15th Annual MINS Conference: March 12-14, 2026 — Costa Rica
REGISTER NOW – 15TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
March 12–14, 2026
Los Sueños, Marriott Resort, Costa Rica
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“Mastering Minimally Invasive Surgery: Operative Nuances”
REGISTRATION
General Registration: Click Here to Register Now!
Physician/Doctor tickets to the 2026 Conference are now available. Register today!
***Refunds on tickets are accepted up to 14 days before the event, so we can determine an accurate food cost for the conference. Unfortunately, any refunds requested later than 14 days before the event will not be accepted by MINS.
Exhibitors/Sponsors: Click Here to Register Your Sponsorship!
Exhibitor/Sponsor Opportunities are Now Available for the 2026 Conference.
***Refunds on tickets are accepted up to 14 days before the event, so we can determine an accurate food cost for the conference. Unfortunately, any refunds requested later than 14 days before the event will not be accepted by MINS.
RESORT RESERVATIONS
Click Here to Book Your Group Rate by March 9, 2026
$329.00 USD/Night not including fees. This is valid 3 days prior to and after our conference.
For any issues with room rates, **contact the Los Sueños Marriott Resort directly** at MHRSLosSuenosReservations@marriott.com and let us know if you have any issues, along with the hotel reservation codes, so MINS can correct it.
LOS SUEÑOS MARRIOTT RESORT
Herradura, Costa Rica 028-4023
Additional Contact Information
Direct reservations number: 2298-0880.
• WhatsApp (messages only): 7051-0292
• Available emails:
For any sponsorship or other related questions, please contact Jennifer Harris at harrisjen10@yahoo.com.
COURSE DIRECTORS:
Neel Anand, MD; Arthur Jenkins III, MD; Karam Asmaro, MD; Mick Perez-Cruet, MD, FAANS; and Daniel Fahim, MD.
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 Arthur Jenkins III, MD Neurosurgeon New York, New York |
 Karam Asmaro, MD Neurosurgeon Royal Oak, Michigan |
 Mick Perez-Cruet, MD, FAANS MINS President Royal Oak, Michigan |
 Daniel Fahim, MD Neurosurgeon Royal Oak, Michigan |
2026 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT:
Luiz Pimenta, MD, PhD
Luiz Pimenta, born in 1947, completed his education in his homeland, Brazil. He graduated in Medicine from the Medical School of the University of São Paulo in 1971. He started his residency in Neurosurgery in 1972 at the Paulista Medical School, currently Federal University of São Paulo. During residency, Dr. Luiz Pimenta participated in various research projects in Neurosurgery. He finished his residency in 1977 and completed his PhD in Neurosurgery at the same university.
In 1997, Dr. Luiz Pimenta received training in Spinal Endoscopic Surgery in Gainesville, Florida and in 1998 completed a fellowship with Dr. Daniel Rosenthal in Frankfurt, Germany. Since then, Dr. Pimenta has been developing new techniques and technologies to improve the surgical treatment of different spinal pathologies. His primary interests are in minimally invasive and motion preservation spine surgery. He participates in various research and development projects in this area.
Dr. Pimenta is considered the father of the lateral or XLIF approach to the spine. Dr. Pimenta introduced this approach to spine surgery to help preserve the normal anatomical structures of the spine while performing spinal fusion and instrumentation. The approach has been adapted for spinal arthroplasty. He has evolved the procedure to include the prone-transpsoas approach.
MINS is pleased to honor Dr. Luiz Pimenta with its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.
