President’s Letter: ASSFN Members Drive the Future of Functional Neurosurgery Through Science, Mentorship, and Patient-Centered Innovation

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to introduce the latest issue of the ASSFN Newsletter, NeuroPulse, which highlights the remarkable work and innovations taking place across our community. This edition reflects the breadth of our society’s commitment—to advancing the science of functional neurosurgery, supporting one another as members, and engaging patients with meaningful education and advocacy. 

We begin with a tribute to one of our field’s Neurosurgery Luminaires, Dr. Philip L. Gildenberg, followed by with a spotlight of modern-day hero – Dr. Paul Larson, featuring his pioneering work in clinical trials and gene therapy for movement disorders. 

We have increased our member benefits through several initiatives. The AMPLify Application affords trainees greater exposure to the field through away rotations. We have also gathered letter templates that some neurosurgeons have used to appeal insurance decisions. We know that this differs from patient to patient and from insurance company to insurance company so we provide templates that neurosurgeons can adjust for their use. Thanks to Drs. Rolston and Toms and their wonderful teams, we developed a set of brand agnostic patient education slides and office handouts. Again, we know many practices vary and these documents are meant as a starting point! 

Finally, many of you received an email from Dr. Englot and I yesterday discussing the potential of Functional Neurosurgery participating in a match. Briefly, we have initiated discussion with SF Match to begin a formal match. To mimic our current timeline, we would match two years in advance, i.e.  a potential initial Match Day of July 1, 2026 for post-graduate fellowships beginning on or around July 1, 2028 (e.g., a PGY-5 resident applying in 2026 for a 2028 start). This would allow an informal rolling admissions process for unfilled positions or unmatched applicants after Match Day. The application system would go live several months prior to Match Day, and in-person or virtual interviews between programs and PGY-5 resident applicants would occur typically in the winter or spring of the application year. Programs would contribute an estimated annual fee of $500 to help cover the expenses of the match, and applicants would pay a nominal $50-100 total fee to apply to an unlimited number of programs. We have received positive feedback from many of you along with questions, which we have answered individually but will go over at the upcoming Town Hall Wednesday, September 24 at 7 PM CT (register here: https://bit.ly/ASSFNFallTownHall). We thank you for your continued support of ASSFN.

On behalf of the ASSFN Board of Directors, we continue to be grateful for the energy and dedication of our members—whether through scientific contributions, mentorship, or patient-centered innovation. Together, we are shaping the future of functional neurosurgery.

Thank you for your commitment to ASSFN and to our shared mission.

With warm regards,

Julie G. Pilitsis MD, PhD, MBA

President

American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery