Society Awards Research Articles

Evaluating neurosurgical society award recipients: Realising inclusivity in neurosurgical awards

Evaluating neurosurgical society award recipients: Realising inclusivity in neurosurgical awards

The Leaders in Informatics, Quality, and Systems (LInQS) Fellowship.

Leaders in Informatics, Quality, and Systems (LInQS) is a non-ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education)-accredited 2-year training program developed to enhance training in the fields of health care delivery, quality improvement (QI), clinical informatics, and leadership. This single-institution 2-year longitudinal training program grounded in QI and informed by leadership and clinical informatics includes didactics, coaching, and mentorship, all centered around individualized QI projects. The program has been available to sub-specialty fellows, advanced practice providers, and physicians. From 2019 to 2023, 32 fellows have been accepted into the program with 13 graduates and 16 currently enrolled. Fellows have been predominately female, physicians, and from multiple specialties but predominantly hospital medicine. Fellows' evaluations of the fellowship are highly positive, rating the didactics and mentorship aspects of the curriculum most favorably. Most fellows' projects utilized informatics solutions including clinical decision support tools to increase quality of care, improve patient outcomes, and reduce costs of care resulting in manuscript publications, national presentations, and a national specialty society award. Since matriculation, 50% of fellows received certification as Epic Physician Builders and 34% received leadership positions in clinical informatics, quality, and education. Our experience supports the need to provide health care providers more expansive training in the areas of QI, clinical informatics, and leadership for improving health care delivery. Additional in-depth knowledge and experience in these fields may produce and benefit leaders in these fields.

Evaluating neurosurgical society award recipients: An analysis of awardee characteristics with respect to gender, race, education, geographic location, and neurosurgical society

IntroductionProfessional society awards can substantially impact career trajectory of awardees in neurosurgery. Past studies have discussed the demographics of neurosurgery conference awardees in terms of gender and professional experience; however, a full assessment of awardee qualities and characteristics has yet to be studied. ObjectiveThe goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of neurosurgical society winners that focuses on gender, race, academic degrees, and institutional/geographic affiliation. MethodsData of awardees across 14 neurosurgical societies from 2019 to 2022 was recorded. Variables recorded include professional society, award classification, year won, age, gender, race and ethnicity, board certification status, MD graduation year, degrees obtained, awardee home institution location, h-index, and NIH-funding. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS. ResultsA total of 102 unique awards from 14 different societies between 2019 and 2022 were identified.Significantly more men (83 %) as compared to women (17 %) were awardees (p < 0.001). Awardees were significantly more likely to be Caucasian as compared to any other race (p < 0.001), and Caucasian awardees were more likely to be board certified and receive NIH funding. A higher proportion of male awardees had a PhD; however, the majority of all awardees were significantly more likely to not have a PhD or be board certified (p < 0.001). The majority of awardees were based in the Northeastern United States. ConclusionsAmong winners of neurosurgical society awards, significant differences exist with respect to gender, race, ethnicity, degree type, and geographic location. Future research endeavors are needed to explore the reason for why these differences exist to ultimately develop strategies that promote equal opportunities for all neurosurgeons.

Analysis of Gender Discrepancies in Leadership Roles and Recognition Awards in the Child Neurology Society.

Gender disparities have been demonstrated across several medical specialties, including neurology. Although women have comprised most of the child neurology trainees since 2007, it is not apparent whether this demographic shift is reflected in the Child Neurology Society (CNS) awards and leadership. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in gender representation among leadership positions and award recipients within the CNS. The primary outcome measure was the total number of board of director (BOD) positions or awards given by gender each year. A retrospective review of publicly available data was conducted on CNS members, post-training award recipients, and BOD positions, including nomination records, from 1972 to 2023. Data abstracted were restricted to gender to preserve member and nominee anonymity. Gender identification and consensus were determined through a combination of strategies and study members. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson χ2 test, and the exact binomial test to compare gender proportions and the probability of being underrepresented in awards, leadership, and nominations over time. Data are presented according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. From 1972 to 2023, women represented 29% (44/152) of the BOD positions and 26% (61/236) of post-training award recipients presented by the CNS. Despite the increase in the proportion of women in child neurology, the overall gap in gender representation in leadership positions remains broadly stable. Only 13% (4/32) of CNS presidents have been women, a significant underrepresentation (95% CI 2.3%-52%, p < 0.004), although the representation of women in nonpresidential positions increased from 2003 to 2023. Women are also underrepresented as overall awardees (95% CI 12%-38%, p < 0.00001) except for the Philip R. Dodge Young Investigator Award, which is an investigator-initiated application. Women remain underrepresented at the highest levels of recognition in child neurology despite representing most of the field. Reasons for disparities are known to be multifactorial and likely include gender bias and structural sexism. We present several discussion topics that seek to rationalize this disparity and provide suggestions for improving diversity, equity, and inclusion for leadership roles and awards.

IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society Award Recipients

IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society Award Recipients

Recognizing the 2024 TMS Society Award Recipients

Recognizing the 2024 TMS Society Award Recipients

Gender distribution of North American professional radiology society award recipients

PurposeWomen remain underrepresented in radiology and there is a paucity of literature examining the recognition of their professional contributions to the discipline. The purpose of this study was to examine the gender distribution of award winners across all North American radiology societies. MethodsThe gender distribution of 1923 award recipients from 21 North American radiology societies between 1960 and 2021 was examined. Awards were divided into four categories: leadership, teaching, contribution to radiology, and promising new/young societal member. Primary outcome was the total proportion of awards received by gender. All data was compared to the gender distribution of working radiologists in North America. ResultsA total of 1923 award recipients were identified between 1960 and 2021. Seventy-nine percent of award recipients were men (n = 1527) and 21 % were women (n = 396). As of 1970, the proportion of women award recipients increased 0.55 % ± 0.07 % each year. The proportion of women receiving radiological awards after 2018 is equal to or surpassing the percentage of women radiologists. Women received 36.4 % of leadership, 33.6 % of promising new member, 30.1 % of teaching, and 14.4 % of lifetime contribution awards. ConclusionsIn the last five years, the proportion of women receiving awards was equal to or greater than the proportion of women radiologists. Women received more leadership awards and fewer lifetime contributor awards compared to men.

The British Fluoridation Society awards inaugural career development fellowship

The British Fluoridation Society awards inaugural career development fellowship

Optical Methods for the Study of Brain Metabolism In Situ.

From its inception, the International Society of Oxygen Transport to Tissue (ISOTT) included several core members who were intrigued by the possibility of using light to probe the metabolic state of the cerebral cortex. This 50th anniversary review will focus on optical methods (UV, Visible, NIR) used to study brain oxygen metabolism in the intact brain. Chance, Lübbers, and Jöbsis did fundamental work in the 1970s and 1980s. These investigators spearheaded the use of fluorescence of pyridine nucleotides (e.g., NADH) and flavoprotein, and visible and near-infrared spectroscopy of haemoglobin amount and saturation, as well as the mitochondrial cytochrome chain. Two of our society awards are named for these pioneers and founders. By the new millennium, their many scientific descendants (although still too few for the task at hand) have been productive and moved the field forward. Technical advances in materials, detectors, devices, and computer power have made great advances possible. Physiological theory and understanding of cell and molecular mechanisms still lag, providing fertile territory for future goals. There are at least two major directions currently that will certainly continue to illuminate brain metabolism (obvious-and well worn-pun intended). These are the burgeoning NIR instrumentation variations, and second, the tremendous potential of two-photon phosphorescence lifetime microscopy. These advances have been introduced through the years and continue to be advanced at our annual ISOTT symposia.

Charity Scott - A Masterful Teacher.

In 2006, the University of Maryland Carey School of Law had the privilege of co-hosting the annual Health Law Professors Conference with the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics (ASLME). Coincidentally, as director of the Law & Health Care Program at Maryland, I had the opportunity to announce the winner of the Jay Healey Health Law Teachers' Award at the conference. The award is given to "professors who have devoted a significant portion of their career to health law teaching and whose selection would honor Jay [Healey's] legacy through their passion for teaching health law, their mentoring of students and/or other faculty and by their being an inspiration to colleagues and students."1 Healey, a Professor in the Humanities Department at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, was the youngest recipient of the Society's Health Law Teachers' Award, which he received in 1990. He was passionate about teaching and had the idea to devote a session each year at the annual conference to teaching health law. It was always a plenary session at which he challenged us to be better teachers. Jay died in 1993, at the age of 46, not long after the Health Law Teachers conference that year, which he attended and which also happened to be held in Baltimore at the University of Maryland School of Law. Thereafter, the award was given in his name.

Call for Nominations for the 2024 IAS Society Awards [Awards

Call for Nominations for the 2024 IAS Society Awards [Awards

The Coleopterists Society Awards and Honors

The Coleopterists Society Awards and Honors

Publications in BJS and BJS Open by Professor Henrik Kehlet, inaugural winner of the BJS Society Award in Surgery.

Publications in BJS and BJS Open by Professor Henrik Kehlet, inaugural winner of the BJS Society Award in Surgery.

Publications in BJS and BJS Open by Professor Henrik Kehlet, inaugural winner of the BJS Society Award in Surgery.

