John O’Toole: What would you say were the most memorable highlights of your year as Chair of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves (DSPN)?

Praveen Mummaneni: We were fortunate to have an outstanding Executive Committee leading the Section, and working with them is the highlight of my year. Our officers are dedicated and an inspiration to see in action. Financially the Section is stronger than ever due to the efforts of Chair elect Jack Knightly, Secretary Marjorie Wang, Treasurer Mike Wang, Exhibits Chair Dan Hoh, and Past Chair John Hurlbert. The committee chairs pulled more than their weight as well.

Adam Kanter and Zo Ghogawala and the scientific program committee created a superb Annual Meeting featuring honored guests Chris Shaffrey and Larry Lenke. Phil

Weinstein, who is a founding member of the Section is this year’s honored guest. The institution of the Charles Kuntz IV memorial fund through the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation to promote resident attendance at the annual meeting is a milestone for us. We invited Charlie’s parents and family to the annual meeting to see thirty residents who are attending the Section meeting to give oral talks and receive travel awards through the Kuntz NREF fund.

John O’Toole: This year’s DSPN annual meeting, or“Spine Summit 2016,” again features the involvement of a large number of other spine societies. In what ways do you think we can maximize the potential of collaboration when engaging leaders of these other organizations?

Praveen Mummaneni: Engagement of colleagues in other spine societies is a primary goal in advancing the mission of the section, namely, to advance spine and peripheral nerve patient care through education, research and advocacy. Our mission overlaps with those of the other spine societies, and by partnering with them we become more effective in realizing that mission. We are better off all pulling the oars of the ship in the same direction.