NEW ORLEANS (April 29, 2013) — Mark Bernstein, MD, FAANS, FRCSC, had been named the 2013 recipient of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Humanitarian Award. He will be recognized for his efforts on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, during the AANS 81st Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans, which takes place from April 27-May 1, 2013.

In addition to his role as a neurosurgeon at Toronto Western Hospital, Dr. Bernstein is a professor of surgery at the University of Toronto. During travels to such locales as Ghana and Indonesia, he has introduced innovative and life-saving neurosurgical techniques, often with a team of residents, nurses and colleagues in tow.

“Neurosurgical education and outreach, both in the developing world and at home are deep passions of mine. I take residents, fellows, students, nurse, anesthetists and other neurosurgeons on these missions to try to enculturate others to the joys of [giving back],” Dr. Bernstein says. It is also Dr. Bernstein’s love of neurosurgery that has driven his humanitarian focus. “There is not a day that I don’t spring out of bed at 4:30 a.m. to come to work. It’s the most exhilarating and rewarding job on the planet.”

The author of more than 300 scientific papers and book chapters, Dr. Bernstein is also a sought-after international lecturer and educator. In recognition of his neurosurgical teaching efforts inside and outside of the operating room, he was named the inaugural Greg Wilkins-Barrick Chair in International Surgery in 2011. Dr. Bernstein’s clinical focus is surgical neuro-oncology, and his research interests include patient safety, novel treatment strategies and outcomes. His interest in medical ethics drove his completion of a Masters of Health Science in Bioethics degree in 2003. A medical graduate of the University of Ottawa, Dr. Bernstein completed his neurosurgical residency at the University of Toronto.

Since January 1987, the AANS has conferred its Humanitarian Award to members who have given their time and talents to a charitable or public activity and whose actions have brought honor to the neurosurgical specialty.

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].

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.

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.