Special Announcement

It gives me great pleasure to invite you for the AASAN general body meeting and hear some exciting new developments. The Congress of Neurological Surgeons has selected India as its guest for the 2009 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, and the Neurological Society of India (NSI) has graciously accepted this offer. The upcoming exchange of neurosurgical expertise coincides with AASAN’s stated mission of promoting bilateral educational opportunities.

Dr. David Adelson (incoming CNS President) has requested AASAN leadership to facilitate the effort and the Congress has placed a $25,000 challenge grant towards this goal. We have been charged with facilitating the involvement of 100 neurosurgeons from the sub-continent for the New Orleans meeting. David will be present at the Monday meeting to discuss this historic event.

AASAN is forming an Ad hoc committee to develop the program, selection process, and manage the funds for this project. Volunteers are needed for this sub-committee, which will likely continue to facilitate future educational events planned by CNS-NSI for a 2010 Neurosurgical Forum in India.

Several members in industry have already pledged financial support of this effort and I encourage each of you to actively take part in the process.

I am proud to serve this organization along with your energetic leadership towards reaching our stated goals. As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Sincerely,

Jogi V. Pattisapu, MD

AASAN President

(407)448-3197 cell

(407)649-7686 office

JPattisapu@PedNeurosurgery.net

**AASAN Meeting - Monday, April 28, 2008 from 5:30-7:00PM

Hilton Chicago - Lake Ontario Room, 8th floor

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Minutes of AASAN Meeting at AANS (Chicago) 21 Attendees

Monday, April 28, 2008

Started at 5:47 PM

Chicago Hilton

Minutes

1. Opening remarks by Jogi Pattisapu

-Minutes from last meeting received by members electronically and approved as presented

- AASAN brochure (created by Ashwini Sharan) passed around to group and was well received.

2. Introduction of attendees

3. Presentation by Girish Hiremath (2007 Ambassador) of his successful visit to various centers well received by the audience with follow up discussion to maintain such successful efforts.

4. Raj Narayan discussed the Exchange Program and gave updates on the Ambassador & Fellowship Programs.

- A request was made for young neurosurgeons from academic institutions/community hospitals to send in abstracts for upcoming CNS.

- Few applicants have come through due to visa application, etc.

5. Introduction of Dr. David Adelson (incoming CNS President)

- He announced that the CNS considers India as a partner, and working closely with NSI.

- A challenge grant of $25,000 is offered by CNS to AASAN as educational support for the 2009 New Orleans meeting, with India (and the region) as the guest.

- The challenge was discussed and the goal is support 50-100 guests from South Asia.

- Dr. Shekar requested that neurosurgeons from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka be included as well. Discussion ensued, and AASAN will be inviting guests from these countries.

- Dr. Adelson will travel to the Mumbai NSI meeting in December (with Ashwini Sharan) and maintain active discussions with Dr. Basant Misra.

- Dr. Nanda suggested speakers of India-American descent, i.e. Bobby Jindal, Kiran Desai, Shashi Tharoor, UN Secretary General as honored guests of the CNS 2009 meeting. Discussion ensued.

-.Educational programs will be offered (i.e. epilepsy, head injury, etc.) which are region specific. Dr. Rezai Ali has begun discussions with AASAN leadership to develop the 2009 meeting scientific content and proper inclusion of visiting NSI members.

6. Pledges of support collected.

$2500 level $1000 - $2499 level

Ashwini Sharan Laligham Sekar

Raj Narayan Rachana Tyagi

Jogi Pattisapu X 2 Suhas Pai

Shripathi Holla X 2 Nitin Tandon

Nizam Razack X 2 Vidyadhar Chitale

Shekar Kurpad

Arnold Menezes

Shanker Sundrani

7. A message from P. Laxminarain, Worldwide President, Codman was read to the membership.

- Codman has pledged unconditional support of $25,000 for the 2009 CNS-NSI meeting. They would like to bring 100 people from India, using AASAN as a vehicle to accomplish this goal.

8. Jogi Pattisapu suggested creating an Ad Hoc committee for the purpose of this exchange and the design of an educational component, selection criteria, publicity, etc. This was approved by the members.

- Ashwini Sharan, Dr. Basant Misra, and Dr. Rajshekar volunteered to be part of the committee. Others were requested to join and offer suggestions.

- Dr. Adelson suggested identifying speakers with achievements of excellence, i.e. someone who has transcended boundaries. He requested AASAN to come up with a list of 2 non-neurosurgery speakers/day identifying how they fit into the program. Members were encouraged to help develop this list and forward names and contact information.

9. Treasurer’s report was presented by Jogi in Dr. Chander Kohli’s absence.

- We have$2150 in the active account, and $38,629 in the CD, for a total of $40,779

- Members were encouraged to pay their dues and becoming life members was encouraged.

10. Raj Narayan spoke about the Ad Hoc Committee for the CNS 2009.

- The plan is to have speakers from India attend the 2009 CNS then attend the 2010 NSI.

- Reminder that the WFNS meeting is in Boston in August, 2009.

- We already have commitments of at least $50,000, plus support from members, so the process is actively supported by the AASSAN membership, and promises to be quite exciting. Members were encouraged to become involved in the various aspects of program development.

- Process of selection, abstract submission requirements, level of support for academic/private neurosurgeons, younger/established neurosurgeons, etc. was discussed briefly. Dr. Menezes is involved in the program development and will help guide the process.

- There is a need to identify neurosurgeons that could make the trip in September 2008 to CNS Orlando, to be involved in the scientific event planning. Members to forward names to Ashwini Sharan.

- Dr. Menezes stressed the need for industry support such as asking the CNS to waive the registration fee for visiting Indian Neurosurgeons. Members encouraged to seek support from local vendors (here and abroad).

11. Members attending the CNS 2008 Orlando meeting are encouraged to participate in the process and help spread the message by bringing in 2 new members to the AASAN meeting on Monday following the opening reception.

12. Dr. Pattisapu invited Dr. Mark Luciano (Cleveland Clinic) to speak about his experience in India.

- Dr. Luciano reported that he went to NIMHANS, NSI in Agra, Mumbai.

- He is very interested in fostering an exchange between the US and India, especially in the areas of basic science/research.

13. Dr. Holla gave a brief Secretary report, and stated that things are moving in the right direction. He reminded members to send in their dues and update their e-mail addresses and other contact info.

14. Meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM with 15 members attending dinner at India House restaurant.

Next meeting during CNS Orlando on Monday, September 22^nd 2008 at 5:30 PM.