Est. 2005 · Honor Academy

World Academy of Neurological Surgery

WANS is a non-profit public benefit organization founded in 2005 as an honor academy to promote collaboration and camaraderie among world-leading neurosurgeons — with the mandate to share scientific knowledge and experience, support international education and advanced neurosurgical practice, foster humanitarian advocacy, and recognize elite neurosurgeons and pioneers for their achievements.

Members Area Meeting History

Save the Date

10th Biennial Conference of WANS — Taormina, Italy

September 26–28, 2026 · Hotel Capotaormina — in conjunction with the 75th SINch National Congress, Catania

The full scientific programme and the confirmed faculty list are now available.

Programme, Faculty & Registration

2005

Founded

Biennial & interim meetings

Golden Neuron laureates

Important Message

March 13, 2026

WANS Golden Neuron Award — Voting Now Open

On behalf of the WANS Executive Committee, it gives me distinct pleasure to invite you all to submit your vote in favor of one of the nominees listed on the World Academy of Neurological Surgeons website for our prestigious “Golden Neuron Award– 2026.”

The confidential voting process is conducted solely on the WANS website and spans from August 5th to October 5th. Kindly avoid using any slogan or advocacy statements on the WANS member WhatsApp cheering any of the respected nominees — such action will be immediately spotted and removed.

The name of the final awardee will be announced during the WANS conference in September 2026.

— Prof. Imad N. Kanaan, President of WANS

All important messages

Latest News

View all →

August 1, 2026

10th Biennial Conference — Scientific Programme & Confirmed Faculty Released

The Executive Committee has released the full scientific programme of the WANS 10th Biennial Conference, to be held at the Hotel Capotaormina in Taormina, Italy on September 26–28, 2026, in conjunction with the 75th SINch National Congress in Catania.

Three days of sessions cover spine and cranio-vertebral surgery, meningiomas, skull base and cranio-cervical junction, vascular neurosurgery and bypass, neuro-oncology, epilepsy and functional neurosurgery, endoscopy and brainstem surgery — closing with the Welcome Reception, the Gala Dinner and “Golden Neuron” Award, and a guided tour of the coast, Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto and Castelmola.

The list of confirmed attending faculties, as of August 1st, 2026, is published together with the programme sheets.

See the full programme

March 12, 2026

Tribute to Professor M. Gazi Yaşargil

Dear academicians, friends and respected colleagues. The World Academy of Neurological Surgery pays tribute to Professor M. Gazi Yaşargil, honorary member and 2007 Golden Neuron Award laureate, on the occasion of his 100th anniversary symposium.

March 11, 2026

WANS Collaborative Conference & Yaşargil 100Y Anniversary Symposium — Zurich

The 100th Yaşargil Anniversary Symposium, held in collaboration with the World Academy of Neurological Surgery, took place as a special interim conference in Zurich, Switzerland on July 6–7, 2025.

A Message from the President

Dear respected friends and colleagues.

It is my distinct honor to serve as the new president of the World Academy of Neurological Surgeons “WANS”.

I am really privileged to be embraced by great colleagues and distinguished academicians to lead the WANS' non-profitable mission in promoting international neurosurgical education and academic collaboration, support a high level of global neurosurgical practice and humanitarian advocacy and recognize elite neurosurgeons and celebrate their achievements.

On behalf of my colleagues at the executive committee and our avant-garde leadership, we extend our appreciation to your inspiring support to WANS' mission and value your continuous dynamic academic contributions.

— Prof. Imad N. Kanaan, President of WANS