AAN Announces Class of 2015 for Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum

MINNEAPOLIS — The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has selected 27 neurologists from around the world to attend the prestigious Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, January 15-18, 2015 in Jacksonville, FL. The Forum has become the premier advocacy leadership skills development program designed to train neurologists to be effective advocates for their patients at the local, state and national levels.

View the list of physicians selected to attend at AAN.com/view/2015palf.

“These members of the AAN have demonstrated strong leadership within their communities as well as commitment to preserving access to the highest quality care for people living with chronic brain diseases,” said Timothy A. Pedley, MD, President and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, the world’s largest professional association of neurologists. “The Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum provides these neurologists with the advanced leadership skills and tools they need to 1) help change regulations that limit patient access to needed health care services; and 2) streamline government processes related to neurologic diseases such as stroke, dementia, epilepsy and migraine.”

Attendees of the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum learn how to engage effectively with their local, state and national governments, sharpen their communication skills and develop an advocacy action plan to address health care challenges where they live and practice. Many graduates go on to obtain financial support for research, develop coalitions, lobby for fair reimbursement to maintain patients’ access to neurologic care and draft position statements that affect future legislation.

Since 2003, 356 members of the American Academy of Neurology from 45 US states, the territory of Puerto Rico and 18 countries have graduated from the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum. Graduates have gone on to offer meaningful solutions to health care challenges in their area.

This year’s trainees will be joined by nine advisors, two faculty, and a moderator—all of whom were selected from previous Forums based on their advocacy leadership experience to receive advanced mentorship training and work with the new 2015 class.

The Forum was named in memory of former Academy Board of Directors member Donald M. Palatucci, MD, FAAN and honors his spirited and pioneering efforts as an advocate for his patients and profession.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 28,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visithttp://www.aan.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 28,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ andYouTube.