Dear members of the North American Skull Base Society,
It is my honor and privilege to start this term as President. This upcoming year will highlight โThe Unified Skull Baseโ, reflecting on our valued partnerships with patients, teams and colleagues worldwide. As we partner, I encourage you all to share your care pathways to facilitate practice development for our colleagues and collaborative debates on best practices. You may submit your care pathway at the NASBS iCare archive. Thanks to the Value-Based Healthcare Committee for doing incredible work on this.
Speaking of committees, our committee assignment process ends each year soon after the annual meeting. I spoke to many members at the meeting wanting to know how to get more involved, and committees are a great way. If you didnโt fill out an interest form this year, consider doing so next year. Committees include Equity and Inclusion (new), Research, Surgical Education, Value-Based Healthcare, Membership, History, International, and Communications (the โComm Commโ). Thank you to our committee leaders who do invaluable work for the society and our members.
Looking forward, we are already planning the NASBS Skull Base Surgery Summer Course that will take place in New Orleans, August 15-18, 2024. We encourage senior residents or fellows to apply for this event that brings together world-class faculty in the state-of-the-art cadaver laboratory at LSU. This yearโs course will once again feature a special episode of the โSurgeonโs Logโ, where complex cases will be discussed live by senior faculty and attendees.
The 2025 Annual Meeting will take place in New Orleans, February 12-16 with the World Federation of Skull Base Societies at the Sheraton New Orleans. Dr. Shirley Su will be leading the NASBS Scientific Program, along with her co-chair Dr. Nick Khan. From the World Federation, Dr. Jacques Morcos is the WFSBS President and Dr. Danny Prevedello will be chairing their scientific content. We are looking forward to lively discussions, cutting-edge science, as well as splendid social events. Hands-on surgical education will remain a major focus for both the Pre-Meeting Dissection Course at LSU February 12-13, as well as for the curated Rhoton Room dueling dissections program featuring master surgeons and skilled moderators. New in 2025 will be a special course on โAdvanced Radiology of the Skull Baseโ. This course will focus on new and upcoming innovations in imaging, as well as applications in skull base surgery and survivorship. Thanks go out to the tremendous Scientific Program Committee who will be working with Shirley, Nick, Danny, Jacques and I.
In order to facilitate our collective innovation, premier surgical education, and our expanded international meeting, Iโm asking for your help. We need your support for additional research funding, as well as for incremental travel scholarships and lectureships. You can donate here or you can direct funds via your donor-advised fund if youโd like (EIN 84-1122414). However youโre able to help and in whatever amount, I thank you.
Iโm grateful for the privilege of serving as your president and look forward to an incredible year-
Erin McKean, MD, MBA, FACS