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On October 18, a crisp and sunny Sunday, Team NREF-NeuROW conquered the 4,702-meter Head of the Charles Regatta course. There was a bit of high drama. None of us had ever rowed together, and at least one had not been in a boat since – shall we say – the last century. We pressed our youngest member – Duke resident Tara Dalton – into the stressful position of setting the rhythm as the stroke. Our team uniforms languished at the Canadian border until two days before the race. The cox box microphone died as we were entering the starting chute...and just after coxswain Nick Boulis’ stirring rendition of Bright College Years (the Yale alma mater) sung at the top of his lungs! But, like the neurosurgeons we are, we persevered. Nick strained his voice. We didn’t hit a bridge. No nitro paste was required. Tara performed like a metronome and the other seven of us followed – as one. We even attracted the attention of the Head of the Charles media team and were featured in an article on Row2K. Michelle Clarke and I had the opportunity to meet with a patient family – 9 red-headed siblings competing in our event in memory of their father who died of a glioblastoma in 2022. And we have managed to raise nearly $45,000 (so far) to support brain tumor research in memory of Andy Foy. Thank you to those who have already registered their support for our efforts. The response has been humbling. Although the race is now behind us and the blisters are nearly healed, it is not too late to support Team NeuROW's journey. Please consider a tax-deductible gift in honor of the distance in meters we have rowed ($47.02, $470.02, or the full ride – $4,702). Or give at any level meaningful to you. NeuROWsurgery Oar Bust will row again! With gratitude, P.B. Raksin on behalf of Aviva Abosch, Michelle Clarke, Tara Dalton, Dan Donoho, Adair Prall, Mark Proctor, Nate Selden, and Nick Boulis
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On October 18, 2026, nine neurosurgeons will trade the operating room for the Charles River as Team NREF makes its debut at the legendary Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR)—rowing 4,702 meters in support of brain tumor research.
What started as a “what if?” conversation among neurosurgeons who share a love of rowing has become NeuROWsurgery Oar Bust! After earning a coveted spot in the Directors’ Challenge co-ed charity division, Aviva Abosch, Michelle Clarke, Tara Dalton, Dan Donoho, Adair Prall, Mark Proctor, Patti Raksin, Nate Selden, and Nick Boulis (coxswain) will take on one of rowing’s most iconic courses.
Support Team NREF by sponsoring meters for brain tumor research. Make a $4,702 gift in honor of every meter the team will row—or choose another sponsorship level and help turn 4,702 meters on the Charles into meaningful progress for neurosurgical research.
Kaisorn Chaichana, MD
Benjamin Elder MD, Ph.D
Kai-Ming Fu, MD
Michael Kelly, MD
Mena Kerolus, MD
Stephan Munich, MD
Afshin Salehi, MD
Zachary Smith, MD
Khoi Than, MD
This periodical highlights the continued and important efforts of each committee operating at the forefront of neurosurgical oncology
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