Impact

Overall Goal

This award is given to an individual for their outstanding work in the community to share best practices in addressing disparity in equity and inclusion.

More specifically, the goal of this award is to:

• Recognize dedication of time and effort to promote inclusivity and equitability in neurosurgery and promote a successful intervention actively in place in the United States
• Promote the work done and disseminate the awardee's intervention throughout the neurosurgical community
• Showcase the intervention as a best practice and potential model for other organizations

Details

An individual may either self-nominate or may be nominated by another individual for this award. 

The award for this program is complimentary registration to the 2026 CNS Annual Meeting and $1,500 in award funding. 

Award funding is to be used to cover expenses to support travel to the CNS Annual Meeting to give recognition and provide information on the awardee's intervention as a best practice and model for other organizations. 

Requirements for Applying

• Must be a CNS member in good standing (www.cns.org/membership)
• Must be neurosurgical resident or practicing neurosurgeon based within the United States
• The intervention must still be actively in practice and implemented within the United States
• Be able to provide the following materials during the application process:
  • A summary of the intervention or project you created within a community to advance DEI/healthcare disparity efforts in neurosurgery
  • Examples of guiding documents that serve as templates for emulation of the program
  • Stakeholder Letter(s) of Support
• If selected, applicant must attend the subsequent CNS Annual Meeting with potential to present overview on the intervention and its impact
• If selected, application must provide a brief statement (500-800 words) on how receiving a CNS Foundation award has impacted his/her career in a positive manner

Additional Information