TORONTO (April 23, 2001) -- Frank P. Smith, MD, was recognized with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) 2001 Distinguished Service Award, at the AANS Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, April 21-26, 2001 on Monday, April 23. The Award recognized Dr. Smith for his many accomplishments and years of dedication to the field of neurosurgery.
Born in Rochester, New York, Dr. Smith earned his medical degree at the University of Rochester. After completing a surgical internship at Strong Memorial Hospital, he entered the military and took part in the Normandy Invasion and served as Commanding Officer of a mobile surgical unit with General Patton's Third Army. He was awarded a Purple Heart and three Battle Stars for his valor. After completing his residency at the University of Rochester, he became a faculty member at the University.
He was Chairman of the Neurosurgical Service at the University from 1954-74. In 1974, he moved to the Monterey Peninsula in California to practice neurosurgery. Dr. Smith has been a longtime leader in neurosurgery. He was the first president of the New York State Neurosurgical Society (1959), President of the Neurosurgical Society of America (1969), President of the California Association of Neurosurgeons (1989) and President of the Western Neurosurgical Society (1998). He has authored a textbook and numerous scientific articles on basic neurosciences, brain tumors, intracranial aneurysms, intractable pain and pediatric neurosurgery.
Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with nearly 5,800 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 Board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the spinal column, spinal cord, brain, nervous system and peripheral nerves.
