Abstract

Dear Colleagues, We hereby cordially invite you to the 70th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Neurosurgery from 12 to 15 May 2019 in Würzburg. My colleagues and I would like to thank the professional society for hosting this jubilee conference here in Würzburg - 85 years after the founding of the first independent neurosurgical department in Germany by Wilhelm Tönnis. Given the historical background of the close relationship between Tönnis and his Swedish teacher, Herbert Olivecrona, we are particularly pleased that the 1st Joint Meeting with the Scandinavian Society for Neurosurgery (SNS) will take place at the congress. In an established way, we are starting the annual convention with the Educational Day, which will be organized in collaboration with the Neurosurgical Academy. Following the ceremonial opening in the Würzburg Residence, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1981, we at the Congress Center Würzburg (CCW), enlarged and modernized since the last conference in 2008, will address current issues of neurosurgical healthcare, research and teaching and discuss future perspectives. This orientation of the conference substantiates the two main topics "Health Services Research" and "Neurosurgery 2030", under which we want to highlight various neurosurgical emphases. Especially today we can point out the final event on Wednesday, Würzburg is a dynamic city in which old and new, Baroque and youth, tradition and renewal are not contradictions, but, in the best sense of the "Universitas", form the basis for interdisciplinary and interdisciplinary discussions. The fact that these can be inspired by good food and equally good wine should also be reflected in the convivial evening in the Bürgerspital - with a reception in the wine cellar, a dinner in the Kelterhalle and lots of music we are looking forward to many younger participants! We wish for the annual conference 2019 an intensive scientific, but also social exchange of experiences and ideas as well as exciting and lively discussions in a stimulating, friendly and collegial atmosphere. My colleagues and I already welcome you to Würzburg! Prof. Dr. Ralf-Ingo Ernestus Congress President