Greetings from Julie G. Pilitsis, MD, PhD, MBA

Dear ASSFN Members,

Happy New Year! As we begin the year, I would like to update you on some of the important initiatives and ongoing efforts that have shaped our society’s work. The past few months have been marked by significant developments, collaborations, and strategic discussions that will continue to drive the ASSFN’s mission forward.

Strengthening Collaborations

Our relationships with the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) are evolving positively. We continue to work with the Washington Committee on advocacy, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, and Relative Value Units (RVUs). Additionally, we have re-engaged with the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF) to support research fellowships, and we are pleased to offer a fellowship this year. If you are interested in donating towards these fellowships, make sure that your NREF donations are specifically directed toward this cause. Currently, we are designating donations in the Honor Your Mentor Roy Bakay Fund towards the Roy A. E. Bakay Fund at NREF. Using the CNS foundation funds, we are working on the development of clinical guidelines and initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Sustainable and Impactful Grants and Funding

I would like to acknowledge the ongoing work of our AMPLify program, which supports unique learning experiences for emerging leaders in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery. While the program has received several high-quality applications, we are mindful of budget constraints and are committed to ensuring our spending on AMPlify remains both sustainable and impactful. The contributions of Dr. Dario Englot and the AMPlify team have been invaluable in guiding this initiative.

Thank You for Volunteering

We are pleased to have over 30 members respond to our volunteer recruitment so far. We have reached out to some of you already for involvement in podcasts, webinar series, scientific program content, awards committee, patient education, and social media efforts. We continue to explore meaningful ways for you to engage with ASSFN and our mission. Your contributions are vital to the success of the society!

Participate in ASSFN Opportunities

We are continuing to engage with you through our webinar, newsletter, and social media channels.

• We recently hosted the ASSFN Webinar: How to Optimize DBS Targeting with a star-studded lineup of speakers. View the recording here
• Check out our new website, which Dr. Chengyuan Wu has worked diligently to develop for ASSFN members.  
• Looking ahead to our biannual meeting in 2026, we are planning to introduce new awards to honor outstanding contributions to stereotactic and functional neurosurgery. I encourage members to continue to propose ideas for these awards.

Thank you for your continued dedication and involvement in the ASSFN. Your participation makes our society a vibrant and impactful force in the field of functional neurosurgery. I look forward to the continued progress and collaboration we will achieve together this year.

Warm regards,

Julie G. Pilitsis, MD, PhD, MBA
President, ASSFN