President
Deborah C. Henry, MD
Welcome to the website for the Western Neurosurgical Society, an organization celebrating its 72 years during my term as President 2025-26. I have been an honored member since 2002, becoming the second women neurosurgeon to join and the first woman neurosurgeon from the United States. After graduating from Baylor College of Medicine, I started my neurosurgical journey at the State University of New York at Syracuse where I was also the second woman in its program. While in residency, I traveled to Queen’s Square in London to work under Professor David Marsden, an expert on movement disorders, and then on to Louisiana State University to study peripheral nerve surgery with Dr. David Kline.
I began clinical practice at Scott and White Hospital and Texas A&M University Medical School in Temple, Texas as an assistant professor of neurosurgery. During this time, I submitted the caseload for the neurosurgical oral boards and in 1995, became the 35th board-certified woman neurosurgeon in the United States.
Marriage brought me to Southern California and to private practice in Pasadena as well as a part-time position at Kaiser-Permanente in Anaheim. Later, after the birth of my son, Stephen (a frequent visitor to Western Annual meetings as a child), I joined Kaiser Permanente as a full-time neurosurgeon. From there, I worked as an assistant professor at Loma Linda University Medical Center and spent time in the practice of locum tenens.
When home from locum tenens. I began part-time teaching anatomy and physiology at Coastline College in Southern California. When a full-time teaching opportunity became available, I hung up my neurosurgery operating shingle after 20 years of practice.
My time in organized neurosurgery began in early 2000’s with election to the California Association of Neurological Surgeons (CANS) Board of Directors. After many years on the board, I served as Secretary, then in 2013-14, became the first woman president of CANS. I continue to serve as a Consultant to the Board.
For the Western Neurosurgical Society, I have had the privilege of being Audit Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, Vice-President, and Communications and Website Chair, culminating in this year as President.
We are always interested in new neurosurgery members. The Western covers the states and provinces west of the Rockies. Please contact our Secretary-Treasurer for more information (see Contact Us).
The Western looks forward to celebrating its 72nd anniversary in Lihue, Kauai, September 24-27! We are working on a great program for everyone. Hope to see you there!
In kindness,
Dr. Deborah Henry