EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE ON MAY 3, 2004

ORLANDO (May 3, 2004) - John A. Kusske, MD, was recognized with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) 2004 Distinguished Service Award, at 12:15 p.m. on Monday, May 3, at the AANS Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, May 1-6, 2004. The Award recognized Dr. Kusske for his many accomplishments and years of dedication to the field of neurosurgery.

An active member of the AANS since 1975, he has served as a member of the AANS Physician Reimbursement Committee (1993-present); member of the Washington Committee (1994-present); Chair of the AANS Managed Care Advisory Committee (1994-present); member of the AANS Board of Directors (1996-1999); Vice President of the AANS (2000-2001); Chair of the AANS Cost Containment Task Force (1996-1999); member of the AANS Finance Committee (1996-1999); and Editorial Board member to the AANS Bulletin (1999-2004).

Dr. Kusske is the former Professor and Chairman of Neurological Surgery at the University of California (Irvine). He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California (Berkeley) and his medical degree from the University of California School of Medicine (San Francisco). Soon after, he completed his internship at the University of California Hospitals (San Francisco) and his neurosurgical residency at the University of Washington (Seattle). Dr Kusske became Board certified in neurosurgery in 1974. He served two years in the U.S. Army Medical Corps.

In addition to his service in the AANS, Dr. Kusske has served as President of the Society of Neurological Surgeons for Orange County (1980-1981); Examiner of the American Board of Neurological Surgery (1982); President of the Western Neurosurgical Society (1994-1995); and President of the California Association of Neurological Surgeons (1996-1997).

An active clinician and researcher, Dr. Kusske has authored numerous books and articles for scientific journals on such topics as epilepsy, vascular malformations and tumors. In addition, he is a renowned authority on managed care issues and has lectured on practice management topics to audiences across the nation.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with more than 6,500 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.

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Media Representatives: If you would like to cover the meeting or interview a neurosurgeon - either on-site or via telephone - please contact the AANS Communications Department at 847/378-0517 or call the Annual Meeting Press Room beginning Monday, May 3, at 407/685-5408.