Dr. Stephen Ondra, member of the AASP and a member of the AASP Academy Council, served as President of the Illinois Neurosurgical Society. He guided the organization through a period of growth and he has been a voice for patient advocacy. Under his leadership, the Society became more effective in many areas, including defining and dealing with the socioeconomic challenges facing neurosurgeons and their patients. Dr. Ondra is the head of the Spine Center at Northwestern University.