SAN DIEGO (May 4, 2009) - Samuel J. Hassenbusch, MD, PhD, will be recognized posthumously with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) 2009 Distinguished Service Award, to be presented to his wife, Rhonda Hassenbusch by James R. Bean, MD, AANS president at 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, at the AANS Annual Meeting in San Diego, May 4-6, 2009. This award honors Dr. Hassenbusch for his many years of outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to the field of neurosurgery. Dr. Hassenbusch passed away at the age of 54 on February 25, 2008, after fighting a courageous battle with glioblastoma.

A member of the AANS since 1993, Dr. Hassenbusch served as co-chairman of the AANS/CNS Committee on Coding and Reimbursement, a subcommittee of the Washington Committee, from 2002 to 2005. In 1999, he was appointed to the CPT Editorial Panel, not missing a single meeting in eight years, except for the one that coincided with his initial brain tumor surgery in June 2005.

"While Dr. Hassenbusch was waging his own valiant struggle against brain cancer, he continued to work to improve treatment and care for his brain tumor patients, a lifelong pursuit that took on particularly poignant meaning after his own diagnosis. He recognized that he was in a special position to serve cancer patients, participating in glioblastoma clinical trials, accepting invitations to speak to cancer groups, appearing on the CBS Nightly News, and meeting with members of the U.S. Congress to discuss the concerns of cancer patients," remarked Dr. Bean.

Dr. Hassenbusch received his undergraduate, medical and doctorate degrees from Johns Hopkins University and Medical School.

At the time of his death, Dr. Hassenbusch was professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. With his colleagues, Dr. Hassenbusch is credited with developing novel techniques, therapies and methods for infusing drugs to block pain. His research interest in pain treatment complemented an interest in computer-guided stereotactic techniques for brain tumor biopsies, focused radiation therapy, and direct injection of chemotherapy agents into brain tumors. His involvement in research was reflected in 31 book chapters and 81 articles he published in peer-reviewed journals.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with more than 7,400 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to patients. 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.

# # #