Sasha Howell, M.D., a neurological surgery resident in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery, received the Kuntz Scholar Award at the annual meeting of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerve.

The award, given in memory of Charles Kuntz IV, M.D., recognizes outstanding spinal disorders research by residents and fellows. The honor is presented to the top 40 highest-scoring abstracts authored and presented by trainees at the annual Spine Summit, supporting their travel and participation in the meeting.

Howell presented her research, “The Association of Neighborhood-level Socioeconomic Status and Rurality on Lumbar Deformity Outcomes,” during the Award-Winning Abstract Session on Feb. 22, 2025, in Tampa, Florida.

The AANS/CNS Spine Section brings together neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, fellows, residents and advanced practice providers dedicated to spinal disorders and spinal surgery. The section promotes scientific advancements, represents its members in national advocacy efforts and fosters collaboration among experts in the field.

“We are all super proud of Dr. Howell for her work and dedication,” said Associate Professor of Neurosurgery Jakub Godzik, M.D. MS. “This award is well-deserved and represents her commitment, not just to patient care, but also to focusing on the underserved communities of Alabama.”