Northwell’s Feinstein Institutes’ Dr. Kevin J. Tracey Honored With AANS Cushing Award for Technical Excellence and Innovation in Neurosurgery

Dr. Tracey was recognized for pioneering the emerging field of bioelectronic medicine and neuro-immune research

MANHASSET, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) has named Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president and CEO of Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, as the 2026 recipient of its esteemed Cushing Award for Technical Excellence and Innovation in Neurosurgery. This top honor recognizes Dr. Tracey’s unparalleled contributions, including 120 U.S. patents and 400 scientific publications, which reshaped the understanding of neuro-immune communication and created the emerging field of bioelectronic medicine.

The Cushing Award is given to individuals who demonstrate exceptional technical prowess, skill and innovation in developing new procedures or paradigms that significantly advance neurosurgery, according to AANS. Dr. Tracey’s scientific work brought together the fields of neuroscience, immunology and new technology to transform neurosurgical therapies and deliver better patient care, embodying the technical advances the Cushing Award celebrates.

“It is an honor to receive the AANS Cushing Award, an accolade that recognizes the critical intersection of scientific innovation and clinical impact in neurosurgery,” said Dr. Tracey, author of the book The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness Its Healing Reflexes. “This distinction is a testament to the collaborative spirit and relentless pursuit of knowledge by the teams at the Feinstein Institutes and beyond who are driven by the commitment to develop novel therapies and improve human health.”

Dr. Tracey’s groundbreaking work, particularly his discovery of the inflammatory reflex and pioneering efforts in vagus nerve research, has provided a new framework for understanding how the nervous system controls immune responses. This research led to the development of bioelectronic medicine, a field that utilizes neuroimmunology and technology to treat disease, placing him among the most cited scientists in the world. His translational research also led to the development of the first Food and Drug Administration-approved vagus nerve stimulation device to treat rheumatoid arthritis, from SetPoint Medical. After the device was approved in July 2025, Northwell was the first health system to implant the device in August.

Founded in 1931, the AANS is a leading scientific and educational organization representing over 12,000 neurosurgeons worldwide. Dedicated to advancing the field of neurosurgery, the AANS fosters innovation through rigorous education, groundbreaking research, advocacy and the pursuit of excellence in patient care. Guided by core values of integrity, leadership, inclusiveness, professionalism and innovation, the AANS remains committed to shaping the future of neurosurgery and improving patient outcomes globally.

The Cushing Award was formally presented to Dr. Tracey during the AANS 2026 Annual Meeting May 1-4 in San Antonio, TX. This latest recognition follows a distinguished year for Dr. Tracey, who was also elected to the National Academy of Inventors’ 2025 Class of Fellows, the 2025 class of Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors, and the 2025 election into The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. These follow his 2023 Hans Wigzell Research Foundation’s Science Prize.

About the Feinstein Institutes
The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research is the home of the research institutes of Northwell Health, the largest health care provider and private employer in New York State. Encompassing 50+ research labs, 3,000 clinical research studies and 5,000 researchers and staff, the Feinstein Institutes raises the standard of medical innovation through its six institutes of behavioral science, bioelectronic medicine, cancer, health system science, molecular medicine, and translational research. We are the global scientific leader in bioelectronic medicine – an innovative field of science that has the potential to revolutionize medicine. The Feinstein Institutes publishes two open-access, international peer-reviewed journals Molecular Medicine and Bioelectronic Medicine. Through the Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, we offer an accelerated PhD program. For more information about how we produce knowledge to cure disease, visit http://feinstein.northwell.edu and follow us on LinkedIn.