In 2008, the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) established the Cushing Circle of Giving, which is a cumulative, lifetime and planned/deferred giving society for individuals who support the Foundation. The goals of the NREF Cushing Circle include increasing NREF giving (annual, major and planned gifts), creating an organizational identity and building camaraderie among philanthropists who consistently support the NREF. Criteria for individual membership are historical giving total of at least $20,000; historical giving total of at least $10,000, with a pledge of at least $10,000 within the next five years (at a minimum rate of $2,000 per year); or historical giving total of at least $10,000, with a memorandum of understanding for a willed bequest of at least $50,000.

The Cushing Circle of Giving allows the NREF to recognize those who have made significant gifts and commitments to the NREF since its inception in 1981, thus increasing awareness of and dedication to the NREF among current and potential donors. The generosity of the Cushing Circle of Giving’s members has enabled the NREF to ensure the future of the neurosurgical specialty by assisting the NREF to accomplish its mission of providing a private, non-governmental source of funding for research training in the neurosciences.

Griffith R. Harsh IV, MD, FAANS, Chair of the NREF Executive Council, states, “Membership in the Cushing Circle of Giving has rapidly become the pinnacle of neurosurgical philanthropy; frequently, it manifests the intersection of two adages: ‘To whom much has been given, much is expected’ and ‘Leadership by example is often the most persuasive.’”

Thanks in part to the efforts of American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Board and NREF Executive Council members, 12 new members were added this year, bringing the total participants to 33. Many of these neurosurgical leaders are demonstrating their commitment by pledging $5,000 a year over the next four years.

The NREF would like to acknowledge the following individuals as members of this important giving society; those with an asterisk (*) are new members as of 2011:

Merwyn Bagan, MD, MPH, FAANS, FACS & Mrs. Carol Bagan
Timir Banerjee, MD, FAANS, FACS
Charles L. Branch Jr., MD, FAANS*
Mrs. E. Laurie Bittner
Hans C. Coester, MD, FAANS, FACS
Dr. and Mrs. William T. Couldwell, MD, PhD, FAANS*
John G. Golfinos, MD*
Michael W. Groff, MD, FAANS*
Dr. and Mrs. Robert G. Grossman
Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Grubb Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. John Guarnaschelli
Regis W. Haid Jr., MD, FAANS*
Robert E. Harbaugh, MD, FAANS, FACS*
Griffith R. Harsh IV, MD, FAANS & Ms. Margaret C. Whitman
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Levinthal
Paul C. McCormick, MD, MPH, FAANS, FACS*
Praveen V. Mummaneni, MD, FAANS*
Dr. and Mrs. Herbert Oestreich
Dr. and Mrs. Russel H. Patterson Jr.
Bruce E. Pollock, MD, FAANS*
Donald O. Quest, MD, FAANS
Dr. and Mrs. Robert A. Ratcheson
Dr. and Mrs. Albert L. Rhoton Jr.
Gail L. Rosseau, MD, FAANS
Dr. and Mrs. Richard L. Rovit
James T. Rutka, MD, PhD, FAANS, FACS*
Dr. and Mrs. John F. Schuhmacher
Edward L. Seljeskog, MD, PhD, FAANS
Dr. and Mrs. Warren R. Selman
Christopher I. Shaffrey, MD, FAANS*
Ms. Virginia Van Sant Reeves
Clarence B. Watridge, MD, FAANS, FACS*
Seth Weingarten, MD, FAANS

While the NREF is proud of this accomplishment, there are many dedicated NREF supporters close to meeting the $20,000 threshold. For more information about your NREF support or the Cushing Circle of Giving, contact the Development Department at (847) 378-0500 or nref@aans.org.