In recognition of his many years of dedication to neurosurgical science and the medical community, Thomas B. Flynn, MD, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been named the recipient of the 1999 Humanitarian Award of The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). The Award, which recognizes Dr. Flynn for his extensive volunteer work in southeast Asia, was presented at the AANS Annual Meeting, April 24-29, 1999, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Dr. Flynn has been in private practice in Louisiana since 1967. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of the South and his medical degree from Tulane University. He served his surgical internship at Charity Hospital of Louisiana, his fellowship in neurological surgery at the Ochsner Foundation, and his residency in neurological surgery at Tulane University Medical School.

Over the past 13 years, Dr. Flynn has responded to the neurosurgical needs of people in southeast Asia by volunteering his time and surgical skills. He and his medical staff have made more than 22 trips to Thailand, providing much-needed care to patients and raising funds to establish fellowships for Thai neurosurgeons to come to the United States and study under Dr. Flynn and his associates.

Dr. Flynn also has been instrumental in Vietnam, where he teaches and operates at the Cho Ray Hospital in Saigon, as well as touring rural healthcare facilities and lecturing to their medical staffs. He has spent countless hours securing more than $2 million and providing much-needed medical supplies and equipment to hospitals in Thailand and Vietnam.

In recognition of his service, Dr. Flynn was presented with an award from Queen Sirikit of Thailand, and, in 1995, he was presented with an honorary professorship in neurological surgery at Khon Kaen University Hospital from the King of Thailand.

In addition to his contributions to medicine and organized neurosurgery, Dr. Flynn has played an active role in several professional medical associations, having served as President of the Louisiana Neurosurgical Society, and Baton Rouge Surgical Society, and as a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Southern Neurosurgical Society, and American College of Surgeons. Also, he is the recipient of the American Medical Association's Physician's Recognition Award and the Who's Who in the Southwest Award.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, The American Association of Neurological Surgeons is a scientific and education association with approximately 5,300 members in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It 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 must be certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. Neurosurgery is the medical specialty dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system, brain, spinal cord and spinal column.