NREF

Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Van Wagenen Hockey Tournament! : ow.ly/16N150XrNiq The tournament is back for its third year running at 3M Mariucci Arena Sunday, January 25, 2026! Open to medical students, residents and faculty who play hockey, this is your chance to showcase your skills and enjoy some friendly competition. All net proceeds benefit the William P. Van Wagenen Fellowship: ow.ly/BBlG50XrHvJ Time to trade scrubs for skates! We will see you on the ice.

The nomination window for the 2026 Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) and Emerging Technologies Course is now open! Connect with your program director or coordinator to be nominated, or contact info@nref.org for more information.

Receiving an @NREFORG #YoungInvestigator grant was such an honor, & a huge opportunity to launch my #neuroanatomy & #pedagogy research as a faculty @OU_Neurosurgery... this interview was a nice chance to express my gratitude & highlight the value of supporting @NREFORG!

The next generation of neurosurgery starts today. Congratulations to all the newly-matched neurosurgery residents! Years of hard work have led to this moment—and your impact is just beginning. AANS is proud to support you on the road ahead. #MatchDay2026 #FutureNeurosurgeon #AANSFamily

The NREF has invested over $30 million in the future of neurosurgery through its support of grants, fellowships, outcomes studies and education courses. With your support, we can accomplish even more! Make a gift to the NREF at ow.ly/2BUv50YvPUo #NREF #ImpactGiving #ShapingNeurosurgery

Congratulations to Dr. Collin Labak, recipient of the Kuntz Scholar Award at the 2026 Spine Summit, recognizing his outstanding abstract on research supported by an NREF grant. His work, “Implementation of Value-Based Spine Care Delivery at an Academic Health System: A Descriptive Analysis,” highlights how structured, multidisciplinary value-based care models can improve outcomes while reducing complications, readmissions, and unnecessary surgery. NREF is proud to support research like Dr. Labak’s that advances innovative approaches to spine care and helps shape a more effective, patient-centered future for neurosurgery. @cwru

Dr. Christopher Graffeo (@graffeo) shares how the NREF serves as a powerful tool for supporting the next generation of neurosurgeons. 🧠 As a resource dedicated to advancing education, research and professional development, the NREF provides fellowship grants that open doors for early-career trainees to gain hands-on experience, explore cutting-edge innovations and build lasting mentorships. Dr. Graffeo emphasizes the importance of internal support systems like the NREF in helping young neurosurgeons grow into confident, capable leaders in the field. Learn more about our fellowship grant offerings and how you can support the future of neurosurgery at the link in our bio. @ou_neurosurgery #Neurosurgery #NREF #ResearchGrant #FutureNeurosurgeons #MedicalEducation #SurgicalTraining #Doctor #Science #MentorshipMatters

Congratulations to Laureen Hachem, MD, PhD, on the publication of her latest research in Nature Neuroscience. Supported in part by funding from the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF), this important work advances our understanding of how the spinal cord responds to injury and identifies mechanisms that may help unlock the regenerative potential of neural stem and progenitor cells. By exploring ways to enhance cellular activation and migration after spinal cord injury, Dr. Hachem and her colleagues are helping move the field closer to therapies that could improve recovery and functional outcomes for patients.@UofT Department of Surgery

Interested in attending an NREF course this year? Sign up to be notified when the nomination window opens for each course: ow.ly/cz3Y50YtM6a These education courses are nomination only, and a program director (or coordinator) must submit your nomination. Be sure to speak with your program director about nominating you. Explore the 2026 course offerings here: ow.ly/l9Gp50YtM6b

The 2026 Cushing Bowl kicks off April 1st! Will Westchester Medical Center defend their title, or will a new champion emerge? Stay tuned for an epic competition among neurosurgery residency programs across the country! #CushingBowl #GameOn #DonateToday #Neurosurgery #NREF #Fundraising #TeamSpirit @wakeforestuniveristy @The George Washington University @Hofstra University @UniversityofMiami @Westchester Medical Center Health Network

