Dear ANA Members,
Just a few weeks into 2024, it is clear that exciting things are in the works this year. Now is our opportunity to share the 2023 ANA Annual Report and reflect on what we accomplished together last year. 2023 was an incredible year for the ANA in many ways. The global impact of ANA was expanded, new features and educational programming were added to our Annual Meeting, our membership grew and collaborations with key stakeholders were initiated.
Some of the examples of ANA’s activities in 2023 include:
- The ANA provided funding to support projects in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia because of the Presidential Global Neurology Initiative started by Dr. Frances Jensen. The funds were utilized in the education, development, and recognition of neurological students and researchers within these countries.
- The ANA launched an initial meeting of subspecialty groups with more than 15 participating organizations. This meeting resulted in identifying common challenges, areas of opportunity, and potential collaboration among various subspecialties in neurology.
- The ANA hosted an inaugural workshop that convened stakeholder groups from biopharma and academia to identify gaps in the current ecosystem of therapeutic development in neurology. The task of the workshop was to recommend actions the ANA can implement to advance academia-biopharma partnerships. The ANA intends to catalyze efforts that will improve collaborations between academic and industry partners, as well as foundations and NIH, with the goal of enhancing the development of innovative therapies for neurological disorders.
- Throughout 2023, the ANA has celebrated diversity and inclusion through highlighting the observation of Congressionally designated heritage months, during which ANA specifically honors the contributions that individuals have made to neurology, medicine, and science.
These accomplishments represent the concerted efforts of our members, leaders, Board of Directors, and staff who work toward the ANA mission of advancing science, education, and careers to improve neurologic health for all.
This year will continue the growth and expansion of ANA programs and membership services. The Association of University Professors of Neurology’s (AUPN) Annual Meeting will again be welcomed as a satellite event of ANA2024 in Orlando. You are cordially invited to ANA’s 149th Annual Meeting September 14 – 17, 2024.
In preparation for the Annual Meeting, the ANA2024 website launched this week! In conjunction with the site going live, the ANA2024 Call for Abstracts was opened. Be sure to submit your abstract for consideration and to promote the ANA2024 Call for Abstracts among your colleagues, peers, and extended network.
Another opportunity to inform those in your network is the ANA’s International Outreach Travel Scholarship program, which was established in recognition of the shared goal among neurologists worldwide to reduce the burden of neurological disease through research, education, clinical care, and advocacy. The Scholarship is awarded to two (2) ANA members and provides the recipients with the opportunity to work in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the upcoming academic year. Applications are being accepted through March 19, 2024.
The ANA offers programs, opportunities, information, resources, mentorship, and so much more to its members. Do encourage your colleagues to join the ANA and take advantage of all that is available. Thank you for being part of the association and for sharing your expertise, insight, and perspective through engagement in ANA programming and activities.
Sincerely,
M. Elizabeth Ross, MD, PhD, FANA
President, ANA
Nathan Cummings Professor and
Head, Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Development
Director, Center for Neurogenetics
Weill Cornell Medicine