Newswise — NEW ORLEANS (April 29, 2013) — Each year, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) recognizes a neurosurgeon who has made significant contributions to the neurosurgical specialty through leadership, service and dedication. In 2013, the AANS bestows Jon H. Robertson, MD, FAANS, FACS, with its highest member honor, the Harvey Cushing Medal. Dr. Robertson will receive the award during a special presentation on April 30, during the AANS 81st Annual Scientific Meeting, which takes place April 27-May 1, 2013, in New Orleans.

“During my professional career, I have focused on improving opportunities for neurosurgical education, and emphasized the importance of mentoring residents in training and young neurosurgeons in practice. It has been my privilege to serve the AANS and have the opportunity to contribute in whatever small way possible to advance the mission of our national organization,” Dr. Robertson says. “I am deeply appreciative to those who have chosen me for this award. It has been an honor to serve.”

For the past 33 years, Dr. Robertson has been a neurosurgeon at the Semmes-Murphy Neurologic and Spine Institute in Memphis, where his clinical focuses include the surgical management of tumors affecting the cranial base of the skull. In 1979, Dr. Robertson began a storied academic career as a faculty member at the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences’ Department of Neurosurgery. He climbed the ranks from assistant professor to chairman, a role in which he presided until his retirement from the university in 2011.

A past president of the AANS, Dr. Robertson’s volunteer service also includes presidencies for the North American Skull Base Society and the Society of University Neurosurgeons in 2002 and 2005, respectively. In 2006, he completed a six-year stint on the American Board of Neurological Surgeons’ Board of Directors, in addition to directorships at the Semmes-Murphy Institute and the Medical Education and Research Institute.

A 1971 graduate of the University of Tennessee Medical School, Dr. Robertson worked as an emergency room physician and general practitioner before beginning his neurosurgical residency at the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences in 1975.

About the 2013 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting: Attended by neurosurgeons, neurosurgical residents, medical students, neuroscience nurses, clinical specialists, physician assistants, allied health professionals and other medical professionals, the AANS Annual Scientific Meeting is the largest gathering of neurosurgeons in the nation, with an emphasis on the field’s latest research and technological advances. A record-breaking 1,003 scientific abstracts were presented for review at the 2013 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting, and the scientific presentations given at this year’s event represent cutting-edge examples of the incredible developments taking place within the field of neurosurgery. Additional information about the AANS Annual Scientific Meeting and the Meeting Program can be found at http://www.aans.org/Annual Meeting/2013/Main/Home.aspx.

Media Representatives: The 2013 AANS Annual Meeting Press Kit includes releases on highlighted scientific research, AANS officer and award winners, National Neurosurgery Awareness Week, and other relevant information about this year’s program. Those releases also will be posted under the Media area on the 2013 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting website (http://www.aans.org/Annual Meeting/2013/Main/Media.aspx). If you would have interest in a topic related to neurosurgery or would like to interview a neurosurgeon — either on-site or via telephone — during this year’s event, please contact John Iwanski, AANS Director of Member and Public Outreach, via the onsite press room at (504) 670-4910 or e-mail him at [email protected].

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with nearly 8,300 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 certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) of Canada or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, AC. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system including the spinal column, spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves. For more information, visit www.AANS.org.