Publications in BJS and BJS Open by Professor Henrik Kehlet, inaugural winner of the BJS Society Award in Surgery.

What makes Global South scholars underrepresented in Academic Society Awards?

What makes Global South scholars underrepresented in Academic Society Awards?

Biochemical Society Awards: what you need to know when making your nomination

With nominations for the 2025 Biochemical Society Awards opening soon, find out all you need to know about the process of nominating from past and present Chairs of the Awards Committee. Your nominations allow us to recognize outstanding achievement and research across all career stages within our community every year.

IEEE Consumer Technology Society Awards Presented At ICCE 2023

The IEEE Consumer Technology Society (CTSoc) would like to congratulate the following winners of the IEEE awards and various CTSoc awards. The awards were presented at the society's flagship conference, the 41st IEEE International Conference on Consumer Electronics (ICCE 2023), in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, from January 5–8, 2023.

Marvellous, magnificent mycelium

This issue takes a fascinating look at how fungi might support a more sustainable world. I had no idea that fungi could be used to create materials as a potential alternative to plastic and leather. I was left wondering when the first fungi-grown handbag might hit the market – as it turns out, it happened last year but the £1,995 price tag for the mycelium leather bag from Stella McCartney is a little out of everyday reach just yet. Find out more in ‘Sourcing filamentous fungi for material production’.Of course, fungi play an extremely important role in plant ecosystems, making nutrients available in the soils, and applying this knowledge our crops could help us with sustainable farming practice. The potential application of this is covered in ‘Mycorrhizal fungi and food security’. In truth, when I took this position for The Biochemist I didn’t expect to read so many articles about how biochemistry applications are influencing our food chain for the better but over the past couple of years we’ve had a number of articles on these themes across previous issues, see ‘Protein engineering and plants: the evolution of sustainable agriculture’ from March 2023 and ‘Increasing livestock farming sustainability using genome editing technology’ from June 2022 as two of the most recent examples.Both of the feature articles in this issue demonstrate how biochemistry is an important area to support more sustainable and environmentally conscious world, something I feel very strongly about and a topic we continue to highlight in The Biochemist: see ‘How the secrets of the Black Death give us sustainable meat’ and our entire issue on Sustainability from June 2022.It is wonderful to present the Biochemical Society Award winners for 2024 in this issue too! Congratulations to them all. Please take some time to look at the recipients some of whom have dedicated so much to biochemistry and others that are being recognized at the start of their careers.I am sad that we have two obituaries within this issue of two eminent biochemists, Professor Peter Quinn and Professor Colyn Crane-Robinson, who both had fascinating careers and a dedication to communicating biochemistry. Professor Quinn published over 400 papers and 10 books, and Professor Crane-Robinson delivered talks up until a few months before his death. I am glad The Biochemist offers a place for biochemists to be celebrated and remembered.

Award Recipients for Pediatric Gastroenterology: A Descriptive Analysis of Gender Distribution.

Society awards are an important component of recognition in medicine and for career advancement such as promotion. Multiple studies conducted in pediatrics and gastroenterology have shown underrepresentation of women awardees even in fields with a higher proportion of women than men. To our knowledge, no such studies have been conducted in pediatric gastroenterology. We hypothesized that among all recipients, women would be underrepresented when compared to men and that women were more likely to be given teaching awards compared to other career achievement awards. We collected data on recipients of major recognition award presented by The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition from 1987 to 2022. We found that 80.90% of the awards had been given to men and that most nominators were men. This study highlights inequities in women recipients for major awards and presents an opportunity for a call for action to examine and address the factors contributing to this gender inequity.

IEEE Journal of Microwaves 2021/2022 Outstanding Reviewers [Review Recognition

At <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">IEEE Journal of Microwaves</i> ( <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">JMW</i> ), we believe that quality reviewers deserve some extra recognition! As such, we have just established an “Outstanding Reviewers” program wherein at the end of each year, both authors and editors are solicited to search through their past papers and nominate particular reviews that made a real difference to the quality of a particular manuscript or the ability of an editor to make a decision on the true merits of a submitted paper. After considerable effort, we also convinced both the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society (MTT-S) Awards Committee and the IEEE Technical Activities Board Awards and Recognition Committee chairs that we could/should recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond in evaluating manuscripts. Especially important to the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">JMW</i> editor-in-chief are the recommendations of authors—many of whom had lots of extra work to do after receiving their reviewer comments—in suggesting reviews that really helped them improve their submissions. It might surprise you to hear that the authors who had to do the most work to satisfy their reviewers were the ones who made the majority of the nominations.