NEUROSURGERY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION (NREF)

When completing your registration form for the 2008 Annual Meeting, demonstrate your commitment to research and advancing the specialty by including your donation to the NREF.

Annually, the NREF recognizes the generous support it receives at the AANS meeting through the NREF Donor and Grant Recipient Reception. The NREF Reception is an "invitation only" event, whereby Cushing Scholar Circle level supporters ($1000 and up) have the opportunity to meet incoming and outgoing Research Fellows and Young Clinician Investigators. This exclusive event is scheduled Tuesday evening at the headquarter hotel, the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, Chicago, IL. To ensure you are recognized among this benevolent group and amongst the invitees to the NREF Reception, be sure to make your donation to the NREF through the AANS Annual Meeting Registration Form, AANS Web site (www.AANS.org/Research), at registration or stop by the AANS Resource Center, booth #1120.

NEUROSURGERYPAC
Federal policymakers have a huge impact on how neurosurgeons practice, when we practice, what we get paid and what patients we see; this influence is only growing stronger. In order to maximize effective advocacy efforts on behalf of neurosurgery, the AANS has yet another tool in its advocacy arsenal: a political action committee called NeurosurgeryPAC.

Its mission is to support candidates for federal office who support neurosurgeons. NeurosurgeryPAC does this by making direct campaign contributions to candidates for the US Senate and the US House of Representatives who are supportive of the issues important to neurosurgery. NeurosurgeryPAC is nonpartisan and does not base its decisions on party affiliation, but instead focuses on the voting records and campaign pledges of the candidates.

Stop by the NeurosurgeryPAC booth in the registration area to learn about current campaigns, recent successes and how you can help. AANS members who are citizens of the United States and who pay dues or have voting privileges can make contributions at this booth, or in the AANS Resource Center.

INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT HALL
The AANS will once again use ExpoCAD, an online interactive exhibiting tool. This software provides real-time viewing of the exhibit floor and denotes locations of exhibiting partners. Busy neurosurgeons can now pre-plan their valuable time by searching exhibitor locations by company name, booth number, product and group in advance. To view the interactive exhibit hall, visit www.AANS.org/vr/shows/ AANS08/start.html.

NEW AANS/SNS NEUROSURGICAL ONLINE LEARNING SESSIONS
View the sessions offered free to members of the AANS and the Society of Neurological Surgeons. These sessions serve as a valuable learning tool for residents, neurosurgeons, physician assistants and nurses as they directly relate to the core cognitive curriculum of neurosurgery. Archived online for viewing any time, instruction is provided via audio-narrated presentations. New sessions are added frequently, and all sessions will now offer CME credit.

NEUROSURGICAL TOP GUN COMPETITION
For the third consecutive year, the Young Neurosurgeons Committee will present a competition for residents and fellows located in the exhibit hall. The three-day event will include stations such as motion/ tremor analysis, computer-simulated ventriculostomy and pedicle screw placement. Contestants will receive scores for their performance and the resident or fellow with the best score will receive the Neurosurgical Top Gun honor and a $1,000 AANS gift certificate. Watch for more information online at www.AANS.org.

RARE BOOKS EXHIBIT
The AANS is in possession of rare medical books that are several hundred years old. Selections from the collection will highlight the issues, education and changes in neurosurgery as viewed from past leaders in the field of neurosurgery. Visit this rare books display in the rear of the exhibit hall.

MEET THE PRESS
Breakfast Seminar 121. This seminar is for AANS Members only. Monday, April 28 7:30-9:30 AM. Learn how to be confident and get your message across accurately when you respond to media inquiries. Journalists are turning to neurosurgeons now more than ever to comment on important socioeconomic issues such as medical liability reform and pay-for-performance; as well as medical issues such as Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, spinal surgery, endovascular procedures, stroke, and more. A seasoned media trainer will walk AANS neurosurgeon members through a twohour media training session that includes on-camera time, talking points, and helpful hints for working with the media. Participants will learn how to develop, tailor and deliver their message to a targeted audience. Register for this informative breakfast seminar and be prepared for your next print, radio or television interview. This program is eligible for CME.

2008 AANS ANNUAL MEETING ONLINE
With so many concurrent sessions it is hard to choose what to attend. This year, the AANS is capturing over 50 hours of Annual Meeting content to stream online post-meeting. Annual Meeting attendees can pre-order all online content for only $185 for AANS Member Attendees ($195 for non-members). Plenary sessions, scientific sessions, section sessions and select breakfast seminars will be available. Pre-order them through the online registration form or by checking the box on the registration form included with this Preliminary Program. The price increases over $100 after the meeting so take advantage of the savings.