The NREF has advanced careers and the specialty of neurosurgery, but there is still so much to learn. Help us continue driving innovation, training future leaders, and funding groundbreaking research. Show your support at: ow.ly/a23h50YsRyx #NREF #ImpactGiving #ShapingNeurosurgery

Tier 1 leadership meets spine surgery. Join the Regis W. Haid Jr. Leadership Symposium at #AANS2026 for a full day of surgical strategy, innovation and high-performance insights from elite minds in neurosurgery, business and special forces. @NREFORG ow.ly/xcz850YpPWf

Heading to Phoenix for the 2026 #SpineSummit? Information about NREF courses, grants and fellowship programs available in the AANS Booth. ow.ly/KJk150Yijvh #Spinesummit #AANS #spinesurgery #NREF

Megan Bauman, a former recipient of the Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship grant, reflects on how the NREF helped shape her path in neurosurgery. From gaining valuable research experience to forging meaningful connections in the field, Megan credits the NREF for opening doors early in her medical career. Now, she’s looking ahead—with a vision for continued involvement and a deep commitment to advancing neurosurgical education and research. Hear Megan’s inspiring story and learn how NREF programs are empowering the next generation of neurosurgeon-scientists. 🌟 @meganbaumanmd @mayoclinicsom @MayoNsgyRes #TestimonialTuesday #NREF #MedicalEducation #Neurosurgery #FutureNeurosurgeons #NeurosurgeryTraining

Two NREF grant recipients, Drs. Adam Sonabend (2012–13) and Mark Youngblood (2022–23), are among the authors of a newly published study highlighting a non-invasive method to predict chemotherapy response in glioblastoma. Published in Nature Communications, the research examines how advanced imaging and molecular analysis may help physicians better determine which patients are most likely to benefit from chemotherapy. This work represents an important step toward more personalized and effective care for patients facing one of the most aggressive brain tumors. Read the full article: ow.ly/myjV50YexVY In his NREF testimonial, Dr. Youngblood discusses the findings from his fellowship research project, shares the current status of that work and explains how NREF support helped shape his goals as a neurosurgeon-scientist. Watch Dr. Youngblood’s testimonial: ow.ly/lQKJ50Yexy5 Support the future of neurosurgical research: ow.ly/Iwx850YexEZ

Save the Date! The 2026 NREF Resident & Fellow Course calendar has been announced. If you are interested in coming to an in-person course, talk to your program director about your nomination. #NREF #FutureNeurosurgeons #NeurosurgicalInnovation

The #AANS2026 featured speaker lineup brings together leaders in neurosurgery and beyond to challenge convention and share new perspectives. Learn more: annualmeeting.aans.org/featured-speak…

Bringing the Van Wegenen cup back to NYC!!! @NREFORG @AANSNeuro @DrAndrewGrande @jmascite See you next year!

Some more pics from the NREF Van Wagenen Hockey Tourney! @NREFORG @DrAndrewGrande @TimothyUngMD @DavidAltschulMD @DornbosIII_MD @mtlawton @wchrisfox

Congratulations to the Long Island Ducks, winners of the 3rd Annual Van Wagenen Hockey Tournament. The event raised $40,000 to support the Van Wagenen Fellowship Fund. ow.ly/rn9q50Y5HJG The 3rd Annual Van Wagenen Hockey Tournament was a huge success! With around 50 players and tough competition, the tournament was a nail biter! The Long Island Ducks managed to come through with the win, taking down the Peterborough Patriots in the final. Congrats to all the participants for an awesome effort on the ice and thank you to those who generously supported the fundraiser! Special thanks to the partners of the tournament - Kaneka, Medtronic, Mitaka, Mizuho, Peter Lazic and Scientia Vascular. There is still time to contribute to the fundraiser. Use this link to make a donation: ow.ly/rFQ550Y5HJE The William P. Van Wagenen Fellowship is one of the most distinguished awards in neurosurgery, providing recipients with a unique opportunity to gain global research experience, collaborate with leading neurosurgeons worldwide, and contribute to advancements in the field.

Another fantastic neurosurgery hockey weekend! The whole family made it! @NREFORG @TimothyUngMD @DrAndrewGrande @DavidAltschulMD @DornbosIII_MD