AAN names 30 neurologists to attend Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum

The American Academy of Neurology has named 30 neurologists from around the world to attend the esteemed Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, January 12-15, 2012, in Austin, Texas. The Forum is 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 doctors selected to attend at http://www.aan.com/globals/axon/assets/9017.pdf.

"It is impressive how past graduates of this program have been able to effectively advocate for changes in state and federal law to help the one in six people worldwide affected by a disabling neurologic disorder, such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, epilepsy and brain injury," said Bruce Sigsbee, MD, President and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, the world's largest professional association of neurologists.

Graduates of the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum learn how to make a difference in their local, state and national governments, hone their communication skills and develop an advocacy action plan to try to solve health care challenges where they live and practice. Many who graduate go on to:

•Promote state and federal legislation
•Obtain financial support for research
•Develop coalitions
•Organize state neurological societies
•Lobby for fair reimbursement to maintain patients' access to neurologic care
•Help draft position statements that affect future legislation

Since 2003, 270 members of the American Academy of Neurology from 41 US states and 15 countries have graduated from the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum. Many of these graduates have gone on to implement their action plans and provide solutions to health care challenges in their area.

This year's trainees will be joined by 10 advisors, all of whom were selected from previous forums based on their advocacy leadership experience to receive advanced mentorship training and work with the new 2012 trainees. The forum was named in memory of former Academy Board of Directors member Donald M. Palatucci, MD, and honors his spirited efforts as an advocate for his patients and profession.