(SALT LAKE CITY)鈥擴niversity of Utah professor and chair of neurosurgery, William T. Couldwell, M.D., Ph.D., has been named the 2013-2014 president of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).
"Our theme for the upcoming year, 鈥楨xpanding Neurosurgery,' will explore and highlight the clinical and research opportunities that are being created by the application of current technology and science to our practice, and demonstrate avenues for career opportunities for our neurosurgical recruits," Couldwell says. "This is a remarkable time to practice neurosurgery, and I see the AANS as the leader in our educational, research and advocacy activities to enhance the care delivered to our patients."
Leveraging the strengths and expanding the mission of the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF), which was founded by the AANS, will continue to be a key priority as well. NREF funds neurosurgical residents and young faculty throughout North America who conduct basic science, patient-oriented clinical, and outcomes research in areas ranging from brain tumors and epilepsy to spine disorders and Parkinson's disease.
With more than 300 peer-reviewed publications, more than 85 book chapters, 70 abstracts and having edited several books, Couldwell is an internationally known neurosurgeon. He has served on the editorial boards of a number of professional journals, including AANS Neurosurgeon, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, Journal of Neuro-Oncology, and the Journal of Neurosurgery. He served as AANS president-elect for 2012-2013, and among other responsibilities has been on the organization's board of directors since 2006.
He received his medical degree and doctorate in neuroimmunology/molecular biology from McGill University, Montreal, completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Southern California, and then served as clinical fellow at McGill. Couldwell joined the University as chair of the neurosurgery department in 2001. His clinical interests include the surgical management of epilepsy, neuro-oncology, pituitary tumors, skull base and cerebrovascular neurosurgery.