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CONTACT: 847/378-0500Heather Monroe ([email protected])

American Association of Neurological Surgeons To Hold 69th Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TORONTO (April 23, 2001) -- The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) will hold its 69th Annual Meeting April 21 to 26, 2001, at the Metro Toronto Convention Center in Toronto, Ontario. The meeting will host more than 5,000 attendees, with approximately 2,500 medical professionals including neurosurgeons, neurosurgical residents, neuroscience nurses, clinical specialists, physician assistants and allied health professionals.

The AANS Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of neurosurgeons in the world. The meeting focuses on the latest research and technological advances in the field.

Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system, brain, spinal column and spinal cord and includes brain tumors, severe head injuries, stroke, aneurysms and pain management.

The Scientific Program, which includes 36 practical clinics, 21 scientific sessions, 129 oral abstract presentations, 574 poster presentations and 750 technical and institutional exhibits, (representing over 190 companies), begins on Monday, April 23. Some of the research topics to be highlighted during the meeting include

The first major presentation of the meeting will be a special lecture by Albert Rhoton, Jr. (April 23), Alan Hudson (April 24) and Dennis Choi (April 25).

In addition, NBC Nightly News Anchor Tom Brokaw, who will deliver the Cushing Oration on Tuesday, April 24 at 10:05 a.m.; The Richard C. Schneider Lecturer, Albert L. Rhoton, Jr. will discuss microsurgery on Monday, April 23 at 11:40 a.m.; Alan R Hudson, retired president and CEO of the University Health Network in Toronto will discuss "The Canadian Health Care System: Lessons for the U.S.?," on Tuesday, April 24 at 9:15 a.m. and the Hunt Wilson Lecturer Dennis W/ Choi will discuss "Molecular Mechanisms of Ishemia and Brain Protection," on Wednesday, April 25 at 11:15 a.m.

The 2001 AANS Annual Meeting press kit including press releases and fact sheets on several neurosurgical procedures, is located in the Media Center Section of the AANS Web site at: www.neurosurgery.org/aans. The entire AANS annual meeting program also is available online.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons is a scientific and educational association with nearly 5,800 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. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the spinal column, spinal cord, brain, nervous system and peripheral nerves.

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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 23, at 416/585-3878 (3879).