Jeffrey P. Blount, M.D., MPH, professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, has been awarded the 2024 Humanitarian Award by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).

Established in 1987 and presented annually, the Humanitarian Award recognizes members of the AANS who have distinguished themselves through neurosurgical humanitarian activities, both domestically and abroad.

During the annual meeting, the AANS honored Blount with its prestigious award for his ongoing efforts in shaping the neurosurgical landscape and spina bifida community across the globe.

In his role as medical director for the Comprehensive Spina Bifida Program at Children’s of Alabama, Blount led the development of a pre-natal spina bifida clinic and was instrumental in establishing the UAB Transitional Spina Bifida Clinic.

As co-founder of the Global Alliance for Prevention of Spina Bifida (GAPSBiF), Blount’s efforts were fundamental in the organization’s successful petition of the World Health Organization to adopt resolution 76.19 – the first-ever neurosurgical-initiated resolution. The resolution, which calls for countries to implement large scale food fortification to combat micronutrient deficiencies that lead to neural tube defects, like spina bifida, has the potential to positively impact the lives of 250,000 babies each year, globally.

Blount has dedicated his career to neural tube defect prevention, intervention and education, as well as to patient care, student mentorship, resident and fellow training, research and institutional service.