Neurosurgery Research &
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In the Honor of Dr. Michael Groff and Family
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the entire neurosurgical community mourn the untimely passing of Michael W. Groff, MD, FAANS, a distinguished spine neurosurgeon, beloved colleague and dedicated leader. Dr. Groff passed away tragically in a plane crash on April 12, 2025, leaving behind a profound legacy of clinical excellence, academic contribution, and selfless service to the field of neurosurgery. Even more tragically, Dr. Groff’s family members — including his wife Dr. Joy Saini, son Jared and oldest daughter Karenna, and Jared’s and Karenna’s girlfriend and boyfriend, respectively — were also victims of the tragic accident.
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As the philanthropic arm of a medical association committed to advancing the health, safety, and well-being of individuals around the world, we wish to express our profound solidarity with citizens and our neurosurgeon colleagues around the world seeking, with international assistance, to defend their liberty, security and ancient, sacred cultural values. Furthermore, we wish to unequivocally express our condemnation of violence as a means of advancing individual or national self-interests, wherever and whenever such tyrannical disregard for human life, dignity and freedom takes place.
Please consider supporting relief efforts for the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine.
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Kunal Patel, MD, of UCLA, received the 2023-24 NREF & Gladiator Project Young Clinician Investigator Award through the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors for his research focused on improving the visualization and targeting of infiltrating glioblastoma cells.
Building on this work, Dr.
So proud of @MayoClinic @MayoClinicNeuro #Neurosurgery team @NREFORG
We have an amazing team
Let’s Go Monte! We’re back in it! @NREFORG #neurosurgerysoftballtourny
The @NREFORG neurosurgery softball tournament is always a blast, but a deep run for @PittNeurosurg to semifinals made this one extra special!
Our team had a great time representing Colorado at the NREF Softball Tournament in NYC this weekend! A fun weekend of competition, camaraderie, and connecting with colleagues from programs across the country. ⚾️🦬 #Neurosurgery #NeuroSoftballTourney
We had a great time this past weekend at the the 21st Annual Neurosurgery Charity Softball Tournament catching up with friends and colleagues all while raising funds to support brain tumor research through @NREFORG’s K12 Scholars Program! Thanks to @ColumbiaNeuro for hosting us.
There we were last team to go up against barrow – practice for #1 next year @NREFORG @ColumbiaNeuro Charity softball tournament
@BarrowNeuro we @MayoClinic @MayoClinicNeuro will be back next year
Honored to have the tremendous Dr. Regis Haid back on the show, to discuss a transformational new technique for cervical instrumentation!
@AANSNeuro @spinesection @AANSNeurosurg @CNS_Update @councilsns @NREFORG @neurosurgery
Thank you @NREFORG and the Academy of Neurological Surgeons for the support. I am grateful for the support and excited to continue our work on eloquent brain AVMs.
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The NREF is dedicated to providing education to neurosurgeons at all stages of their careers, as well as funding research into new and existing neurosurgical treatments, in order to identify links between best practices and improved outcomes in patient care.
