Rutgers, RWJBarnabas Health Host Global Neurosurgery Symposium

At 3 a.m. in early September, when most people were still in their beds, more than 400 viewers in China were logged in to a special broadcast, translated in Chinese, focused on neuro-tech and global neurosurgery issues.

They were among the thousands of neurosurgeons, residents, medical students and other professionals who tuned in each day to the massive, three-day Global Neurosurgery symposium, co-sponsored by Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, RWJBarnabas Health, and the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.

The virtual symposium, “Global Neurosurgery: Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls,” was designed not only to explore worldwide disparities in neurosurgical care and how they could be addressed, but also to discuss a wide variety of issues related to neurosurgeons’ role in advocating for health policy creation and reform, developing areas of global neurosurgical research, and best practices in global neurosurgical care.

“In the time of COVID-19, we’ve all realized our vulnerabilities. The symposium allowed us to rejuvenate as a community and come together to address global problems,” said Dr. Anil Nanda, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and senior vice president for neurosurgical services at RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH).

Dr. Nanda and his Rutgers/RWJBH team coordinated the global symposium, though not without its challenges. Originally scheduled as a spring event in Jersey City, it was reinvented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and event organizers shifted gears quickly to remotely expand access worldwide. The new virtual event was a huge success, with more than 1,000 registrants to the free symposium webcast and nearly 4,000 views—from 44 countries—each day to its livestream on Facebook, with a total reach of more than 40,000. As a result, larger neurosurgical societies worldwide are looking to replicate it, noted Dr. Nanda.

Overall, 160 speakers from 34 countries, including the world’s foremost neurosurgeons, offered their expertise during 25 hours over the course of three days.

The highlight of the event was the first Peter W. Carmel Oration, named for Rutgers NJMS’ founding chair of neurosurgery, which featured Sir Michael G. Marmot, professor of epidemiology at University College London, director of the UCL Institute of Health Equity and past president of the World Medical Association. Dr. Marmot, an international authority on health inequities for more than 40 years and current chair of the Commission on Equity and Health Inequalities in the Americas, discussed social justice, health equity and COVID-19.

“There has never been a more relevant time to join together and reflect on our plans to advance human wellness and build plans for a more equitable future,” said Dr. Brian L. Strom, chancellor of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, which includes Rutgers’ two medical schools. “Rutgers is honored to have helped facilitate the conversations to unite and advance neurosurgical care across borders, in partnership with RWJBarnabas Health and the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.”

“Rutgers Medical Schools are renowned for their steadfast dedication to research, teaching and thought leadership,” stated RWJBarnabas Health President and Chief Executive Officer Barry H. Ostrowsky. “It is the responsibility and mission of RWJBarnabas Health to support and provide access to educational platforms, such as the Global Neurosurgery Symposium, to the medical community. An event such as this symposium is an extremely important way to better ourselves and provide our patients and families the best level of care they truly deserve. It gives us all the perspective and knowledge to continue to raise our bar and push the boundaries of health care.”

“I’m very proud that, despite the drastic change that’s occurred in our lives, we were able to bring together specialists from throughout the world to exchange ideas and improve knowledge and good health,” added Dr. Robert L. Johnson, dean of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and interim dean of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “It has been a great example of the strength of our partnership with RWJBarnabas Health and an excellent way to broaden our reach and discover opportunities for collaborative endeavors that can improve health and wellness of individuals throughout the world.”

Based on the success of this symposium, the Department of Neurosurgery is planning a series of global neurosurgery meetings next year, said Dr. Nanda.

 –#–