Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Encyclopedia
The Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) is a professional body
representing neurosurgeons, neurosurgical residents, medical student
s, and allied health professionals. The mission statement of the CNS is "To enhance the health and improve lives worldwide through the advancement of education and scientific exchange."
produced a dramatic change in the world of neurological surgery. Deployed surgeons learned neurosurgery
while on active duty in one of the armed services. Others experienced either abbreviated training, or had their program interrupted when called to active duty. After the war these surgeons returned to the U.S. with a need to add academic credibility to their training. Existing neurosurgical training programs incorporated these surgeons and the number of training sites proliferated. Thus, in the late 1940s there was an explosion in the numbers of young neurosurgeons surfacing in communities and seeking recognition from organized neurosurgical societies. There was intense resistance from the established neurosurgical community, however, to this new group of neurosurgeons. The Harvey Cushing
Society (currently the AANS), did not immediately recognize this new group of neurosurgeons and made efforts to exclude them from their organization.
The precursor to the CNS was the Interurban Neurosurgical Society organized by neurosurgeons Adrian Verbruggen and Harold Voris meeting at the University Club of Chicago
. The society was open to all neurosurgeons living no more than one travel day away from Chicago. It met for one day only (Saturday). There was a mailing list but no dues, by-laws, officers or publications. About 150 neurosurgeons attended once a year. Most attendees were from the northeast, mid atlantic, southeast, and midwest. One or two discussion topics were introduced in the morning and one or two different topics were considered in the afternoon. Eventually, a more organized effort was put together when twenty two neurosurgeons met in St. Louis, Missouri. They became the Founding Members of the CNS. In 1951, the first formal organizing and scientific meeting was convened in Memphis, Tennessee
, attended by 121 neurosurgeons. The CNS was infolded into the AANS for several years until it held its own independent meeting in 2000, completing the separation of the two organizations. The CNS has expanded significantly and is now one of the major neurosurgical societies in the world with over 7000 members worldwide.
Total 6,682
These members have Internet only access to CNS publications (see below).
.
, a peer reviewed, monthly publication. The CNS also produces Clinical Neurosurgery, which contains the proceedings of the annual meeting. Additionally, the CNS publishes CNS Quarterly which updates members on various CNS activities including socio-economic and political activities of the organization on a quarterly basis.
is the monthly scientific journal owned and controlled by the CNS. Its current (2010 Journal Citation Reports
) impact factor is 3.298 placing it 18th out of 187 peer-reviewed surgical journals, and 50th out of 185 peer-reviewed clinical neurology journals.
credits.
Professional body
A professional association is usually a nonprofit organization seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest.The roles of these professional associations have been variously defined: "A group of people in a...
representing neurosurgeons, neurosurgical residents, medical student
Medical Student
Medical Student may refer to:*Someone studying at medical school*Medical Student Newspaper, a UK publication...
s, and allied health professionals. The mission statement of the CNS is "To enhance the health and improve lives worldwide through the advancement of education and scientific exchange."
History
World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
produced a dramatic change in the world of neurological surgery. Deployed surgeons learned neurosurgery
Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spine, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system.-In the United States:In...
while on active duty in one of the armed services. Others experienced either abbreviated training, or had their program interrupted when called to active duty. After the war these surgeons returned to the U.S. with a need to add academic credibility to their training. Existing neurosurgical training programs incorporated these surgeons and the number of training sites proliferated. Thus, in the late 1940s there was an explosion in the numbers of young neurosurgeons surfacing in communities and seeking recognition from organized neurosurgical societies. There was intense resistance from the established neurosurgical community, however, to this new group of neurosurgeons. The Harvey Cushing
Harvey Cushing
Harvey Williams Cushing, M.D. , was an American neurosurgeon and a pioneer of brain surgery, and the first to describe Cushing's syndrome...
Society (currently the AANS), did not immediately recognize this new group of neurosurgeons and made efforts to exclude them from their organization.
