Rocky Mountain Neurosurgical Society
2023 Business Meeting
June 20th, 2023
Alyeska Resort, Girdwood Alaska

Present: Dr. Mark Mahan, Dr. Joel MacDonald, Dr. Brad Duhon, Dr. Justin Davis, Dr. Erik Parker, Dr. Joe Sramek, Dr. Kelly Schmidt, Dr. John Clough, Dr. Joseph Beshay, Dr. Paul House, Dr. Stuart Crutchfield, Dr. Stewart Levy, Dr. William Thoman, Allie Whipple, Jessie Tarnow. 

President’s Report: The meeting was called to order by Dr. Brad Duhon at 7:16 am. A motion was made to approve the previous meeting minutes, which were approved by all in attendance. The need for a meeting in 2024 was proposed to continue education and the unique needs of Neurosurgeons and Practitioners in the Rocky Mountain region.

Vice President: No new topics to report. An attempt will be made to start contacting the Vendors in September/October to try and get on the January fiscal year budget agendas. It was requested that Allie send group reminders to get the ball rolling.

Secretary Report: No new business.

Treasurer Report: Dr. Davis reports there will be a loss at this year’s meeting, but it was not as much of a loss as originally projected. After all expenses are paid, there will be approximately $60,000-$70,000 in the bank account. Stryker has a balance of $7000 and a check should be received in the near future.

Historian/Website Administrator Report: An online google drive account has been created for photo sharing from the meeting. Allie will send out an email to attendees and vendors to upload and share photos from this year’s meeting. Photos can also be emailed directly to Dr. MacDonald.

Membership Committee: Dr. Randall Zane Allison and Dr. Glen Pollack were proposed for new membership and approved.

Announcement of Executive Board:

Newly Elected
President: Dr. Mark Mahan

President Elect: Dr. Erik Parker

Vice President: Dr. Salah Aoun

Member at Large: Dr. Wissam Asfahani

CME Committee: Allie Whipple, APRN-C

Scientific Program: To be appointed by Dr. Mahan

Membership Committee: To be appointed by Dr. Mahan

Continuing Service

Secretary: Dr. John Clough

Treasurer: Dr. Justin Davis

Website Administrator: Dr. Joel MacDonald

Historian: Dr. Joel MacDonald

Local Arrangements 2024: Dr. Brad Lega

Local Arrangements 2025: Dr. Joel MacDonald

Nominating Committee: Dr. Michael Seiff, Dr. Joe Sramek, Dr. Brad Duhon

Future Sites:

2024: San Antonio, Texas

2025: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2026: Snowbird, Utah (other locations also being explored)

Future Meetings: The meeting will be hosted at the La Cantera Resort. A proposal was made to trial a pickleball tournament instead of a tennis tournament, and this was approved. A proposal was made to change the daily agenda and have the talks in the afternoon and the social activities in the morning before the heat of the day sets in. This will be considered during planning of the meeting.

Concerns have been raised regarding vendor and university restrictions on CME attendance through an all-inclusive resort for the 2025 meeting. Dr. MacDonald will investigate this further and will also look into offering an option that is not an all-inclusive rate. He expressed concern that the facility may not offer enough space needed for the meeting. The contract is due on 3/1/2024, leaving plenty of time to make a final decision or look for alternative host facilities. The concern for vendor equipment processing through customs was also raised. This will also be a factor to consider during planning. The all-inclusive rate does offer this meeting to be on a lower budget and therefore, less support of the vendors will be needed.

New Business: A motion was made to offer Dr. Rick Fessler an honorary membership. This was unanimously approved.   Dr. Ganesh Rao resides in the Rocky Mountain region and is encouraged to join as a member. It was recommended that the outgoing president personally reach out to the invited guest speakers and extend an invitation to attend the following year’s meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 am.