2020 January AANnews by American Academy of Neurology

VOLUME 34 · ISSUE 1 · January 2020

EXPLORE NEW WAYS FOR BALANCE, WELL-BEING, AND WHOLENESS AT EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AREA Enrich Your Work Life at the Annual Meeting Achieving balance, well-being, and wholeness in all aspects of your life can extend to the quality of care you provide your patients. The highly interactive Live Well Experiential Learning Area at the Annual Meeting is designed to explore new ways to achieve success both personally and professionally. The area is open each day of the meeting and will offer a perfect learning supplement to the traditional classroom setting. Look for more than 40 unique, fun, and meaningful experiences focused in three key wellness areas, including:

Balance

Yoga-Vinyasa Guided Meditation

Well-being

Mindfulness Practices Becoming a Sleep-healthy Neurologist

April 25 – May 1 • Toronto, Canada

Wholeness

Magnifying Your Life Through Poetry Acupuncture Demonstrations

For a full schedule, visit AAN.com/view/ELA. 

Ensure Success, Avoid Penalties: Understand Changes for 2020 MIPS Reporting

Improve Your Work with These Insightful 2020 Practice Management Webinars

This month marks the start of the fourth year of the Meritbased Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continue to increase reporting requirements for MIPS eligible clinicians (ECs). To ensure you avoid a penalty on Medicare Part B reimbursements in 2022, it’s important to learn key changes to MIPS reporting requirements in 2020.

New this year, all the AAN’s 2020 Practice Management Webinars will be recorded and presented in their entirety. The premiere dates listed below are when each full twohour webinar will be made available. After their premieres, webinars will remain accessible for the remainder of the year.

Continued on page 7

11 Apply Now for Palatucci

Advocacy Leadership Training

›

You can purchase a single webinar for $99 or purchase a 2020 Practice Management Webinar subscription for only $189—that’s less than $38 per webinar! Webinars are

12 Sunday Night at the Royal Ontario

Museum Promises Fun, Networking

Continued on page 8

17 Cindy McCain Joins Board of

the American Brain Foundation

›

In Multiple

Sclerosis —

GREY MATTERS, TOO

AANnews · January 2020

January Highlights

The Mission of the AAN is to promote the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care and enhance member career satisfaction.

The highly popular Brainstorm: A Competition for the Innovator in All of Us will return to the 2020 Annual Meeting— and we’re seeking your ground-breaking idea submissions!

The Vision of the AAN is to be indispensable to our members.

Diversity Leadership Program Graduate Finds Deeper Meaning in All Aspects of Life, Career

Contact Information American Academy of Neurology 201 Chicago Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55415

Are great leaders made or born? If you had asked Erick Tarula, MD, this question prior to his 10 months’ experience in the AAN’s Diversity Leadership Program, he would have answered the latter.

Phone: (800) 879-1960 (toll free) (612) 928-6000 (international) Email:

round-breaking Ideas Sought G for Popular Brainstorm Event at 2020 Annual Meeting

memberservices@aan.com

Website: AAN.com For advertising rates, contact: Eileen R. Henry Wolters Kluwer Health | Medical Research Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins Phone: (732) 778-2261

READY

Email: Eileen.Henry@wolterskluwer.com

et Ready for the Board and G Continuing Certification with New NeuroReady Editions

The AAN’s online board review programs now have a new name—NeuroReady!

AAN Executive Director: Catherine M. Rydell, CAE Editor-in-Chief: John D. Hixson, MD Managing Editor: Angela M. Babb, MS, CAE, APR Editor: Tim Streeter Writers: Ryan Knoke and Sarah Parsons Designer: Siu Lee Email: aannews@aan.com

AANnews is published monthly by the American Academy of Neurology for its more than 36,000 members worldwide. Access this magazine and other AAN publications online at AAN.com. ®

The American Academy of Neurology ’ s registered trademarks and service marks are registered in the United States and various other countries around the world. “American Brain Foundation” is a registered service mark of the American Brain Foundation and is registered in the United States.

