August 27, 2009
The World Federation of Neurosurgical
Societies announced today that Peter
J. Jannetta, M.D., vice-chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at
Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), will be awarded its distinguished Medal
of Honor in recognition of his vast contributions to the advancement of
medicine.
The Medal of Honor will be presented to Dr.
Jannetta at the Federation’s annual meeting in
Considered one of the world’s preeminent
neurosurgical pioneers, Dr. Jannetta’s groundbreaking research into the
pathology and treatment of cranial nerve compression syndromes is widely
regarded as one of the most important modern day breakthroughs in the field of
neurological disease. Compression of cranial nerves can lead to debilitating
illnesses that affect sensation and motor function of the tongue, eyes and
facial muscles.
The most prominent cranial nerve compression
syndrome is called trigeminal neuralgia (TN), a condition of chronic, often
incapacitating facial pain. After identifying the cause of TN as compression of
the fifth cranial nerve – the trigeminal nerve – by surrounding blood vessels,
Dr. Jannetta developed a microvascular decompression procedure that has become
the standard of surgical care worldwide.
The author of more than 400 scientific
articles, abstracts and book chapters, Dr. Jannetta has earned several of his
field’s most prestigious awards.
In 1983, he became one of the first
neurosurgeons in the world to receive the Olivecrona Award, named after one of
the fathers of modern neurosurgery. Presented by the Karolinska Institute in
Sweden, home of the Nobel Prize Foundation, the award has been presented to
just 18 neurosurgeons in its 29-year history.
In 2000, he was awarded the Fedor Krause Medal
by the German Neurosurgical Society. Considered a top honor in the field, the
medal is bestowed to physicians who have made significant contributions to
medicine. Two years later, he received the Dr. Fritz Erler Award by Friedrich
Alexander University and in 2006, he was awarded the Zulch Prize for medical
research by the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science.
Over the past 30 years, more than 150
neurosurgeons have received their training under Dr. Jannetta, including many
who have gone on to become national and international leaders in the field.
“Dr. Jannetta’s credentials are impeccable.
His remarkable career as a surgeon, teacher and humanitarian have left an
indelible mark on all those who have had the opportunity to work with and learn
from him. Most importantly, his brilliance in the operating room and in the
laboratory has had a profound impact on the lives of so many people who have
benefited from the healing touch of his pioneering work. We are deeply honored
to bestow this Medal to Dr. Jannetta for all of his wonderful accomplishments
and for the significant contributions that he continues to make,” said Edward
R. Laws, M.D., FACS, chair of the Medal of Honor Committee for the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies and
Director of the NeuroEndocrine/Pituitary Center at Brigham and Women’s
Hospital.
Dr. Jannetta’s ongoing scientific pursuits
include research into the role of vascular compression in essential
hypertension – the most common form of high blood pressure – various other
cardiac abnormalities and certain blood chemical disturbances.
“I am extremely honored to accept this award
from such a respected scientific organization. What this recognition truly
means is that my work has had a positive impact on the lives of people.
Everything that I have accomplished in medicine I owe to the patients who have
entrusted me with their well-being. They are the true pioneers in this story.
That is what humbles me and what continues to inspire my dedication and drive
to break additional clinical boundaries,” Dr. Jannetta said.