GNS President Jay McCracken and Annual Meeting Chair Brian Howard offer lifetime GNS membership to Honored Guest Mark Hadley.
Mark N. Hadley, M.D., FAANS, Charles A. and Patsy W. Collat Endowed Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was the honored guest of the Georgia Neurosurgical Society at their 2025 spring meeting, held May 24-25 at The Cloisters in Sea Island, Georgia.
As the honored guest, Hadley delivered a lecture titled “Acceleration” on Saturday, May 24. His presentation reflected on the rapid advancements in neurosurgery that have transformed diagnostic and surgical capabilities. He emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and adapting to emerging science and technologies to improve patient outcomes.
Drawing from his own journey and experiences, Hadley shared personal stories about his upbringing, family life, education, service as a neurosurgeon in the United States Air Force and his 34-year career at UAB. He encouraged attendees to find meaning and fulfillment in their careers while maintaining a healthy balance between personal well-being and professional responsibility.
During his remarks, he stressed the importance of prioritizing good physical and mental health, sufficient sleep and exercise. He suggested new practitioners work hard, contribute and not be quickly influenced by new offers and opportunities. According to Hadley, while new offers seem to have greener grass and beautiful opportunity, one needs to thoughtfully analyze their current situation. "The grass isn't often greener at the new opportunity, than the grass under their own feet," Hadley remarked.
Following his keynote address, Hadley participated in a question-and-answer session and later led the Spine Complications Session on Sunday, May 25. His lecture for this session was titled "Complication Avoidance in Spinal Neurosurgery, Attention to Details."
A long-recognized and respected leader in spinal neurosurgery, Hadley has made significant contributions to the field through his research, clinical practice, national leadership and dedication to evidence-based surgical practice. His work has helped shape modern treatment strategies and improve outcomes for patients with spinal disorders.
In addition to his clinical responsibilities and role in medical education, Hadley holds a dual appointment as a professor in the UAB Collat School of Business, where he has developed and teaches innovative courses for both undergraduate and graduate students. He is one of the few UAB faculty members appointed to two different academic schools on the same campus. Over time, these educational efforts led to his award of university professor at UAB, a distinction confirmed by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees in 2023.
Through his mentorship and leadership in national neurosurgical societies, Hadley continues to influence the evolution of the specialty and inspire future generations of neurosurgeons.
Mark Hadley with GNS leaders Jay McCracken, Brian Howard and Daniel Barrow