2023 Western Neurosurgical Society Meeting
Portola Hotel & Spa
Monterey, CA
September 29 - October 2, 2023
Dear friends and members of The Western,
On behalf of Dr. Jay Morgan and the WNS executive committee, we are happy to invite you to the 69th annual meeting of the Western Neurosurgical Society. This will be the third in person meeting since our virtual get together in 2020 due to the pandemic. Last year was a testament to the resilience of this group with over 260 guest and members coming together on the big island of Hawaii. That total included 58 children, the largest number of kids in recent memory. We expect an equally large turnout this year as we meet on the beautiful coast of Northern California.
This year’s meeting will be held at the Portola Hotel and Spa at Monterey Bay. The Portola is a AAA Four Diamond luxury hotel with stunning views of the bay. It is located near downtown Monterey and is just steps away from Fisherman’s Wharf. In addition to our usual packed program and afternoon activities consider budgeting some time to treat yourself at what is considered ‘the Best Spa in Monterey’. On the last page of this newsletter you’ll find all the information you need to book your room now with our very reasonable group rate.
We can all look forward to a robust scientific program planned by Dr. Jason Hauptman and his committee. As usual, the program will include talks from our own members, new member candidates and resident abstract award winners. In addition, the program committee is planning timely discussions on neurosurgical innovation and diversity in neurosurgery. This year we will honor Dr. Mitch Berger with the 2023 Cloward award. Dr. Berger is the Past Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at UCSF, the leader of the UCSF Brain Tumor Research Center and a pioneer of intraoperative brain mapping during surgical resection of brain tumors. His talk will undoubtedly be a highlight of the program. This year’s Prolo Lecturer is Dr. Kelley Skeff, Professor of Medicine – Primary Care and Population Health at Stanford University. Dr. Skeff is nationally recognized for his dedication to medical education and has received multiple teaching awards. Last but certainly not least, we will honor our dear friend Dr. Randy Smith with the inaugural Randy Smith Lectureship. Thank you to those who have already donated in Randy’s memory and for those who haven’t but still want to, there will be opportunities to give during the meeting. The scientific program is jointly provided by the AANS and attendees will be eligible for CME.
As always, we will break from talks about brain and spine surgery around mid-day and have ample time to catch up with old friends, make new friends and explore Monterey. We are particularly excited this year to spend our local’s night at the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. On Saturday night we will enjoy a private event with a hosted bar and strolling dinner in the Ocean’s Edge Kelp Forest Wing of the Aquarium. You won’t want to miss it! Afternoon group activity options being coordinated by our Local Arrangements Chair, Dr. Ciara Harraher, include a guided wine tour, private bike tours and a kayak tour along Cannery Row.
As we continue to adjust to an increasingly virtual world, we are confident that the 69th annual meeting of the Western Neurosurgical Society will provide the in person scientific exchange of ideas and connection with colleagues we all appreciate.
