Newswise — The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF), which reached an agreement with Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. (Codman) in December 2009 to provide funding to the NREF in support of the Foundation’s new post-residency, clinical fellowship grant program, is pleased to announce that the following programs have been awarded fellowship funding for 2010-2011: Baylor College of Medicine (pediatric neurosurgery), Brigham & Women’s Hospital (general neurosurgery), Rush University (stereotactic/functional neurosurgery), University of Utah (pediatric neurosurgery), and Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington (skull base/cerebrovascular neurosurgery).
Fellowship grant submissions were accepted in neurosurgical subspecialties including general neurosurgery, pediatric neurosurgery, neurosurgical oncology, peripheral nerves, neurocritical care, stereotactic/functional neurosurgery and other cerebrovascular-related areas (with the exception of endovascular). Codman’s fellowship funding for these categories is now managed through this grant program and administered by the NREF.
"Through this funding, Codman has demonstrated its continuing commitment to furthering clinical education. The 2010-2011 funding will provide neurosurgeons with a unique opportunity to learn advanced cutting-edge techniques in general neurosurgery, as well as techniques specific to pediatrics, stereotactic/functional, and skull base/cerebrovascular. This additional education will enhance their ability to improve the quality of life for children and adults with debilitating and often life-threatening conditions," stated Griffith R. Harsh IV, MD, FACS, NREF chair.
The NREF is responsible for all aspects of the fellowship grant program, including review and approval of grant applications. The NREF has awarded grants based upon established fellowship program criteria and the needs of the requesting hospital and/or academic institution. A new NREF Educational Grants Committee (EGC) was formed in fall 2009, comprised of neurosurgeons that do not receive financial or other support from the medical device industry, to review and approve fellowship grant applications in an independent, unbiased manner. Individuals serving on the Educational Grants Committee are volunteers and do not receive compensation from the NREF for their efforts.
“This year’s funding is very important to furthering several subspecialties in neurosurgery, including pediatrics where there is a great need for additional neurosurgeons, and stereotactic/functional, an area that is seeing exciting and rapid advances in the minimally invasive treatment of a wide range of conditions. Research is integral to building on the ever-evolving technologies in neurosurgery, with the ultimate goal of improving the efficacy of procedures and patient outcome,” stated AANS President Troy M. Tippett, MD, FACS.
For more information about the post-residency, clinical fellowship funding program and all other NREF grants and awards, please contact Michele S. Gregory at (847) 378-0540 or [email protected].
About the NREF
The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) of the American Association of Neurosurgeons was established in 1981 in direct response to the reduction in federal and private funding for medical research. The mission of the NREF is to provide a private, non-governmental source of funding for research training in the neurosciences. Since its inception, the NREF has awarded 145 grants totaling over $6 million. As a result, significant advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of aneurisms, brain tumors, strokes, and spinal disorders, as well as an increased understanding and interest in pain therapy, stem cell research, biomaterials and pediatric epilepsy. Many of NREF’s awardees have received additional funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue their research.
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