The Takanori Fukushima Technical Excellence in Neurosurgery Lecture supports advancements and innovative microsurgical techniques within the field of neurosurgery since 2019. The lectureship was established by UConn Health’s Chief of Neurosurgery Dr. Ketan Bulsara, with support from American Surgical Company®, to honor one of his mentors, a pioneering and generational neurosurgeon, Dr. Takanori Fukushima.

The lectureship was established in 2019, with Fukushima being the inaugural and namesake lecturer.  Fukushima subsequently helped pick the past and present speakers.  Unfortunately, he passed away earlier this year.  This lectureship will continue to celebrate his incredible pioneering legacy through the list of future speakers he left behind.

Previous speakers have included: Dr. Allan Friedman (2020), Dr. Jacques Morcos (2021), Dr. William T. Couldwell (2022), Dr. Steven Giannotta (2023), and Dr. Michael T. Lawton (2024), as the most recent honored guest.

Lawton’s lecture on September 11 was titled “Seven Cavernomas: A New Framework.” For more details about his presentation, visit: Symposia and Lectures | Neurosurgery (uconn.edu).

In addition to that, Lawton shared interesting insights regarding the progress of human brain machine interface through his collaborations with Elon Musk. Lawton is the president and CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute, Robert F. Spetzler Endowed Chair for Neurosciences, and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery.

The Takanori Fukushima Lecture series is consistent with one of the fundamental missions of UConn’s academic medical center, striving to improve the status quo for all our patients through education and providing care second to none.

Erik Piasio, American Surgical’s President shares, “Dr. Fukushima was renowned for his unparalleled skill and compassionate care, inspiring countless colleagues and advancing the science of neurosurgery through his innovative techniques and global workshops. As we come together to share knowledge, we pay tribute to his remarkable legacy and remain committed to furthering his vision of excellence in patient care and surgical precision.”

UConn Health and its Neurosurgery team are thankful to the staff, faculty, featured guests, and sponsor, American Surgical, for making these lectures a possibility and success.