This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. As immediate past chair of the American Association of Neurological surgeons/congress of neurological surgeons section on women in neurosurgery, I was instrumental in bringing our group from a fringe organization to a recognized section in our national organizations. The development of our “women leading the way” leadership program has filled a void in neurosurgical education and allowed partnering of women neurosurgeons with women in the medical device industry. A portion of our program focuses on mentorship of female medical students, which matches 70-80 female students with neurosurgeons. We continue to look at the issues that face women in neurosurgery residency and practice to promote retention (samadani et al, accepted Journal of Neurosurgery 2014)

Julie G Pilitsis MD, PhD completed an accelerated 6 yr BS/MD program at Rensselaer and Albany Medical College. She went on to complete a PHD and neurosurgical residency at Wayne State University. She then completed a fellowship at Rush University in Chicago in functional neurosurgery, specializing in deep brain stimulation and stimulation for chronic pain syndromes. She is an R01 funded associate professor at Albany Medical College and is well published in her field. She is currently the immediate past chair of the AANS/CNS section on women in neurosurgery and the current chair of the AANS/CNS section on pain.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)