News Briefs E/M Codes

Prior Authorization Comments

The AAN is working to protect positive changes to the evaluation and management (E/M) codes that are set to go into effect in 2021. The AAN is meeting with members of Congress to ensure that legislators understand the need to appropriately value E/M services and protect access to cognitive care. In addition, the AAN is coordinating our outreach efforts with other specialty societies and the AAN plans to meet with high-level policymakers from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2020.

The AAN submitted comments in November in response to a request for information from CMS in relation to the administrative burdens associated with prior authorization. The AAN’s comments provided the agency with a number of recommendations for how to reduce the burdens associated with prior authorization in future rulemaking. The AAN is committed to reducing the regulatory and administrative burdens faced by neurologists so that patients have timely access to needed care and so that wasteful and unnecessary administrative costs are reduced. 

AANnews • January 2020 3

President’s Column

Board Approves Strategic Goals for 2020 “If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.”

Stevens

This observation from the great philosopher and New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra holds profound truth in a wrapping of whimsy. Yes, there are times when we do embrace the serendipity of the unplanned day, or a weekend drive with no particular place to go.

But those of us who steer the AAN, with its more than 36,000 members and a $64.4M expense budget, do not have the luxury of serendipity. We can’t invite you to climb aboard and kick back while we cruise around to destinations unknown. You elected us to be at the wheel, alert, decisive, with an end point to our journey and the means and determination to get us there. And so, we plan. Carefully, collaboratively, with hard data and with input from our membership. We examine what’s working and reexamine what isn’t. We survey the health care landscape that neurology inhabits for threats and opportunities. We decide where we want to be a year from now, and what strategies, tactics, and ideas will fuel our trip. And, ideally, everything we do, every dollar we spend, and every ounce of discipline supports our efforts to get us to that destination. Our 2020 goals and key areas for each describe how we as leaders, members, and staff will accomplish our mission and achieve our vision. These goals and committee objectives below envision a preferred future to which we aspire for the AAN—a future in which we achieve our vision to be indispensable to all our members:

Demonstrate and assert the value of neurology to policymakers and other major stakeholders Continue the Neuroscience Is…™ (Essential and Critical) campaign to demonstrate the importance of neuroscience in elevating the value of neurology and delivering cures for patients with neurological disorders

2020

STRATEGIC GOALS 4

AANnews • January 2020

Prepare members to practice in the environment of valuebased care, developing models and resources to support efforts for practice transformation Support the development and growth of the Axon Registry ® as an indispensable and sustainable quality tool for neurologists Support health services research to address data needs to inform AAN policy positions and to quantify the value of neurology Communicate to members the clinical and professional benefits of delivering high-value, high-quality care

Expand the neurology workforce to meet future needs for patient care Ensure a diverse and adequate workforce pipeline for the future multi-disciplinary neurology team, including development of programs and resources intended to increase the percentage of graduating US medical students choosing to enter the neurology match Develop educational initiatives that raise awareness of neurology and neuroscience at grades 7–12, college, graduate school, and medical school levels Provide shared resources for medical student and neurology resident and fellowship training programs to enhance education, attract students into the field, and assist in their meeting regulatory requirements

Ensure the health of the organization and enhance member and staff satisfaction, well-being, and engagement Continue to focus on critical retention and recruitment initiatives, including targeted campaigns for medical student recruitment, Junior and Early Career members, US neurologists, and the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) and Business Administrator tiered membership models

Demonstrate and assert the value of neurology to policymakers and other major stakeholders

Expand the neurology workforce to meet future needs for patient care

Ensure the health of the organization and enhance member and staff satisfaction, well-being, and engagement

Continue to recruit and engage Fellow members of the AAN

Analyze need for advanced career leadership training

Better understand the global neurology market and adapt to the needs of international membership

