Mojgan Hodaie,
WSSFN President
Dear Members and Colleagues,
It is my great honour to serve as the 18th President of the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN). I am truly grateful for the trust that has been placed in me and look forward to working with colleagues from around the world to advance our field over the next two years.
As I begin this role, I would first like to acknowledge all those who have shaped our specialty and our Society. We began as the International Society for Research in Stereoencephalotomy (1961–1973) and went on to become the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (1973–present). Over the past decades, our field has expanded considerably, extending neurosurgical care to conditions once considered beyond our surgical reach. Through the collective efforts of generations of surgeons and scientists, we have developed new therapeutic approaches and gained a deeper understanding of the diverse disorders we treat. Many of you will recall the wonderful historical exhibition at our recent Congress in Marseille, commissioned by our immediate past President, Professor Jean Régis.
Toronto has played an important role in the history of our Society. The pioneering work of Professor Ronald Tasker in functional neuroanatomy and neurophysiology helped lay some of the key foundations of modern functional neurosurgery. His contributions were followed by those of Professor Andres Lozano, whose work in deep brain stimulation and focused ultrasound has further expanded the boundaries of our field.
Both Professor Tasker and Professor Lozano served as Presidents of WSSFN, and Toronto had the privilege of hosting the WSSFN Congresses in 1985 and 2009. It is therefore a particular honour for me to follow in their footsteps as we prepare to welcome the international functional neurosurgery community back to Toronto in October 2028, under the theme: “Celebrating Our Legacy, Shaping the Future.”
Our theme reflects the scientific achievements that have shaped our field and our commitment to advancing the next generation of discoveries, technologies, and treatments.
I am pleased to announce that Professor Volker Coenen, from Freiburg, Germany, has agreed to chair the Scientific Committee for WSSFN 2028. We will be establishing the committee membership in the coming weeks as we begin developing the scientific program.
Beyond the 2028 Congress, one of my principal objectives is to continue strengthening academic stereotactic and functional neurosurgery worldwide. Our Society brings together considerable expertise across a range of disciplines, including movement disorders, epilepsy, pain, psychiatric neurosurgery, spasticity, and restorative neurosurgery. We will continue to foster research collaborations, expand educational opportunities, support regional academic initiatives, and create meaningful opportunities for residents, fellows, and emerging leaders. Our future will be shaped by advances in science and technology, and by our ability to share knowledge and collaborate across different regions and geographies of the world.
At a time of considerable political and social unrest around the world, our Society brings together colleagues across national and cultural boundaries, united by a common purpose: to improve patient care, advance our understanding of the human brain, and share scientific knowledge. It is a privilege to be part of an international community dedicated to these shared goals.
It is my pleasure to introduce the new slate of WSSFN officers: Jean Régis (Past-President), Paresh Doshi (Vice-President), Patric Blomstedt (Secretary), Sameer Sheth (Treasurer), and Fabian Piedimonte (Vice-Secretary). A special thanks to our outgoing Past-President, Konstantin Slavin. The full WSSFN Board membership (2026-2028) and committees are detailed on our website.
Please contact me with your thoughts and ideas on how we can continue to advance the work of our Society.
Warm regards,
Mojgan Hodaie,
WSSFN President