Report from the 2008 SCANS Annual Meeting

The 2008 SCANS Annual Meeting was well received by all attendees. Dr Cristian Vera was honored with the SCANS service award in neurosurgery for his lifetime contribution to the education of neurosurgeons in South Carolina. SCANS also made a $5,000 donation to the MUSC Foundation for the establishment of an endowed lectureship in neurosurgery in Dr. Vera’s honor. The new SCANS website was presented. The official registration and incorporation of SCANS with the South Carolina Secretary of State was also announced.

The keynote speaker was Dr Doug Kondziolka who gave an excellent review of stereotactic radiosurgery, including indications and complications. A series of talks and panel discussions were undertaken including topics on helmet use in motorcyclists, endoscopic pituitary surgery, surgical treatment of adult scoliosis, pediatric skull deformity, the impact of the 80 hour work week in resident education, a medicolegal review, and the vascular center at MUSC. Particularly well received were the panel discussions on complex spinal surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery.

A consensus was reached by the membership present* as well as the current officers (William Naso MD, Preseident; George Khoury MD, Vice President; Christie Mina MD, Secretary) regarding the continued need for an annual meeting to meet the educational needs of South Carolina neurosurgeons by increasing physician knowledge and competency as well as promoting better patient care. The officers and membership underscored the underlying mission of SCANS:

  • To promote educational opportunities and exchange of ideas among neurosurgeons in South Carolina
  • To bring together in a representative organization neurosurgeons in South Carolina in order to better promote and foster quality care for neurosurgical patients

Because of the success of the 2007 and 2008 meetings the following goals were set for the 2009 meeting:

  • An all day meeting with more time dedicated to panel discussions and case presentations
  • The obtaining of CME credit for future meetings
  • Increased participation of South Carolina neurosurgeons in the annual meeting

Respectfully,
William B. Naso MD

* Sharon Webb MD, Dilan Ellegala MD, Steve Takacs MD, Andy Pool MD, Bret Gunter MD, Troy Vaughn MD, Abhay Varma MD, Steve Rawe MD, Brian Cuddy MD, William Naso MD, Chris Paramore MD, Howard Farrell MD, Steven Glazier MD, Byron Bailey MD, Christie Mina MD, Cristian Vera MD, Sunil Patel,MD, Larry Davidson MD, Phil Esce MD, Gene Giddens MD, Geradl Meier MD, Lenwood Smith MD, Raymond Sweet MD