Clara Raquel Epstein, MD, FICS was the recipient of the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopaedic Surgeons’ Lifetime Achievement Award in Neurosurgery on June 7, 2013, presented by Kazem Fathie, MD, PhD, FACS, FICS, Past Chair of the AANOS and Past President of the US Section of ICS at The Omni Hotel, Jacksonville, Florida.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is The Academy’s most prestigious honor given to an individual who has established a history of distinguished contributions to the specialty of Neurosurgery or Orthopaedic Surgery and its leadership. The recipient has achieved lasting global recognition amongst his/her peers, including clinical and surgical care, continuing medical education, novel research and humanitarian contributions and has been acknowledged  as having reached a pinnacle of their specialty. Recipients of this award are recognized for personal integrity and exceptional contributions to Neurosurgery or Orthopaedic Surgery, clinical Neurosurgical/Orthopaedic care, translational research and contributions as a leader to Neurosurgery/Orthopaedic Surgery through organized medicine and humanitarian efforts. This prestigious honor annually recognizes a Neurosurgeon and Orthopaedic Surgeon who has demonstrated significant scientific and professional achievement during their medical and surgical careers.

Nominees for the award are reviewed and scrutinized by the AANOS Awards Committee and The Academy Board of Directors. Dr. Epstein is the first female Neurosurgeon as well as the youngest recipient of this honor.

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Clara Raquel Epstein, MD, FICS is one of ten physicians selected nationally by the AMA to participate in an AMA Physician Leadership Training Program and Inducted as President of Boulder County Medical Society

Clara Raquel Epstein, MD, FICS is one of ten physicians selected nationally by the AMA to participate in a grant funded AMA Physician Leadership Training Program. Each physician selected has a demonstrated history of community-based leadership and activism on lifestyle policy issues.  Lifestyle behaviors – tobacco and alcohol use, poor diet and physical inactivity – are associated with most chronic diseases and rising health care costs.  The American Medical Association (AMA), with an educational grant from Pfizer, has developed the Physicians as Community Health Advocates (PACHA) Leadership Program to assist physicians in taking a leadership role at the community level on policies that improve health behaviors and outcomes. Health behaviors are associated with most chronic diseases.  Policies at the community level combined with clinical practice can prevent these diseases and/or lessen their severity and improve quality of life for patients.  These Physicians as Community Health Advocates (PACHA) trainers will be able to further affect change in their respective communities. 

Dr. Epstein was an invited guest speaker and gave her presentation entitled “Advanced Physician Leadership Luncheon Seminar” at the 36th Annual Scientific Meeting & Workshops of the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopaedic Surgeons and the 74th Annual Surgical Update of the International College of Surgeons United States, held June 6-9, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, GA.  

Dr. Epstein is the Vice-President and Chair of Neurosurgery of the ICS-US Section. In addition to her numerous global and local healthcare leadership roles, she was recently inducted as the President of Boulder County Medical Society on October 20, 2012 and will serve a one year term.

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Clara Raquel Epstein, MD, FICS Receives an Honorary Recognition from the AANS for her Leadership Role as the Chair of Neurosurgery for the International College of Surgeons, US Section