2026 MINS MEETING AGENDA
Minimally Invasive Neurosurgical Society 15th Annual Meeting
Los Sueños, Marriott Resort, Costa Rica
March 12–14, 2026
Mastering Minimally Invasive Surgery: Operative Nuances
Thursday, March 12
4:00 – 5:00pm Exhibitor Set-Up
5:00 – 6:00pm Signature Cocktail Hour with Exhibitors
6:00pm Welcome Address – Mick Perez-Cruet, MD, FAANS
MINS 5th Annual Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: Luiz Pimenta, MD, PhD
6:15 – 6:45pm Keynote address: Luiz Pimenta, MD, PhD – Evolution of the Lateral Approach
MINS Lifetime Achievement Award to Luiz Pimenta, MD, PhD (presented by Mick Perez-Cruet, MD, FAANS)
Blue Marlin Session
Moderator: Mick Perez-Cruet, MD, FAANS
6:45 – 7:15pm Richard G. Fessler, MD, PhD – Mastering MIS Patients and Patience
7:15 – 7:45pm Tze Yui Yeh, MD – Challenges of Setting Up a Minimally Invasive Practice in Developing Countries
7:45 – 8:15pm Karam Asmaro, MD – Mastering MIS Cranial Surgery
8:15 – 8:45pm Mick Perez-Cruet, MD, FAANS – Fundamental in Mastering MIS TLIF
Friday, March 13
7:00 – 8:00am Breakfast with Exhibitors
Scarlet Macaw Session
Moderator: Arthur Jenkins, MD – What Is Misunderstood Brain/Spine Disorders (“Wrogma”)
8:00 – 8:30am Arthur Jenkins, MD – Cranial Spinal Hypermobility
8:30 – 9:00am Aaron Rapp, MD – Minimally Invasive Expandable Interbody Technique and Technology
9:00 – 9:30am David Fessler, MD, PhD – Starting a Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Practice
9:30 – 10:00am William Tobler, MD – Managing a Successful Non-Profit: The Winter Clinic’s Story
10:00–10:30am Arthur Jenkins, MD – Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
10:30 – 11:00am Keynote Address: Elad Levy, MD – Establishing an Endovascular Ambulatory Surgery Center of Excellence
Blue Marlin Exhibitor Sponsored Talk
11:00 – 11:30am Neel Anand, MD – Medtronic: Redefining MIS Reduction: Robotic Navigation and Purpose-Built Screw Systems
11:30am till 4:00pm Pura Vida (Free Time)
4:00 – 5:00pm Signature Cocktails with Exhibitors
Sponsored Talks
5:00 – 5:15pm Jared Diegmueller – ISTO biologics: ProteiOS
5:15 – 5:30pm Ken Wittenberg Investments – How to Retire Comfortably
Poison Dart Frog Session
Moderator: Mick Perez-Cruet, MD, FAANS
5:00 – 6:00pm (Panel Discussion): Transitioning from Open to Minimally Invasive Procedures
Panel Specialists: Richard G. Fessler, MD, PhD; Aaron Rapp, MD; Karam Asmaro, MD; Neel Anand, MD;
6:30 – 7:00pm Keynote Address: Pedro Montero – Assistant Director, The Sloth Institute, Costa Rica: Wildlife of Costa Rica
Three Toed Sloth Session
Moderator: Mick Perez-Cruet, MD, FAANS
7:00 – 7:30pm Neel Anand, MD – Operative Nuances to Mastering MIS Scoliosis Surgery
7:30 – 8:00pm Daniel Fahim, MD – Operative Nuances to OLIF Approach
8:00 – 8:30pm Jason Cuellar, MD – Fusion is Archaic: Multilevel Lumbar Arthroplasty Should be the Future
8:30 – 9:00pm Jose Jimenez, MD – Kambin Approach to Lateral IB Fusion
9:00 – 9:30pm Mick Perez-Cruet, MD, FAANS – Operative Nuances to Mastering MIS Laminectomy
Saturday, March 14
7:00 – 8:00am Breakfast with Exhibitors
Toucan Session
Moderator: Aaron Rapp, MD
8:00 – 8:20am Daniel Fahim, MD – Operative Nuances to Posterior Cervical Stabilization System
8:20 – 8:40am Hassan Fadel, MD – Laser Treatment of Malignant Gliomas
8:40 – 9:00am Centinel Spine Prodisc C Vivo – Two Level Cervical Arthroplasty
9:00 – 9:20am Rich Spina – XStim
9:20 – 9:40am DePuy Synthes
9:40 – 10:00am Thomas Melin, MD – Hensler Surgical Products: A Cost Effective Bone Graft Harvester
10:00- 10:20am Christopher Johnson – The Diversified Life: Strategies for Curating a Global Family Legacy
Noon – Meeting Adjourned
Agenda: Subject to change
SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT REQUEST – Link Below!
If you would like the opportunity to present a talk at the upcoming 2026 MINS Conference in Costa Rica, please click the link below to submit an abstract request.
MINS will review all submissions and the selected abstract will be invited to present their talk at the conference during March 12–14, 2026. We will contact you by your provided email address if your abstract is selected.
Click Here to Submit an Abstract Request
2025 EXHIBITOR/SPONSOR INFORMATION
Sponsorship Levels
PRIMARY EXHIBITORSHIPS:
(also include their own display table and)
**Click on each sponsorship level to register.
7) Sailfish Dinner ($10,000)
2 guests for Dinner. Also includes 10 minute talk at dinner.
*Airfare and hotel bookings are the financial responsibility of the Sponsors and done directly with airlines and with Los Sueños Marriott Resort.
For any sponsorship or other related questions, please contact Jennifer Harris at harrisjen10@yahoo.com.
