On May 6, 2022, the Department of Neurosurgery hosted the inaugural Michael L. J. Apuzzo lecture, established to honor Dr. Apuzzo, a distinguished adjunct professor at Yale School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery. Dr. Apuzzo is a globally renowned, prolific neurosurgeon and innovator who completed his residency at the Yale New Haven Hospital and went on to have a multi-faceted and highly influential career in academic neurosurgery. Dr. Apuzzo’s body of work and ideas is generally regarded as one of the primary motivators in the creation of modern neurosurgery.
This lecture invites the most esteemed and influential leaders in science and medicine to inspire and provoke thought. The inaugural guest was neurosurgeon Edward R. Laws, Jr., MD, a world leader in tumor surgery. Currently the Director of the Pituitary and Endocrine Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Laws has operated on more than 8,000 patients with brain tumors. He is the principal organizational leader of his generation. Dr. Laws has served as President of the American College of Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, among others. He has also authored 22 textbooks, numerous book chapters, and more than 570 research and clinical peer-reviewed scientific papers.
Dr. Laws drew upon his illustrious career to discuss “Virtuosity in Surgery.” “I feel strongly that patients need to talk to somebody, not a menu on the telephone,” said Laws in an article for Brigham Clinical News and Research. “We’ve created a clinic experience where the essential experts are there at the same time, so it’s incredibly user-friendly.”
"This was a great day to reconnect in person with our colleagues, honor Dr. Apuzzo and appreciate the neurosurgical profession that we have all chosen," says Perry Shear, MD, assistant professor of neurosurgery.
This was a great day to reconnect in person with our colleagues, honor Dr. Apuzzo and appreciate the neurosurgical profession that we have all chosen
Perry Shear, MD, assistant professor of neurosurgery
"The thing that stuck out to me the most was the homage to so many great neurosurgeons in one room...something I've never experienced before and made me feel like I was witnessing something very special. From Dr. Gunel introducing Dr. Piepmeier, to Dr. Piepmeier introducing Dr. Apuzzo and then finally seeing the 'virtuosity,' during Dr. Laws' lecture left me inspired and is something I will remember for a very long time," says Danielle Miyagishima, an MD/PhD student working in the Gunel Lab.
The lecture was followed by a light reception in the Beaumont Room and preceded by a dinner reception at Mory's Association.