The fifth biennial meeting: Vienna, Austria 2014  

The 5th biennial meeting was organized by Dr Engelbert Knosp in Vienna Austria in conjunction with the Austrian Neurosurgical Societies 50th year aniversarial meeting on October 10-11th 2014. Twenty six academicians have participated in the meeting. On October 9th 2014 at 7:30 PM the academicians gathered at the Hotel Loby of Hilton plaza and then all WANS members participated in the Gala dinner of the Austrian Neurosurgical Society at the Leopold museum-Museum Platz. This was a wonderful gala-dinner of the Austrian Society of Neurosurgery and also a welcome dinner for members of WANS. It was organized as a black tie dinner with wonderful recitals and exceptional Austrian cousine. On October 10th, the first groups of scientific presentations were arranged together with the Austrian Neurosurgical Societies meeting in the Leopold Museum. On the same night at 6PM a dinner was arranged at the Fuhrgassl-Huber wineyard. This was again a frutful night in Vienouise tradition. On October 11th the scientific session and presentations were  specific for WANS members and they took place at  the Society of Viennese Physicians, at the Billroth House.  Af opening remarks of Mr President Engelbert Knosp, the opening lecture was given by Prof Oliver Rathkolb on “Changes in Europe after 1914”.  During the day, there were 24 excellent scientific presentations by WANS members, which were followed by fruitful discussions at this historical site.  The business meeting took place afther the scientific meeting and the necessity for acquisition of new members was discussed. A proposal for changing the constitution about the age limitations was discussed, voted and rejected. It was anonymously concluded that the constitution and bylaws must be kept as they are. Future meeting sites, Jeju Island for 2015 and Athens-greece for 2016 were also discussed, voted and accepted. The elections for new officers for the (2014-2016) term were done and the following officers were elected: President Dr Engelbert Knosp, President elect Dr M Necmettin Pamir; Past president James Rutka, Secretary treasurer Dr M Necmettin Pamir. The Gala-dinner on October 11th, 2014 was a black tie dinner took place at the Vestibül Restaurant in the Royal Theater. During this gala dinner the Golden Neuron Award was presented to Dr Madjid Samii by Dr John Popp. The social program was also very sophisticated. A guided city tour and tour to Schönbrunn Palast and StStephen’s cathedral and downtown Vienna tours were orgranized for members and their spouses were very much pleased. On the morning of October 12th 2014 bus transports to Prague for the upcoming EANS 2014 Annual meeting were arranged.