-winning scholar and bestselling author will give the Cushing Oration at 12:08 pm on Tuesday, April 12. Monday, April 11 lectures include: The Rhoton Family Lecturer Robert F. Spetzler, MD, 9:51 am; The Hunt-Wilson Lecturer Richard Gilbertson, MD, PhD, 10:45 am; and The Ronald L. Bittner Lecturer Raymond Sawaya, MD, 2:00 pm. Tuesday, April 12 lectures include: The Richard C. Schneider Lecturer Jon H. Robertson, MD, 9:45 am; and The Theodore Kurze Lecturer Ian Suk, BScBMC, CMI, 11:07 am. Wednesday, April 13 lectures include: The Louise Eisenhardt Lecturer Kristen Iversen, 9:45 am; and The Van Wagenen Lecturer Lars Olson, PhD, 11:51 am.

The 2011 AANS Annual Meeting press kit includes releases on highlighted scientific research, AANS officer and award winners, and National Neurosurgery Awareness Week. These releases will be posted under Media on the AANS website. Additional information about the AANS Annual Meeting and the Preliminary Program is available at: http://www.aans.org/Annual%20Meeting/2011.aspx.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with over 8,000 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. All active members of the AANS are Board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, A.C.

Media Representatives: If you would like to cover the meeting or interview a neurosurgeon – either on-site or via telephone – please contact the AANS Communications Department at (847) 378-0517 or call the Annual Meeting Press Room beginning Monday, April 11 at (303) 228-8431.