SNACC

Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care

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President’s Message

A Message from your President, Girija P. Rath, MD, DM

Dear Colleagues,

It is both a privilege and a profound responsibility to serve as President of the Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care (SNACC). As I step into this role, I am reminded of SNACC’s remarkable journey, from its early years (1973) as a small circle of pioneers in North America to its present identity as a vibrant, global community of clinicians, educators, and neuroscientists committed to advancing the care of patients with neurological disorders. What makes SNACC distinct and attractive is its welcoming atmosphere and its genuine encouragement for diversity within an exceptionally high-quality scientific and educational environment. I feel honored to be chosen to lead SNACC, while still working in an Asian country, which speaks volumes about its inclusivity. I am grateful for the responsibility and look forward to advancing our mission.

With 246 attendees from all around the world, including 66 students, residents, and fellows, our annual gathering in Atlanta, Georgia, was a huge success. Marie Angele Theard prepared the program and chose a great schedule of presentations that included clinical scenarios, controversies, and cutting-edge science. Thought-provoking presentations that generated vibrant conversations, led by international lecturers and specialists from related fields, offered fresh perspectives. Susana Vacas, Chair of the Scientific Affairs Committee, organized two excellent abstract sessions. Sincere gratitude to the speakers, moderators, and everyone who participated in the meeting. It is imperative to thank the attendees of the fundraiser for donations to both SNACC and the William Young Research Fund, which further support our mission financially. In addition, the IMI team deserves great praise for their persistent efforts behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Serving the SNACC BOD and/or EC under the leadership of previous presidents such as Chanannait Paisanthasan, Alana Flexman, John Bebawy, and Ines Koerner has been an honor. This year, new members were added to the SNACC leadership team. Congratulations to our newly elected Secretary-Treasurer, Shobana Rajan; new ICPNT Chair, Val Luoma; and new BOD members, Sonal Sharma and Dinesh Pal.  We are fortunate to have highly skilled members who generously donate their time and knowledge to our committees, which serve as the foundation of SNACC. Nadia Lunardi (Research), Ben Heller (Endorsed Documents), Benish Fatima (Communications), and Jibin Mathew (Membership) are the four new committee chairs, ready to offer fresh perspectives and ideas to SNACC.

The field of neuroanesthesiology and perioperative neuroscience has evolved dramatically over the past few decades. We now stand at the intersection where ‘neuroscience, technology, and perioperative medicine’ converge to redefine how we understand and care for the injured or vulnerable brain. In this dynamic landscape, SNACC remains a unifying force that fosters collaboration, promotes education, and nurtures the next generation of neuro-clinicians.

My vision for SNACC is to further strengthen its identity as a ‘global academic community in perioperative neuroscience’, one that connects minds, cultures, and disciplines. To achieve this, we will focus on three key pillars:

  • Education: Expanding educational access through webinars, workshops, and digital platforms, thereby creating opportunities for trainees and early-career professionals worldwide. Strengthening ICPNT, SNACC’s educational and accreditation arm, will be central to this goal.
  • Research: Supporting multicenter and translational studies through collaboration with research groups and institutions, bringing scientific discoveries closer to clinical practice.
  • Global Engagement: Deepening our partnerships with international societies and regional organizations to ensure SNACC remains inclusive and representative of the global community. Currently, we work with six affiliated societies and two international partners, and we aim to broaden this network further.

An influential publication that serves as a scientific mouthpiece is essential for any scientific Society. Under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Alana Flexman, the former president of SNACC, we are lucky to have a top-notch journal, the Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology (JNA). We shall make every effort to support the journal. I urge that JNA receive the most outstanding perioperative neuroscience research from all SNACC members.

Financial health is crucial to allow sustained focus on our mission. We will continue to identify and develop new financial opportunities and partnerships as industry sponsorships decline in a changing healthcare environment.

Our goal is to raise awareness of SNACC. We will continue to fortify our relationships with current partners while seeking new collaborations. At the same time, our social media team is establishing a strong presence, which is essential in the current climate. To participate in the discussions, I encourage every SNACC member to sign up for ‘X’ and follow @SNACCNeuro, @snaccprez, and @JNeurosurgAnes. SNACC also has other social media presences, and members can follow it on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

As I look ahead to the year, I am inspired by the passion and dedication of our members and the enthusiastic SNACC BOD. SNACC thrives because of your commitment to the science and patients. Together, we can shape the future of perioperative neuroscience and reaffirm SNACC’s role as a leader, mentor, and catalyst for progress in our field.

Warm regards,

Girija Prasad Rath, MD, DM