The precursor to the CNS was the Interurban Neurosurgical Society organized by neurosurgeons Adrian Verbruggen and Harold Voris meeting at the University Club of Chicago
University Club of Chicago
The University Club of Chicago is a private social club located at 76 East Monroe Street at the corner of Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, Illinois...
. The society was open to all neurosurgeons living no more than one travel day away from Chicago. It met for one day only (Saturday). There was a mailing list but no dues, by-laws, officers or publications. About 150 neurosurgeons attended once a year. Most attendees were from the northeast, mid atlantic, southeast, and midwest. One or two discussion topics were introduced in the morning and one or two different topics were considered in the afternoon. Eventually, a more organized effort was put together when twenty two neurosurgeons met in St. Louis, Missouri. They became the Founding Members of the CNS. In 1951, the first formal organizing and scientific meeting was convened in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, attended by 121 neurosurgeons. The CNS was infolded into the AANS for several years until it held its own independent meeting in 2000, completing the separation of the two organizations. The CNS has expanded significantly and is now one of the major neurosurgical societies in the world with over 7000 members worldwide.
Membership
Membership in the Congress of Neurological Surgeons is available to board-certified and board-eligible neurosurgeons, residents, fellows, as well as nursing and allied health professionals from the US and worldwide. Member dues support the educational efforts, annual meetings, publications, physician and patient resources, job placement service, advocacy, and practice management resources.Current Membership and Membership Categories
- Active 3,075
- Active International 492
- Honorary 12
- Senior 958
- Inactive 453
- International Vista 372
- Resident 1,145
- Associate 28
- Affiliate 68
- Transitional 79
Total 6,682
Active Membership
An applicant for Active Membership in the Congress must be a licensed physician, whose practice is substantially limited to neurological surgery. Further, an applicant for Active Membership must:- be certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians or Surgeons of Canada, or the equivalent; or
- have completed the residency training requirements of a program approved by the American Board of Neurological Surgery; or
- have acceptable academic training equivalent to the requirements for eligibility for examination by the American Board of Neurological Surgery; or
- be a member in good standing in the applicant's local or regional medical society, or provide equivalent documentation of good standing in the local medical community. Applicants who are active duty officers in the Armed Forces are exempt from this requirement.
Active International
Neurosurgeons who live and practice outside of North America (the United States, its territories, Canada and Mexico) may become Active Members with full rights, privileges, and financial obligations. Active International Members may participate in all Congress Activities and may serve as members of committees and as consultants, but may not hold office or committee chairs. Active International Members may not vote.Affiliate Membership
Affiliate Members are individuals who are (a) Allied Healthcare Professionals (nurses, physicians' assistants, etc.), (b) involved in neurosurgically related patient care, teaching or research, and (c) have been recommended for membership in writing by one Active Member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Affiliate Members pay dues and may serve on committees but may not vote or hold office.Associate Members
Associate Members are physicians and/or scientists who (a) are not neurological surgeons, (b) have shown distinction in some neurosurgically related discipline, and (c) have been recommended for membership in writing by two Active Members of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.Honorary Members
Honorary Membership may be granted to certain individuals whom the Executive Committee selects without reference to the foregoing qualifications.Inactive Members
Active Members in good standing may apply to the Secretary in writing for Inactive Membership, due to the onset of long-term illness, retirement from active practice, or for other reasons deemed sufficient by the Executive Committee.International Vista
All eligible neurosurgeons must- Reside and practice outside North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico).
- Be a member of your local or regional Neurosurgical Society.
- Provide a letter of verification or certificate from your local or regional society confirming your member status via mail or fax
These members have Internet only access to CNS publications (see below).
