Looking Ahead with Purpose: President’s Welcome

Dear ASSFN Colleagues,

Winter and the new year have always been a season for reflection—and for resolve. As we look ahead, one thing is clear: functional and stereotactic neurosurgery continues to evolve because of the people who push the field forward with purpose. This winter edition of NeuroPulse, ASSFN’s newsletter, captures exactly that spirit.

A major milestone on the horizon is the ASSFN 2026 Biennial Meeting. This meeting is where science, mentorship and membership converge. These meetings have long shaped the trajectory of our specialty, and 2026 will be no exception. We encourage you to register soon to take advantage of advance pricing. This is especially important for our earliest career attendees— medical students, undergraduate and graduates—who may enjoy free registration before May 5, 2026. 

We are also proud to celebrate this year’s AMPLify Award winners. Their clinical insight, research focus, and dedication to mentorship reflect the best of our community. Get to know them and their interests in the neurosurgery field along with why the AMPLify Fellowship Program will give them the boost they need in the stereotactic and functional neurosurgery subspecialty. Their personal reflections underscore not just what they do—but why it matters.

I am also proud to share that SF Match is now open for registration and applications for PGY-5 residents pursuing a functional neurosurgery fellowship beginning in July 1, 2028. This important milestone reflects the dedicated efforts of ASSFN members who worked to bring the match to fruition—creating a coordinated, transparent process that eliminates uncoordinated offers and removes the pressure of early decision-making.

In our Greats of Neurosurgery series, we visit the legacy of Dr. Russell Meyers, a pioneer whose work in the 1950s laid the foundation that still influence how we think about neuromodulation and surgical treatment of psychiatric disease today. 

Education remains central to ASSFN’s mission. This edition includes updates on newly released podcasts and webinar schedule. We’re thrilled to dive into the depths of Epilepsy Surgery and Brain-Computer Interfaces. 

You’ll also find a Call for Volunteers, a reminder of newly added member benefits—including letter templates and patient educational materials. These resources exist to support you in patient care and in leadership.

ASSFN has always been built by neurosurgeons who care deeply about patients, progress, and one another. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is the scale of our opportunity—and the responsibility that comes with it. Thank you for being part of this community and helping to innovate ways we can all be better at our positions and for our patients. 

I look forward to seeing many of you in the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Julie G. Pilitsis, MD, PhD, MBA
President, American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ASSFN)