Welcome Messages

WELCOME TO NNS 2023!

Kimberly Byrnes, PhD

President , National Neurotrauma Society

Hello NNS 2023 attendees,

On behalf of the National Neurotrauma Society, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 40^th Annual Symposium of the National Neurotrauma Society, including the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care. Our theme this year is “Celebrating Landmarks in Neurotrauma”. As we celebrate our 40^th anniversary of this Symposium, our theme will highlight important strides that have been made in neurotrauma research, many of which were revealed at past Symposia. Our 2023 Symposium will also be an opportunity to advocate for the landmark discoveries that are still to come.

Last year was our first return to in-person meetings after a brief hiatus, and it was a resounding success. I’m so excited to be able to do this again in 2023! This year, we have 2 amazing co-chairs for the Program Committee – Drs. Courtney Robertson and Linda Noble have been working with the Program Committee to assemble a fabulous Symposium for us all. We’ll be building on our successes and initiatives from last year – expanding opportunities for neurotrauma advocacy and data sharing, while also exploring new, cutting edge studies in preclinical through clinical neurotrauma research. We are planning an outstanding slate of national and international neurotrauma speakers, and a remarkable venue at the Marriott Austin Downtown.

Most importantly, we’ll have ample opportunities for everyone to once again network and interact in person!

I would like to thank Drs. Robertson and Noble, the Program Committee and the ICS Conference Team for their hard work organizing the Symposium. I would also like to thank all NNS Council members and Officers, as well as all NNS committee members, for everything they have done for the Society over this last year. All of these dedicated and hard-working scientists and clinicians have volunteered to support NNS initiatives, from trainee support and mentoring, to web-based roundtables, to sharing our work through social media and newsletters, to new initiatives in our collaboration with the Journal of Neurotrauma and Neurotrauma Reports. It has been an exceptionally exciting period of growth for the society, and I’m thrilled by the progress we’ve made.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Austin as we continue to fulfill the NNS’ mission of promoting excellence in the neurotrauma field.

Welcome to Austin!

It is our distinct pleasure to invite you to attend the 40^thannual National Neurotrauma Society Symposium, to be held in Austin, Texas on June 25-28, 2023, at the Marriott Austin Downtown. As in previous years, the NNS will co-host this meeting with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/CNS Joint Section on Neurotrauma & Critical Care.

Our theme this year is “Celebrating Landmarks in Neurotrauma”. Beyond commemorating the 40^th Anniversary of the Symposium and the 35^th Anniversary of the NNS, we will also celebrate scientific landmarks in neurotrauma research to date and will be planning a rich scientific program that will promote future landmarks in neurotrauma research.

We are very pleased to have assembled a fantastic group of program committee members, who bring expertise across the wide spectrum of preclinical and clinical research in brain and spinal cord trauma and in research areas that include neurotrauma across the lifespan, heterogeneity of injury, and acute care to rehabilitation.

In addition to cutting edge science, we will also offer numerous opportunities for networking and scientific exchange. And we will continue our NNS tradition of focusing on education, mentoring and diversity, with sessions and activities supported by the TEAM committee. This will include our second year of the Local Diversity Scholars program.

We look forward to seeing y’all in Austin!

Courtney L. Robertson, MD

NNS 2023 Program Chair