A neurosurgeon and pioneer in using focused ultrasound for psychological disorders, Jin-woo Chang, MD, PhD, will serve as the Honorary President of the 5th International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound, to be held August 28-September 1, 2016, in Bethesda, Maryland.
“I am looking forward to not only sharing new data in using focused ultrasound to treat the brain, but also a range of cancers and other diseases,” said Dr. Chang. “As more mechanisms are pursued and understood, the field is growing well beyond ablation to some exciting frontiers of medicine, including immunotherapy and breaking through the blood-brain barrier. The Symposium is a valuable forum for all members of the community to stay current on developments and share ideas.”
A movement disorders specialist, Dr. Chang performed the world’s first focused ultrasound pallidotomy in a patient with Parkinson’s dyskinesia. In addition, he is breaking new ground by conducting the world’s first clinical trials using focused ultrasound to treat psychiatric disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression. Chang trained in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery at Yonsei University Health System (YUHS) in Seoul and was honored to have been named President of the Korean Neurosurgical Society for 2016-2018. He has served as a secretary of the World Society for Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery since 2013.
“We are excited to have such a courageous clinician serving as our Honorary President,” says Foundation chairman Neal F. Kassell, MD. “Dr. Chang has been a leader in pursuing new applications for the technology. He is the type of physician who is constantly searching for better outcomes for his patients and has the ability to single handedly bridge the gap between science and patient care, showing us all a model for quickly and efficiently getting the technology to the patients who need it.”
Dr. Chang’s interest in focused ultrasound began in 2010 when he started using minimally invasive surgical procedures for brain disorders as a neurosurgery resident. He has treated more than 40 patients with focused ultrasound, mostly those with essential tremor. Chang has also been a valued member of the Foundation’s movement disorders steering committee, advising on the design of clinical trials. Learn more in his recent Investigator Profile.
Plan to attend our Symposium — the world’s leading forum for sharing the la translational and clinical advances in focused ultrasound. Targeted to scientists, clinicians, and other stakeholders, the meeting offers a multifaceted exploration of this emerging field and features plenary sessions, panel discussions, poster presentations, and technical exhibits. Symposium topics include musculoskeletal, neurological, oncological, women’s health, and emerging applications.
Read Dr. Chang’s welcome and more on the Symposium website.