The 41st Annual J. Garber Galbraith, M.D., Scientific Session and Lecture was held on Nov. 8, in the Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium, located within the Russell Wing Medical Educational Building at UAB.
In 1954, James Garber Galbraith, M.D., made history with the establishment of the first Division of Neurological Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, which was, at the time, known as the Medical College of Alabama. It was here where he laid the foundation for the now-Department of Neurosurgery’s culture of growth and compassionate care.
Each year, the Department of Neurosurgery gathers to honor Galbraith’s dedication to his science, his patients and his work.
The Galbraith Lecture is given annually by a guest neurosurgeon who has made significant contributions to the field of neurosurgery, while the Scientific Session features the research and achievements of both past and present neurosurgical residents. The daytime events culminate in a dinner held each year for Department of Neurosurgery faculty, residents and guests.
Anthony Asher, M.D., FAANS, FACS, widely recognized for his contributions to both the clinical and academic realms of neurosurgery, traveled from North Carolina to serve as the 41st Galbraith Lecturer.
Asher serves as the president of the Neurosciences Institute at Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the vice dean of neurosciences at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem. He is a professor of neurological surgery at both institutions and holds adjunct professorships at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Mayo Clinic and Vanderbilt University.
The annual event started with Neurosurgery Grand Rounds on Thursday, Nov. 7, at UAB’s Lyons-Harrison Faculty Office Tower, where faculty and residents gathered for Asher’s first lecture: “The Promise a n d Limitations of National Data Science Programs: A 15-year Perspective.”
On Friday, Nov. 8, the Scientific Session opened with a welcome from James Garber Galbraith Endowed Chair of Neurosurgery James Markert, M.D., MPH.
Jason Cormier, M.D., FAANS, FACS, internationally renowned expert in traumatic brain injury and concussion management, served as this year’s Resident Alumnus Lecturer. Cormier’s presentation, “Sports Related Traumatic Brain Injury, Mitigating Slosh,” outlined the injury risks associated with sports, and how the Q-Collar can help protect the brain.
The Scientific Session concluded with Asher’s Galbraith Lecture: “A clinical and biological overview of pre-operative (neo-adjuvant) radiosurgery for the treatment of oligo-brain metastases.” The Scientific Session was followed by a dinner, reception and presentation of resident research prizes at the Birmingham Museum of Art that evening.
2024 Winners
Garber Galbraith, M.D, Research Prize:
- Tucker Oliver, M.D. – PGY1, “Cortical Acetylcholine Response to Deep Brain Stimulation of The Basal Forebrain”
Stephen Mahaley Jr., M.D., Research Prize (Translational Research Prize):
- Ricardo Najera, M.D. – PGY2, “Disruption of Neural Periodicity Predicts Clinical Re-sponse After Deep Brain Stimulation for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder”
Richard B. Morawetz, M.D., Research Prize:
- Ricardo Najera, M.D. – PGY2, “Disruption of Neural Periodicity Predicts Clinical Re-sponse After Deep Brain Stimulation for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder”
Griffith R. Harsh III, M.D., Research Prize:
- Sasha Howell, M.D. – PYG5, “Bridging The Gaps in Transitional Care in Spina Bifida: Where Do We Need To Focus Our Attention?”
