The CSNS has undergone several changes since the spring 2007 meeting. First is an extensive change in the Executive Committee. Five new officers (Deb Benzil- Recording Secretary, Mark Linskey- Corresponding Secretary, Greg Przybylski- Treasurer, Randy Smith- Historian, and Phil Talley- Parliamentarian) have started their terms of office. In addition, Fernando Diaz is now Past-Chair and Bill Bingaman is Vice-Chair. New Committee Chairs were appointed (Ann Stroink- Workforce, Shelly Timmons- Neurotrauma, John Wilson- Coding and Reimbursement, Josh Rosenow- Medical Practice, and Mike Steinmetz- Communications and Education). Alan Scarrow continues as Chair of the Medical Legal Committee.

Second, the Strategic Planning Initiative had a second meeting in Chicago during July. Under the scrupulous guidance of John Popp, we worked through issues pertaining to Mission/Vision, Organizational Functionality, Organizational Structure, Educational Programs, and Relationships with other Organizations. Along these lines we worked on priorities, implementation steps, and a timeframe to accomplish Key Goals. Some of the issues were presented to the Delegates during the September Meeting. We are planning to work on infra structure improvements through the fall and winter, culminating in a Town Hall meeting to discuss changes that would affect core value and culture of the CSNS, during the April Meeting. In the interim we have initiated several ad hoc committees to start working on infrastructure improvements identified in the Strategic Process. The new ad hoc committees include Editorial/Publications, Fellowship, Membership, Web Site, Leadership Development, and Mentoring. Each committee is in the process of working out an action plan based on their individual assignments and goals.

On going activities included actions on past resolutions, ongoing educational initiatives, and the September semi-annual meeting. Prior activities include a Neurotrauma Committee paper development on developing a skill set for acute care training and MOC-due April 2008. The Medical Legal Committee evaluated potential recourse to faulty reports by Healthgrades. The Communications and Education Committee wrote guidelines for CSNS awards, which were posted on the CSNS web site. In conjunction with the AANS Development Committee, funding was obtained for the Resident Socioeconomic Fellowships (12) for the 2008 from Medtronic Spine & Biologics. The CSNS also put into effect a new format for recording meeting minutes that would be action oriented and easily posted on the CSNS web site. Representatives (Bloomgarden, Benzil, and Mazzola) from the CSNS attended the Resident Education Summit in Washington DC in July.

In the September CSNS meeting, the Delegates were updated on the Strategic Planning Initiative, final actions taken by the AANS and CNS pertaining to past Resolutions, and a report by Dr Von Der Schmidt summarizing work on a State NS Workforce Census Project. Dr. Rosen gave a progress report the radiology display issue currently being resolved in meetings with NS and AMA leadership with industry representatives. Dr Blackett was awarded the Leibrock Lifetime Socioeconomic achievement Award. Five Resolutions were presented and discussed:

Resolution I: directed the CSNS to create a socioeconomic curriculum that could be used as the basis for such educational initiatives by those organizations and the ABNS. The CSNS would also collaborate in the development of the educational materials with the AANS & CNS.

Resolution II: directed the CSNS Coding & Reimbursement and Medical Practices Committees to develop a web-based educational program designed to assist neurosurgeons in determining practice costs and reimbursement.

Resolution III: directed the CNS Neurotrauma Committee to report on a survey of state of neurosurgical emergency care delivery, including models of regionalization and infrastructure.

Resolution IV: referred to Medical-Legal Committee to determine financing options.

Resolution V: directed the CSNS to develop and implement a survey of recent residency graduates regarding their opinion about their training and residency experience.

On going activities include follow up Strategic Planning Conference calls, presentation of the Brain Death Resolution Report (4/07), Revisions to the Rules and Regulations, organization of a Long Range Planning Committee, and developing a program to help organize and support State Neurosurgical Societies.

Gary M. Bloomgarden, Chair CSNS