Dear Colleagues,
it is our great pleasure to invite you to participate in the Fourth International Symposium on New Horizons in Pediatric Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Neurofibromatosis, to be held in Eilat, March 15-19, 2009.

The Symposium is in memory of Fred J. Epstein, M.D., the founding director of the Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery (INN) at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Fred Epstein’s groundbreaking surgical techniques, and his commitment to humane patient care, earned him a reputation as the world’s leading pediatric neurosurgeon. Dr. Epstein developed a special bond with Israeli patients and neurosurgeons, and was the initiator and organizer of the first two symposia on New Horizons in Pediatric Neurology/Neurosurgery that took place in Israel in 1990 and 1998. In March 2005, the Third International Symposium on New Horizons in Pediatric Neurology/Neurosurgery was held in his honor.

Dr Fred Epstein passed away on July 9, 2006, and in accordance with his wishes for the creation of a joint forum to facilitate shared knowledge between pediatric neurosurgeons and neurologists, it was decided to hold the aforementioned Fourth Symposium in his memory.

We would like to honor his lifetime achievements and dedication to his patients, and pay tribute to his enormous contribution to Israeli Pediatric Neurology and Neurosurgery.

We are also honoring the retirement of Professor Shaul Harel through this meeting, as the Symposium will mark his international retirement.

Professor Shaul Harel, on the occasion of his retirement, will also be honored by this Symposium for his lifelong professional and international achievements.

This event presents a further update in the diagnoses and management of diseases of the nervous system in infants and children that may be treated surgically. Emphasis will be placed on joint, rather than parallel, sessions with both neurological and neurosurgical approaches. This gathering of professionals should be a unique opportunity for the dissemination of knowledge and experience. We hope that this meeting will bridge the gap in communication among various disciplines for the benefit of both the child and the entire family.

The Faculty assembled by the Organizing Committee comprises recognized leaders in their respective fields who will emphasize their personal experiences. Special attention will be given to controversial issues of common interest in patient management, new surgical-neuroradiological techniques, and oncological options. State-of-the-art review lectures will set the stage for active panel discussions and audience participation.

This symposium will also be an opportunity to introduce the newly-set “Gilbert Israeli & International Neurofibromatosis Center”. The IINFC has set a strong bond of collaboration with its sister Gilbert Washington Children’s Hospital Neurofibromatosis Center.

The Symposium will offer an opportunity to visit Israel, including Eilat, Israel’s favorite holiday resort, which offers an exciting atmosphere of sun and sea, forming the perfect backdrop to our Symposium.

We look forward to welcoming you in March 2009.

Sincerely,

The Organizing Committee
Co-chairpersons:
Shlomi Constantini, Israel
Shaul Harel, Israel

Members
Rick Abbott, USA
Susan Bressman, USA
Kathy Epstein, USA
Roger J. Packer, USA
Shlomo Shinnar, USA