The American Association of Neurological Surgeons has honored Roger Härtl, MD, with its Humanitarian of the Year award.
Four notes:
1. Dr. Härtl was lauded for his work as founder of the Global Neurosurgery Initiative at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania, and for his commitment to global neurosurgical education, according to a May 23 news release. He created the neurosurgical mission in 2008 to bring neurosurgical training to Tanzania.
2. The program has grown from a single trip delivering supplies 15 years ago to a year-round program with an exchange of fellows and an annual neurotrauma course. African-trained providers also train alongside Dr. Härtl at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City and bring their skills back to train peers in their country.
3. The AANS also recognized Dr. Härtl for his educational efforts, leading an annual spine and neurosurgery program for Eastern European surgeons through the Salzburg Weill Cornell Seminars in Salzburg, Austria, and teaching spine surgery techniques to surgeons in countries such as Pakistan and Iraq.
4. Dr. Härtl is director of spinal surgery at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center in New York City. He is also the founder and director of the Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Comprehensive Spine Care, as well as the Weill Cornell Tanzania Neurosurgery Mission.