Maryland USA – The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) will host the Seventh Annual World Congress of the International Brain Mapping & Intraoperative Surgical Planning Society (IBMISPS) on Brain, Spinal Cord Mapping and Image Guided Therapy at its Bethesda, Maryland, campus May 24-27.
The IBMISPS is one of the fastest growing and most respected multidisciplinary biomedical Societies, facilitating collaboration between basic and clinical scientists and breaking down boundaries between science, technology, medicine, art and healthcare policy. Participants at the annual meeting of IBMISPS include neurosurgeons, neurologists, radiologists, neuroscientists, engineers (Material, aeronautic, electrical and biomedical), physicists, rehabilitation medicine physicians, hospital CEOs, allied healthcare workers, military healthcare physicians and allied healthcare workers, students, fellows, residents and faculty from more than 50 countries and 100 universities worldwide.
USU was selected as the site of this year’s World Congress because of the high priority that the Society and the university both place on novel research and techniques to improve the early identification, diagnosis, and management of traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder. Improving the care of these conditions is of paramount importance to the nation and its service members who are fighting on multiple fronts. USU has a long history of preparing health care professionals to care for those in harm’s way, and partnering with IBMISPS represents a natural and productive alliance to ensure that the best and brightest minds in medicine are focused on ensuring the best possible care for military service members.
This year’s topics will include: Nanoneurosurgery, nano-bio-electronics, genomics, computational informatics genetics in brain mapping, brain and spinal cord mapping; image guided therapy/surgery; neuroengineering, device and implants; basic molecular neuroscience; neurodegenerative diseases; stem cell; neurorepair and regeneration; neurophysiology; Neuro-mathematics and bio-informatics, healthcare policy; FDA regulations; bioethics; neuroeconomics and neuromarketing; and bioinformatics and grid technology; imaging modalities for detecting mild TBI (traumatic brain injury) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
In addition to the scientific meeting, Congress events include the IBMISPS annual awards gala. Among the 2010 honorees are:
Pioneer in Healthcare Policy Award, for lawmakers who have demonstrated visionary and cross-disciplinary approaches to introducing laws that have contributed to the advancement of science, technology, education and medicine as well as healthcare delivery– President of the United States Barack Obama and Senator Harry Reid.
Beacon of Courage and Dedication Award, for courage and dedication in increasing awareness about neurological diseases – the Honorable Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs and a wounded Iraq war veteran.
Pioneer in Medicine Award, for excellence in research, discovery, education and pioneering work in the fields of medicine and neuroscience – Dr. John Donoghue, Brown University; Dr. Jonathan Wolpaw, New York Wadsworth Center and Dr. Andrew Schwartz, University of Pittsburgh.
Pioneer in Technology Award, for companies and their CEOs for excellence in technology transfer and development – Mr. Stephen Otto, President and CEO, Elekta
Golden Axon Award, for individuals outside the medical community who inspire good will and an enthusiastic interest in science, technology and medicine – Mr. Peter Gaily, President and Co-Founder, and Mr. Ross Joel, CEO and Co-Founder, ORLive, Inc.