SAN FRANCISCO - Russel Hugo Patterson, Jr., MD, FACS, former Professor of Neurosurgery at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center, was presented with the 2000 Cushing Medal, the highest honor granted by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) at the AANS Annual Meeting, April 8-13, 2000. Dr. Patterson is being recognized for his many years of outstanding leadership and dedication to the field of neurological surgery.

A native of New York, Dr. Patterson earned his bachelor's degree from Stanford University and his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College. He received his neurosurgical training at New York Hospital and became Board certified in neurosurgery in 1963.

Active in many professional organizations, Dr. Patterson's leadership roles include serving as President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (1985-1986); Society of Neurological Surgeons (1989-1990); American Academy of Neurological Surgery (1983-1984); New York Medical and Surgical Society (1981-1982); New York Society of Neurosurgery (1976-1978); and the New York State Neurosurgical Society (1972-1973). In addition, Dr. Patterson has served as Chair of the AANS/CNS Section on Cerebrovascular Surgery (1976-1977); Chair of the Association of Specialty Society and Service Delegates of the American Medical Association (1980-1983); and Chair of the American Medical Association's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs (1988-1990). Presently, he serves as Chair of the AANS Adjunct Subcommittee on International Associate Membership, and as an Honorary President of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.

Dr. Patterson has authored nearly 150 books and scientific journals on such topics as intracranial cavernous and venous malformations, stroke, and traumatic injury of the brain and spine. He also has served on the editorial boards of a number of journals, including Surgical Neurology and Neurosurgery.

The Harvey Cushing Medal, the highest honor the American Association of Neurological Surgeons can bestow on a member, was established at the recommendation of President Lester Mount, MD, in 1976. Given annually since 1977, the Award recognizes an AANS member for distinguished service to the field of neurological surgery. The Board of Directors selects the recipient upon the recommendation of the Awards Committee.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with nearly 5,500 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 Board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the spine, brain, nervous system and peripheral nerves.