Navigate
In Memorium: Dr. Jack Kartush
Honoring the Legacy of ASNM’s Founding President, Dr. Jack Kartush
Dr. Kartush was internationally recognized as a leader in intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring. His innovations—most notably the Facial Nerve Integrity Monitor (NIM) and the Kartush Stimulating Dissector—transformed how surgeons protect delicate cranial nerves during surgery. As the founding president of the American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring (ASNM), he helped establish foundational safety and quality standards for the field. He also helped launch Michigan Ear Institute’s facial nerve monitoring program, neurotology fellowship, and temporal bone laboratory, ensuring his commitment to surgical excellence would influence generations of physicians.
"Nothing is without a battle"
Dr. Jack Kartush 
As the Founding President of ASNM
Dr. Jack Kartush cared deeply about keeping patients safe. To achieve this, his mission was clear – bring people together, promote dialogue, develop standards with patient safety at the forefront, collaborate for best outcomes, and teach others. This led to the assembly of surgeons, doctors, and neurophysiologist uniting under one society that would later become the ASNM: The Society of Evoked Potential Monitoring. Formed in 1989, they held their first meeting in Michigan in 1990 with Dr. Kartush as President.
As a Clinician
Dr. Kartush was a brilliant, resilient physician, constantly looking for ways to improve patient care. He strived for this, even if others did not see eye-to-eye with him. When he advocated to electrophysiological monitoring of the facial nerve to reduce facial paralysis in CPA tumor cases, he was written off as a “gimmick”…..now such monitoring is standard of care. He believed in this so strongly he started his own practice – Michigan Ear Institute – and soon had more volume and monitoring that nearby major academic centers. He strived for the development of industry standards incorporating facial and other nerve monitoring, medical error reduction, and intersocietal relations.
As an Inventor
An inventor from a young age, Dr. Kartush applied for his first patent at the young age of 8!
His first inventions may not have been related to medicine; however, since joining the field his contributions have been numerous and far reaching, including:
- Ossicular Strut Prosthesis
- Matrix Stapes Piston
- SteadyCrimp Stapes Forceps
- Over-Under Tympanoplasty
- Austin-Kartush OCR Classification System
- Tympanic Membrane Patcher
As an Author
A prolific contributor to the medical literature with over 200 publications to his name since 1983, Dr Kartush has contributed to several fields, including:
- Otology,
- Neurotology,
- Skull Base Surgery.
One of his earliest publications related to nerve monitoring was published in 1985.
ASNM members may know him best from his 2021 manuscript on Best Practices in Facial Nerve Monitoring.
As a Neuromonitoring Pioneer
Being a surgeon allowed Dr. Kartush unique insights into how to best utilize electrophysiologic signals to help protect surgical patients under general anesthesia. And he put these insights and innovations to excellent use in the world of neuromonitoring as we know it today! His contributions to IONM include:
- Novel stimulating dissector instruments
- Laryngeal electrodes
- Stimulating probes
- NIM Facial Nerve Integrity Monitors
- Authoring texts on neuromonitoring for safer surgeries
As a Musician
Growing up, Dr. Kartush never envisioned doing medicine…he wanted to be a rock star!
He was proficient at guitar and several other instruments.
His contributions include a major news network theme song, car commercials, and the University of Michigan fight song.
As a Family Man
Dr. Kartush is survived by his wife of 41 years Christine Kartush (nee Ostrowski), daughters Alison Kartush, MD (Varun Shetty, MD) and Julia Kartush (Jon Brock), grandchildren Otto, Noa, Rory and Aria, his brother Martin Kartush, DDS and family, many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and a grateful professional community.
Quick Links
Contact Us
Let us know if you have any questions or need assistance. We’d be happy to help.
PO Box 1488
Warrenville, IL 60555
Phone: (331) 248.1699
Email: asnm@affinity-strategies.com