Toward better balance.

Abstract

The AANS was founded in 1931 as an educational and scientific organization whose principal purpose was to foster optimum neurosurgical care. Because socioeconomic and political pressures on medicine generally and neurosurgery specifically have escalated in recent years, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) has been required to respond effectively to matters beyond its traditional role. However, the AANS has lacked an effective, focused policymaking process to deal with socioeconomic concerns despite existing expertise within the specialty. The AANS now needs to develop a comprehensive socioeconomic effort that is consistent with its more traditional educational and scientific activities. A Task Force on Governance has been appointed to address how the Association's governance structure can reflect all the needs of our specialty in times of economic uncertainty and health care reform.