FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON March 24, 2006
AAN Bestows Lawrence C. McHenry Award to Historical Researcher
St. Paul, Minn., -
Peter J. Koehler, MD, PhD, FAAN, of Atrium Medical Centre in Heerlen, the Netherlands, will be honored with the Lawrence C. McHenry Award for his research into historical neurology. Koehler will receive the award during the American Academy of Neurology’s 58th Annual Meeting in San Diego, held April 1 – 8. The Lawrence C. McHenry Award recognizes excellence in research into the history of neurology. Koehler studied the history of the largest neurological handbook, Vinken & Bruyn’s Handbook of Clinical Neurology (HCN, 78 volumes, 1968–2002), set against the background of its two most important predecessors (Lewandowsky’s Handbuch der Neurologie, vols 1-6; 1911-4 and Bumke and Foerster’s Handbuch der Neurologie vols. 1-17; 1935-7). “Historical study provides an important background for the practice of medicine in general, but at an elevated level,” Koehler said. “For instance, progress in medicine can be put in historical perspective. Moreover, knowledge of medical history may result in better understanding of the patient’s history.” The Lawrence C. McHenry Award is sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology. The 58th Annual Meeting takes place in the San Diego Convention Center. It is the world’s largest annual gathering of neurologists.