Description "W. Ben Blackett, MD, FACS, JD, was recognized with The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) 1999 Distinguished Service Award, at the AANS Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 24-29, 1999. The Award recognizes Dr. Blackett for his many years of service to organized neurosurgery.

Dr. Blackett earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan in 1958, and went on to serve his internship and residency in neurological surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital. He served as a neurosurgeon to the U.S. Army at Madigan Hospital and in Vietnam until 1966. That same year, he entered private practice in Tacoma, Washington, and became board certified in 1967. Soon after, Dr. Blackett earned his doctorate of jurisprudence from the University of Puget Sound School of Law.

A member of the AANS since 1968, Dr. Blackett has held a variety of leadership positions, including service as a member of the AANS Board of Directors (1990-1993), and Chairman of the Professional Conduct Committee (1994-present).

In addition to his leadership achievements, and a neurosurgical private practice spanning more than three decades, Dr. Blackett has lectured and published books and articles on medicine and the law.

Active in many professional organizations, his leadership roles include serving as President of the Pierce County Medical Society (1974), President of the Washington Association of Neurological Surgeons (1985), President of the Western Neurosurgical Society (1991-1992), and Washington State Delegate to the Congress of State Neurosurgical Societies (1983-present). In addition, he has served as a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American College of Surgeons Advisory Council for Neurological Surgery, Washington State Bar Association, American College of Legal Medicine, and the Board of Directors for the American Tort Reform Association.

In recognition of his many years of service to the AANS, the neurosurgical community, and to his patients, the Officers of The American Association of Neurological Surgeons are pleased to honor W. Ben Blackett, MD, FACS, JD, with the 1999 Distinguished Service 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.