Fact Sheet- American Association of Neurological Surgeons

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with a membership of more than 5,800 neurosurgeons worldwide. The AANS, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to excellence in neurosurgical education for the advancement of patient care. AANS active members are Board-certified neurosurgeons who have completed four years of medical school and at least six years of additional specialized training. They have passed a comprehensive oral and written examination and are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery.

AANS consists of seven subspecialty Sections that include: Neurotrauma and Critical Care; Cerebrovascular Surgery; Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery; Pain; Pediatric Neurological Surgery; Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves and Tumors.

What is Neurosurgery?
Neurological surgery, first declared a medical specialty in 1919, is a medical discipline that provides the operative and non-operative (prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, critical care and rehabilitation) care of disorders that affect the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems, including their supportive structures and vascular supply, and the operative and non-operative management of pain. Neurological surgery encompasses disorders of the brain, skull, pituitary gland, spinal cord, cranial and spinal nerves and the autonomic nervous system.

Our History
The AANS was originally founded on October 10, 1931, as the Harvey Cushing Society. Although Active membership is limited to practicing neurosurgeons, Associate membership is open to professionals in other related medical disciplines, including neuroscience nurses and physician assistants.

Our Mission:
To advance the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public.

Our Goals:

• Advancement of, and the pursuit of, excellence in neurological surgery and related sciences
• Pursuit of excellence in medical education, especially as it concerns neurosurgical sciences
• Pursuit of high standards in patient care and the practice of the neurosurgical profession
• Advancement of neuroscience research
• and Communication of scientific and scholarly information through scientific meetings and publications.

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