Resident Members
Resident Membership is available to any resident or fellow in good standing in a neurosurgical training program in North America approved by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada or the equivalent entity in Mexico, or in a fellowship immediately following completion of a neurological surgery training program.Senior Members
Senior Membership is granted to any person 65 years of age or older is an Active Member in good standing. Senior Members are exempt from payment of annual dues. Senior Members may continue to participate in committee activities, to receive the annual meeting program, to purchase Congress publications at member rates, and to avail themselves of such other benefits of membership as the Executive Committee may determine. Senior Members may be reinstated to Active Membership on request, subject to approval of the Executive Committee.Medical Student Members
Available to medical students interested in a career in neurosurgery.Educational Mission
The CNS has multiple efforts aimed at advancing neurosurgical education to practicing neurosurgeons, resident neurosurgeons, and medical students. These efforts include online products and services such as the University of Neurosurgery , the NeuroWiki , and Self Assessment in Neurological Surgery (SANS) . Many of these educational efforts provide credits for Continuing medical educationContinuing medical education
Continuing medical education refers to a specific form of continuing education that helps those in the medical field maintain competence and learn about new and developing areas of their field. These activities may take place as live events, written publications, online programs, audio, video, or...
.
Maintenance of Certification
Board certified neurosurgeons must successfully pass a Maintenance of Certification exam in order to remain board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. A component of re-certification is successful completion of the Self Assessment in Neurological Surgery (SANS) examination every 3 years.Publications
The official scientific journal of the CNS is NeurosurgeryNeurosurgery (journal)
Neurosurgery is a monthly peer reviewed medical journal of neurosurgery and the official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. It is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins...
, a peer reviewed, monthly publication. The CNS also produces Clinical Neurosurgery, which contains the proceedings of the annual meeting. Additionally, the CNS publishes CNS Quarterly which updates members on various CNS activities including socio-economic and political activities of the organization on a quarterly basis.
Neurosurgery
NeurosurgeryNeurosurgery (journal)
Neurosurgery is a monthly peer reviewed medical journal of neurosurgery and the official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. It is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins...
is the monthly scientific journal owned and controlled by the CNS. Its current (2010 Journal Citation Reports
Journal Citation Reports
Journal Citation Reports is an annual publication by the Healthcare & Science division of Thomson Reuters. It has been integrated with the Web of Knowledge, by Thomson Reuters, and is accessed from the Web of Science to JCR Web. It provides information about academic journals in the sciences and...
) impact factor is 3.298 placing it 18th out of 187 peer-reviewed surgical journals, and 50th out of 185 peer-reviewed clinical neurology journals.
Annual Scientific Meeting
The CNS holds its three and a half day annual meeting in the fall of each year . The meeting presents the latest in all aspects of neurosurgical research, including basic, translational, and clinical. Scientific presentations are made in oral and poster format. All sections of neurosurgery are represented during the meeting including: Cerebrovascular, Spine, Tumor, Peripheral Nerve, Pain, Stereotactic and Functional, Pediatric, and Trauma. Attending the annual meeting provides medical attendees with Continuing medical educationContinuing medical education
Continuing medical education refers to a specific form of continuing education that helps those in the medical field maintain competence and learn about new and developing areas of their field. These activities may take place as live events, written publications, online programs, audio, video, or...
credits.
Advocacy Efforts
The AANS/CNS Washington Committee advocates for neurosurgery in the following areas:- Medical MalpracticeMedical malpracticeMedical malpractice is professional negligence by act or omission by a health care provider in which the treatment provided falls below the accepted standard of practice in the medical community and causes injury or death to the patient, with most cases involving medical error. Standards and...
Reform - Tort ReformTort reformTort reform refers to proposed changes in common law civil justice systems that would reduce tort litigation or damages. Tort actions are civil common law claims first created in the English commonwealth system as a non-legislative means for compensating wrongs and harm done by one party to...
- Adequate MedicareMedicare (United States)Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over; to those who are under 65 and are permanently physically disabled or who have a congenital physical disability; or to those who meet other...
Reimbursement - Pay-for-Performance Issues
- EMTALA Issues
- Patient Safety Issues