SHIPPING INFORMATION
For shipping, please make sure to get tracking information and ship via the address below for the different providers:
800 meters west of Herradura entrace, Jacó / Los sueños Marriott resort.
You can choose the shipping company you prefer, whether it’s FedEx, DHL, etc.
LOS SUEÑOS MARRIOTT RESORT
Herradura, Costa Rica 028-4023
Do you know how big are the items you’ll be shipping? And / or how many items will be shipped? Once you get here, you will ask front desk for the items, and they will give it to you.
Our Sponsors
Below is a list of our sponsors for this year's event. Thank you to all of our exhibitors and sponsors for the 15th Annual MINS Conference.
– Primary Exhibitors –
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Medtronic
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Wittenberg Investments, Inc.
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Centinel Spine
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DePuy Synthes
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Xstim
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Isto Biologics
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Providence Medical Technology
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Highridge Medical
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– Other Exhibitors/Sponsors –
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Hensler Surgical Products
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Isto Biologics
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Kuros Biosciences
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Veritas Principles, LLC
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Location Information:
LOS SUEÑOS MARRIOTT RESORT
Herradura, Costa Rica 028-4023
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sjols-los-suenos-marriott-ocean-and-golf-resort/overview/
RESORT RESERVATIONS
Click Here to Book Your Group Rate by March 9, 2026
$329.00 USD/Night not including fees. This is valid 3 days prior to and after our conference.
For any issues with room rates, **contact the Los Sueños Marriott Resort directly** at MHRSLosSuenosReservations@marriott.com and let us know if you have any issues, along with the hotel reservation codes, so MINS can correct it.
Additional Contact Information
Direct reservations number: 2298-0880.
• WhatsApp (messages only): 7051-0292
• Available emails:
For any related questions, please contact Jennifer Harris at harrisjen10@yahoo.com.
Meeting Information:
Additional Housing Options:
Condo-style accommodations are also available on the Los Sueños Resort & Marina property through Stay in Costa Rica (https://www.stayincostarica.com) and via Airbnb (https://www.airbnb.com/los-suenos-resort-and-marina-playa-herradura-costa-rica/stays). These on-property options are within walking distance of the meeting venue and are especially well suited for families, offering additional space and full kitchen amenities.
Travel Information
Arrival & Best Travel Route
The easiest way to get to Los Sueños Resort & Marina is to fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica. From there, most guests rent a car and drive to the resort (approximately 2 hour drive).
Google Maps Directions:
Route from San José Airport (SJO) to Los Sueños Resort & Marina:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Juan+Santamar%C3%ADa+International+Airport+(SJO)/Los+Sue%C3%B1os+Resort+&+Marina,+Playa+Herradura,+Costa+Ricahttps://www.google.com/maps/dir/Juan+Santamar%C3%ADa+International+Airport+(SJO)/Los+Sue%C3%B1os+Resort+&+Marina,+Playa+Herradura,+Costa+Rica
Rental Car Options
For flexibility during your stay, renting a car at the San José airport is recommended.
- Alamo Rent a Car – San José Airport
https://www.alamo.com/en-us/car-rental/locations/cr/san-jose-juan-santamaria-intl-arpt.html
Other major rental car companies are also available at the airport.
Shuttle & Transportation
If you prefer not to rent a car, private shuttle services are available from San José Airport to Los Sueños Resort and can be arranged directly through the resort.
Los Sueños Resort & Marina Contact Information:
📞 +506-2630-4000 | Toll-Free (US): 1-866-865-9759
📧 info@lossuenos.com
🌐 https://lossuenos.com
Activities Around Los Sueños
There are many wonderful activities to enjoy during your stay, including:
- Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park (ziplining, ATV tours, horseback riding)
https://www.vistalossuenosadventurepark.com - Maverick Fishing Charters
https://www.mavericksportfish.com - Los Sueños Spa
https://lossuenos.com/spa - La Iguana Golf Course at Los Sueños
https://www.golflaiguana.com - Carara National Park
https://www.sinac.go.cr - Rainmaker Conservation Park
https://rainmakercostarica.com - Manuel Antonio National Park
https://www.sinac.go.cr
Additional Details
- Dress Code: Casual and comfortable — Pura Vida style
- Families: Families are warmly welcomed. Please let us know the number of guests attending the group dinners so we can plan accordingly.
If you have any questions or need assistance with travel, accommodations, or transportation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are truly looking forward to welcoming you to Costa Rica for the 15th Annual MINS meeting.
For any related questions, please contact Jennifer Harris at harrisjen10@yahoo.com.