Paula and I welcome you to the 55th Annual Meeting of the WNS. We hope that you have a wonderful time here in Central Oregon and enjoy all the amenities that the Sunriver Resort has to offer. Our location is spectacular with its backdrop of the Cascade Mountains featuring Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters. There are so many things to do at the resort, it is impossible to list them all.

The scientific program prepared by Mark Linskey and his committee promises to be exceptional, featuring an outstanding mini-symposium on "CNS Vascular Challenges" chaired by the Western’s own Neil Martin, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at UCLA. The speakers also include Fernando Vinuela, MD, and Antonio DeSalles from UCLA along with Lori Shutter, MD, from the University of Cincinnati . The Ablin Lecture will be given by Neurology Professor from Case Western Reserve, Michael DeGeorgia, MD, who will present a very entertaining and informative talk entitled "Struck Down: The Collision of Stroke and History". Our Cloward Award winner is Nick Hopkins, MD, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University at Buffalo, New York. His presentation is, "Neurosurgeons and Stroke: From Prevention to Treatment".

The social program is very exciting with an opening reception on the Merchant Trader Lawn at the Sunriver Resort Friday evening featuring a buffet dinner and a talk on the geology of central Oregon by naturalist, Dave Nissen. Saturday evening will have a western theme as we will go to the High Desert Museum of Wild Life and Living History for cocktails followed by guided tours of sections of the Museum. Dinner will follow with a "chuck wagon buffet"; be sure to bring your jeans, boots, and cowboy hats for this special event! Sunday evening, the Annual Banquet will begin with cocktails and appetizers on the Great Hall Bachelor Lawn followed by a Surf and Turf dinner in the Great Hall with accompanying wines. The gala will conclude with dancing and music from the outstanding band, "Hit Machine". Of course, even the afternoons can be busy with golf, tennis, biking, hiking, swimming, canoeing or simply enjoying the magnificent scenery of Central Oregon and the Sunriver Resort.

At this time, Paula and I would like to thank all the members of the executive board and the chairmen of all the committees for their efforts during this year. Without your guidance and help, this meeting could not have been organized and a sincere thanks to everyone.

We are confident that you will have a wonderful time here in Sunriver and if there is anything we can do to make your stay easier, please let us know. Welcome to all!

Larry and Paula Shuer