Dr. Anil Nanda was elected as a director of the American Board of Neurological Surgery in May 2013. ABNS consists of 14 directors selected from practicing neurosurgeons certified by the board. Each director serves for a six-year term.

This is considered one of the highest honors as a neurosurgeon.

The broad aim of the ABNS is to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the science of neurological surgery, and thereby serve the cause of public health. The ABNS conducts the board examination for all neurosurgeons in the United States twice a year.

The American Board of Neurological Surgery was approved as a new examining board in medical specialties in 1940 by action of the Advisory Board for Medical Specialties [reorganized in 1970 as the American Board of Medical Specialties] in collaboration with the AMA Council on Medical Education.