PLAINSBORO, N.J., April 24, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Integra Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Integra LifeSciences Corporation (Nasdaq:IART), announced today that it has awarded grants totaling $55,000 to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), in support of the AANS Pinnacle Partners in Neurosurgery program, which furthers neurosurgical education, and to enable neuroscience nurses to attend the upcoming 2008 AANS Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, April 26-May 1.
The AANS Pinnacle Partners in Neurosurgery program affords corporate partners the opportunity to further neurosurgical education for residents and support much-needed research through the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF).
"Neuroscience nurses continue to look to the AANS for new and innovative educational opportunities. Support from the Integra Foundation enables them to attend the AANS Annual Meeting and participate in practical clinics, breakfast seminars and other scientific session directly applicable to providing care to neurosurgical patients. Wherever they work in the hospital setting, university lab or doctor's office, these associate members of the AANS are gaining valuable knowledge about their chosen specialty through this meeting," said Michele S. Gregory, AANS Director of Development.
Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the AANS is a scientific and educational association with more than 7,200 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to patients. All active members of the AANS are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) of Canada or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, AC. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system including the spinal column, spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves.
The Integra Foundation is dedicated to advancing innovative medical and healthcare research and education, primarily in the areas of neurosurgery, reconstructive and general surgery, that lead to improved outcome and quality of life for patients and their communities. It is funded by Integra LifeSciences Corporation, a world leader in developing and marketing high quality surgical instruments, as well as innovative devices and bio-products, for use in neurosurgery, reconstructive and general surgery and soft tissue repair. www.integra-foundation.org