Paul J. Camarata, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Kansas Medical Center, was elected president of the Neurosurgical Society of America (NSA).

Camarata, who will serve as president through June 2022, most recently served as treasurer of the professional organization.

“Over the years I have enjoyed being a part of this collegial society of neurosurgeons, and I am honored to have been chosen as this year’s president,” Camarata said. “I hope to continue to build upon the excellent leadership initiatives of the past few years and advance the specialty through scientific exchange at our annual meeting.”

The NSA is committed to the advancement of the specialty of neurological surgery in America. Its objectives include encouraging exchange of ideas and information among neurosurgeons, providing networking opportunities, mentoring early-career neurosurgeons, sponsoring international meetings and maintaining a membership of both academic and private practice professionals to promote balance in the teaching and practice of the specialty in the United States. 

A recognized national and international leader in the specialty, Camarata currently serves as a director with the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. He served 10 years on the executive committee of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons as well as the organization’s treasurer for three years. He has served on committees for a number of professional societies and is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences.

Camarata has been chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at KU Medical Center since 2010. He previously was co-director of the St. Luke’s Brain and Stroke Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. In addition, he served as neurosurgery faculty at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he was associate program director and director of the Cerebrovascular Laboratory.