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Dear ANA Members,
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and may every petal on the shamrock bring you joy and good luck! As we march through this month, we continue to honor the incredible women pioneers of medicine and the remarkable women making a difference in the world of neurology and neuroscience today. We invite you to read about the amazing pioneers like Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first American Indian woman in the United States to receive a medical degree. She and others are featured on the ANA website along with women of the ANA who have served, are serving, or will serve as President for the ANA. We celebrate all women everywhere especially during Women’s History Month. |
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Throughout the world, women are engaged in making a difference in academic neurology and neuroscience, and the Global Neurology Action Plan Workshop hosted on Friday, March 10, reminded me of the impact women are making worldwide. Dr. Melody Asukile of Zambia presented the framework of a Global Neurology Action Plan to ~100 participants in the virtual workshop who then split into smaller workgroups to strategize ways we might support academic neurology education and training in four pilot sub-Saharan African countries – Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia. |
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During our workshop last week, Dr. Asukile was joined by Dr. Kakooza of Uganda, Dr. Charway-Felli and Dr. Sarfo of Ghana, Dr. Okubadejo of Nigeria, and members of the Global Engagement Committee who facilitated discussion on ways in which the ANA can assist and uplift academic neurology in these countries through training and education, mentorship, and research.
Now, we rely on the Global Engagement Committee under the leadership of Dr. Kiran Thakur, Chair, and Dr. Omar Siddiqi, Vice Chair, to formalize a recommendation on how to best support, provide access, and deploy educational and research resources. I am grateful for the connections we have made and the focus that is being given to this initiative. I am thrilled with how far we have come and look forward to where we go from here. We will hear more about these efforts at ANA2023 where we will be joined by some of our colleagues from sub-Saharan Africa. |
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I am particularly excited about ANA2023 as it will be in my home city of Philadelphia this September 9 – 12, 2023! I look forward to rolling out the red carpet and helping you enjoy all that Philadelphia has to offer, as well as all the Annual Meeting has to offer including outstanding educational programs, awards, abstracts, election of officers, networking, connecting, and engaging with our colleagues in industry. I am sure you have so many questions, so let me provide some information on ways to begin planning for ANA2023 now.
ANA2023 Details and Information The ANA2023 website has launched, and I encourage you to visit the site often for updates, information, and resources to assist you in planning to attend ANA2023. There are a few things that require taking action now!
ANA2023 Call for Abstract Reviewers TODAY is the last day to apply to be a volunteer abstract reviewer. Each year, the ANA receives approximately 400 abstract submissions, and we need reviewers to help us identify the ones that should be included and featured in some way at the Annual Meeting. If you would like to share your expertise and help us review abstract proposals, submit your application today! Abstract Reviewers receive accolades and acknowledgement in the ANA2023 Final Program and satisfaction of a job well done! |
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ANA2023 Call for Abstracts Another important feature of the Annual Meeting is abstracts. The ANA is currently accepting abstract proposals. We hope you are considering submitting an abstract for consideration. Abstracts included at ANA2023 allow you to present your work at the top meeting in academic neurology, receive feedback on your research, and make connections to advance your career. The deadline to apply is March 30, 2023, at 11:59 PM PST. Don’t delay; submit your abstract today! |
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Election of Officers Each year at the Annual Meeting, an Executive Session of Membership is held to conduct association business and to adopt a slate of candidates to put forward to all ANA members for a vote. If you are interested in serving as an officer or a director on the ANA Board of Directors, the call for nominations is now open. You may self-nominate or work with a colleague to nominate you. If you know of someone who would be a great addition to the ANA Board, please consider nominating them. This year, the office of President-Elect and the office of Secretary are open. As well, there are four director seats on the board that will be filled.
The ANA has sent information on the Call for Nominations for officers and directors on the ANA Board of Directors. Please refer to the ANA bylaws to learn more about the various offices, the requirements, roles, and responsibilities for service. For additional information, please visit the ANA website or email ANA CEO Brenda Orffer. |
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ANA2023 Awards and Recognition Another exciting part of the Annual Meeting is honoring individuals who are making significant contributions and advances in discovery in the field of neurology. The Call for Awards Nominations is open now through April 7, 2023. The ANA offers several awards, and you could nominate someone you know to receive one of the following awards:
The ANA has sent several emails and is promoting the call for awards on social media. We encourage you to nominate an individual you think should be recognized, share this information with your network and encourage others to submit a nomination, and to help us ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion by sharing this information with candidates underrepresented in medicine.
In addition, the ANA has an International Outreach Travel Scholarship, Annual Meeting Poster Awards, Emerging Scholar Awards, Annual Meeting Travel Awards, and Dependent Care Awards. The ANA is committed to helping individuals participate in the Annual Meeting, so please reach out to the ANA staff if you have questions about scholarships or travel awards. |
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Program Directors Will Have Focused Session at ANA2023 I am thrilled to share that we are introducing a new professional development session for Program Directors at ANA2023. With the help of my colleague, Dr. Elisabeth Marsh who is on the ANA Board of Directors, we are developing sessions that will focus on facilitating research of trainees, logistical challenges, mentorship of trainees, and other topics pertaining to inspire Program Directors. These sessions will feature lecture as well as roundtable discussions. I am so glad we are adding this meaningful programming to our Annual Meeting. |
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Statistical Snapshots Series Released The ANA provides educational programming all year long to ensure our members have access to current information and discovery. A new ANA Highlight's Statistical Snapshots series was recently released, and it provides a digestible way to learn next-level statistical concepts, critical Epidemiology terms, and best techniques to apply to research. In this series of seven modules, ranging from 10-22 minutes, you will find a high-yield overview of critical statistical concepts that go beyond interpretation of p-values to provide a foundation by which to conduct rigorous medical or public health research, regardless of level or training. |
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Work Continues to Establish the Clinical Implementation Science Committee We have shared information on a new committee being established to evaluate new or emergent diagnostic tools and treatments in neurology to guide the Board of Directors in developing public responses on their implementation in clinical practice and neurological education. I want to thank my fellow board colleague, Dr. Salvador Cruz-Flores, for working on the committee charter to help us develop the mission, scope of work, and responsibilities for the committee. We still have some work to do, and we are seeking a broad membership of individuals active across many disciplines to build a robust committee.
If you are interested in participating on this committee, please submit your information and interest by completing the online application which will be open until the committee is populated. This new committee will be an opportunity for the ANA to inform and evaluate clinical innovation from the unique scientific and academic perspective. |
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Making Every Moment Count! There are certainly no dull moments in the ANA, and we hope you are actively engaging in all of these defining moments. Submit an abstract, apply to be a volunteer abstract reviewer, nominate someone for an award, nominate someone to be an officer or director on the board, consider self-nomination for an award or board seat, and definitely get ready to register for ANA2023! I am truly glad you are part of the ANA, and I hope you are taking advantage of everything there is available to support you in your work, professional growth, and personal success.
Regards, |
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Frances E. Jensen, MD, FANA, FACP President, American Neurological Association Arthur Knight Asbury, Md Professor of Neurology Chair of the Department of Neurology Co-Director Penn Medicine Translational Neuroscience Center Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania |