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Anthony Martino, M.D., was the guest speaker at the conference. |
Anthony Martino, M.D., chair of neurosurgery at USA Health and professor of neurosurgery at the Whiddon College of Medicine, served as the meeting’s honored guest speaker. He kicked off the conference with a keynote address titled “A 35-Year Journey in Neurosurgery,” offering lessons in leadership, clinical evolution, and the pursuit of purpose-driven practice in the field.
“Our team was proud to contribute to the conference in a way that supports the mission of NSA and reflects the depth and talent within USA Health,” Martino said.
The USA Health neurosurgery team helped lead the conversation across several key themes of the conference:
- Richard Menger, M.D., MPA, vice chair of neurosurgery and chief of complex spine surgery, served as the scientific co-chair for the conference where he helped shape an agenda that addressed the complexities of payer relationships, reimbursement trends, and the broader implications of hospital system mergers on neurosurgical care in Alabama.
- Natalie Fox, DNP, PNP-BC, interim CEO and chief physician enterprise officer, joined Lou Baverso from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to explore the “Alabama Practice Environment with Large Mergers,” offering critical insights into how consolidation impacts access to care, neurosurgical delivery models, and practice management.
- Jai Thakur, M.D., director of minimally invasive cranial and skull base neurosurgery, presented on the topic “Controversy in Brain Tumors and Skull Base,” contributing to discussions around leading-edge surgical advancements and emerging techniques in complex cranial surgery.
- USA neurosurgery fellows Sudhir Suggala, MCh, and Adnan Shahid, MCh, shared ongoing research during the Rapid Research session, showcasing innovations that directly support improved outcomes in trauma and spine surgery.
- Danielle Chason, CRNP, RNFA, highlighted the critical role of advanced practice providers (APPs) in neurosurgical teams, sharing strategies for building cohesive, collaborative care environments that streamline workflows and enhance outcomes.
“The Neurosurgical Society of Alabama's 2025 Annual Conference was made a success by the innovation and dedication of our program chairs, Dr. Marshall Holland (from UAB) and Dr. Richard Menger,” said Meghan Martin, executive director of NSA. “Without their thoughtful ideas and suggestions for our speaker line up we would not be able to produce such great content for our neurosurgeons and advanced practice providers in this field.”
Through innovative research, advanced surgical techniques, and a commitment to integrated care teams, USA Health is improving outcomes and access for patients across the Gulf Coast.
