Dear ANA Members,
We had an outstanding Annual Meeting in Orlando this month, and I am excited to share some of the highlights with you. The Annual Meeting Programming (AMP) Committee chaired by Dr. Allison Willis of the University of Pennsylvania, did a phenomenal job planning outstanding educational programming, networking and connection events, and the celebratory President’s Reception. At the close of the meeting, Dr. Willis and I connected to discuss highlights of the meeting for a special edition of our ANA Investigates podcast. I invite you to listen to ANA Investigates ANA2024.
ANA2024 featured six plenary sessions, plus Special Interest Groups, Interactive Lunch Workshops, and Professional Development workshops. The plenary sessions were recorded, and the ANA will make members aware when they are available on OnDEC. We were pleased to welcome the Association of University Professors of Neurology (AUPN) who hosted their annual meeting in Orlando in conjunction with ANA2024. This year’s pre-meeting activities included the Research Careers Reimagined Course and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Career Development Symposium. We also held an Academia-Industry Forum providing opportunity for academic neurologists and industry experts to propose ways that ANA can facilitate private-public partnerships to accelerate clinical trial efficiency and effectiveness.
This year featured more than 400 posters and gave attendees opportunities to share and discuss their groundbreaking science. The winners for this year will be announced soon! Additionally, some of the educational programming gained attention from the media. Here are links to press releases that were picked up by several outlets:
- Artificial Intelligence Poised to Transform Neurological Care from Diagnosis to Treatment
- Rare Gene Variants Raise Risk of Developing ALS and Lead to More Rapid Progression
- MS Patients with Chronic Brain Lesions Decline Faster, Earlier Aggressive Treatment May Prevent Lesions and Slow Disease Progression
- Vaping Bad for Brain Health, First-of-its Kind Study Shows
The Annual Meeting featured the Executive Session of Membership session where officers were elected and members were updated on the activities and achievements of the association. I would like to congratulate the newly elected officers and directors who will serve on the ANA Board of Directors:
- Dr. Elisabeth Marsh, Johns Hopkins University | Vice President
- Dr. Clifford B. Saper, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center | Treasurer (2nd Term)
- Dr. Merit Cudkowicz, Massachusetts General Hospital | Director
- Dr. Claire Henchcliffe, University of California, Irvine | Director
- Dr. Jin-Moo Lee, Washington University in St. Louis | Director
- Dr. Wilfred Lindsey, Kennedy Krieger Institute | Ex-Officio
Individuals are pictured above from left to right in order of listing.
We look forward to welcoming these new board members who are volunteering their time, energy, expertise, and knowledge to help us in our mission of advancing science, education, and careers to improve neurologic health for all.
ANA leadership also presented to the membership a proposed bylaws change. The ANA sent information on the proposed updates to all members last week. We hope you have taken the time to vote on this matter. Voting is open until October 23, 2024.
Throughout the meeting, we recognized and honored the 2024 ANA Award winners. I would like to congratulate all the winners this year. It is not too early to begin thinking of who you might nominate for an award in 2025. You can learn more about the awards offered by the ANA here.
ANA2024 was an uplifting experience to see so many junior and early career members as well as leading experts in senior leadership in attendance. It was wonderful to have so many participants from countries around the world, with more than 40 attendees coming from outside the US and Canada. The ANA helps junior and early career members advance in their professional path and continues to support faculty and department chairs while also making an impact globally. I welcome your ideas on how we can continue to foster growth and expand member benefits and services to all our members.
Planning has already begun for next year’s ANA2025 in Baltimore. The ANA will be celebrating 150 years of service and innovation. This will be a landmark celebration of Neurology and Neuroscience, providing a moment to reflect on all that has been achieved but also on the vision of what is to come in our field. ANA2025 will be made all the more special by our joint celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Mark your calendar for September 13–16, 2025, and be sure to join us.
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