Beloved Pediatric Neurosurgeon Honored for 37 Years of Service to Children
Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) October 18, 2013 -- Dr. Marion (Jack) Walker, pediatric neurosurgeon at Primary Children's Medical Center and professor of neurosurgery at the University of Utah, School of Medicine, received the Vision Award for Service at the first annual Hydrocephalus Association Vision Dinner which took place on October 10, 2013, in New York City. The event entitled, "A Time for Awareness. The Hope for a Cure," brought together politicians, neurosurgeons, scientists, advocates, and business leaders at a special evening to raise the public profile of an incurable brain condition that affects 1 million Americans. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain. There is no cure and the only treatment option requires brain surgery. The prevalent treatment is the implantation of a shunt, a medical device developed over 50 years ago that has a high failure rate, relegating patients to a lifetime of brain surgery.
The Service Award honors Dr. Walker’s career of 37 years devoted to meeting the needs of the pediatric hydrocephalus community. He has been hailed as America’s most beloved neurosurgeon. As one of the founding members of the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery and past president of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons, Dr. Walker is highly regarded by peers and is an inspiration to the next generation of neurosurgeons. Among other prestigious leadership positions held by Dr. Walker, he has served as chairman of the Joint Section on Pediatric Neurological Surgery of the AANS/CNS and chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery.
The First Annual Vision Dinner was hosted by Craig and Vicki Brown, major benefactors of the Hydrocephalus Association. Dr. Benjamin Warf, renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and 2012 MacArthur Foundation Fellow, served as the keynote speaker. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and New York State Senator John J. Flanagan praised the event’s focus on empowering the latest research around better treatment options and a cure for those living with hydrocephalus.
"We are very thankful to be able to increase awareness of this under-represented condition and to bring attention to the many families that are living with its challenges. We hope this special evening results in greater knowledge of the Hydrocephalus Association’s progress in both treatment protocols and research, and will serve to inspire others to join us on our journey to increase investments in hydrocephalus research that will lead to a cure," stated Vicki Brown, who has a son with hydrocephalus.
The event was held at the Apella Alexandria Conference Center located within the Alexandria Center for Life Science in New York City. For more information about the event or about hydrocephalus, please contact visiondinner2013(at)hydroassoc(dot)org.
About the Hydrocephalus Association
The Hydrocephalus Association (HA) is a charitable organization dedicated to eliminating the challenges of hydrocephalus by stimulating research and supporting people who are affected by this condition. Incorporated as a non-profit in 1986, HA is now the nation’s largest and most widely respected organization dedicated solely to serving those affected by hydrocephalus. HA has been instrumental in creating a community of individuals, families and health care professionals addressing the complexities of hydrocephalus in all age groups.
Amanda Garzon, Hydrocephalus Association, http://www.hydroassoc.org, (301) 202-3811 26, [email protected]
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