These From Drop to Ocean presentations were recorded live during the opening and plenary sessions at the 2025 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting.

As part of the AANS 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting, themed “Power of One, Impact of Many,” we are proud to introduce a special Plenary Session series titled “From Drop to Ocean.” These seven talks—delivered by some of the most visionary minds in neurosurgery—will illustrate how a single innovation can spark a cascade of advancements, ultimately transforming the entire field.

Each speaker will highlight a distinct neurosurgical subspecialty and present a curated chain of 12 linked discoveries or innovations. These steps will demonstrate how progress unfolds incrementally—one idea inspiring another—culminating in the state-of-the-art techniques and knowledge we rely on today. The talks will conclude with a forward-looking perspective, imagining the next frontier in each subspecialty.

Rooted in the AANS 2025 visual and thematic concept of the “Ripple Effect”, these talks symbolize how one drop can lead to waves of change—and eventually form an ocean of progress.

Featured Presentations

From Drop to Ocean: Neurotrauma - David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD, FAANS

From Drop to Ocean: Pediatrics  - Gerald A. Grant, MD, FAANS

From Drop to Ocean: Skull Base - William T. Couldwell, MD, PhD, FAANS

From Drop to Ocean: Neurooncology - Linda M. Liau, MD, PhD, MBA, FAANS

From Drop to Ocean: Cerebrovascular - Bernard R. Bendok, MD, FAANS

From Drop to Ocean: Spine & Peripheral Nerves - Regis W. Haid, Jr., MD, FAANS

From Drop to Ocean: Stereotactic & Functional/Pain - Andre G. Machado, MD, PhD

The AANS is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The AANS designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The last date to claim credit is 06/30/2028.

As a provider accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the AANS must ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its sponsored educational activities. In accordance with the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Education, the AANS is required to disclose to the activity audience the relevant financial relationships of the planners, faculty and any other individual in a position to control content of this activity.

Those who have disclosed a relationship with ineligible companies are listed below.

All disclosed financial relationships have been mitigated in accordance with ACCME standards.

Name	Relationship/Company
David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD, FAANS	Highridge: Royalty Recipient (Ongoing); NuVasive: Consultant (Ongoing), Royalty Recipient (Ongoing)
Gerald A. Grant, MD, FAANS	Aesculap: Speaker/Honoraria (Terminated, December 1, 2024); Integra Life Sciences: Consultant (Ongoing); Medtronic Inc: Consultant (Ongoing)
William T. Couldwell, MD, PhD, FAANS	Bioplate, Inc: Royalty Recipient (Ongoing); INC: Consultant (Ongoing)
Linda M. Liau, MD, PhD, MBA, FAANS	ClearPoint Neuro, Inc.: Board Member/Officer/Trustee (Ongoing); Northwest Therapeutics: Board Member/Officer/Trustee (Ongoing)
Andre G. Machado, MD, PhD	Ceraxis: Ownership Interest (Ongoing)

Planners, faculty and any other individuals in control of content not listed have indicated that they have no relevant financial relationships or conflict of interest to disclose for this activity.