Streamline leadership program group project process

Support the needs of academic neurologists and related constituents at every stage of their career through development of educational programming, mentorship resources, and networking platform (Academic Medicine Initiative) Support the needs of private practice practitioners through the development of educational programming and other resources, recognizing the unique needs of solo and small practice practitioners Continue implementation of the centralized model for AAN Sections, including increased engagement in SynapseSM Online Communities and an enhanced Annual Meeting experience Support the needs of, encourage collaboration, and enhance communication channels with neurology subspecialty organizations Continue personalizing member communications and the member experience, including AAN.com through the integration and delivery of content based on member subspecialty focus Improve understanding of the AAN member value proposition, to include continuous surveying of AAN members and targeted exhibiting strategies tailored to the member needs Promote different practice options to support work-life balance Explore ways to encourage appreciation of humanities in neurological practices Coordinate Academy wellness efforts among all membership categories Develop resources and provide education to support efforts to correct disparities based on gender or race/ethnicity in the areas of compensation, professional advancement, leadership opportunities, and work-life balance

Provide resources to support the financial well-being of the practice of neurology

Expand neuroscience training and research funding

Create a follow-up assessment for all leadership program alumni Broaden scope of self-directed leadership programs at the Annual Meeting and consider for Regional Conferences Expand Leadership Engagement Subcommittee initiatives to continue participant engagement Maintain a high-quality publication portfolio that is innovative and satisfies the needs of key constituents including, but not limited to, readers and the organization Maintain business innovation roles and organizational framework to enhance business opportunities

Provide resources to support the financial well-being of the practice of neurology Develop resources to help neurologists in all practice settings, including solo and small group practices Create programs and resources to support academic neurology practices, including academic department leadership and business administrators Increase Business Administrator membership and become indispensable to this membership segment Improve the productivity and compensation survey and its data dashboard further by incorporating participant feedback. Distribute the survey again in 2021 Renew efforts to develop tools for neurologists interested in implementing remote care in practice; continue supporting teleneurologists by investigating legal and reimbursement issues Continue to develop more policy expertise at the volunteer level; identify members with a health policy interest; formalize a mentorship program to cultivate health policy expertise Pursue opportunities to reduce unnecessary regulatory hassles on neurology practices

Educate and assist members in providing highvalue, team-based, patient-centered, clinical care

Continued on page 6

Strengthen advocacy on behalf of and in collaboration with members and patients

›

Increase the reach of AAN resources to enhance patient-centered neurologic care

President’s Column

Board Approves Strategic Goals for 2020 continued from page 5 Expand neuroscience training and research funding Continue to increase and sustain AAN advocacy and lobbying efforts in support of neuroscience research including NIH and NINDS funding, with enhanced collaboration with patient groups and coalitions in joint lobbying efforts Continue to expand the AAN Institute Research Program by offering additional funding opportunities for mid-career research scientists and targeted funding for diverse research scientists Continue to provide venues for research scientists to present their research and expand the opportunities for scientific exchange Continue to foster relationships with NIH and the Institutes to support research careers

Educate and assist members in providing high-value, team-based, patient-centered, clinical care Provide high-quality education, research, and professional programs and resources to support the unique needs of all members of the neurology care team at every stage of their career, including Annual Meeting, conferences, and online programs Create personalized learning opportunities, continue to monitor continuous certification and develop resources to help members meet continuous certification requirements Partner with Industry Roundtable members to educate members on new and emerging treatment options at the Annual Meeting and Regional Programs Develop timely, evidence-based clinical guidelines to inform high-quality clinical neurologic care, and valid, meaningful, and practical quality measures for neurologic practice Provide meaningful quality improvement tools to engage neurologists to use quality data to improve their practice Support the integration of a quality and safety culture into neurologic care provided in all settings Improve data available in the Axon Registry and the AAN member database to assess disparities in neurologic care Better understand current literature on disparities in neurologic care Encourage further research into disparities in neurologic care Increase awareness and understanding of implicit bias Provide ethical guidance regarding important contemporary ethical issues Support Junior AAN members interested in biomedical ethics and provide them AAN committee experience

AANnews • January 2020

Strengthen advocacy on behalf of and in collaboration with members and patients Develop and improve key relationships with payors and impact payor policies for the benefit of AAN members and patients Develop and improve key relationships with agencies, including CMS, and impact regulatory policies for the benefit of AAN members and patients Create a seamless transition between hard copy materials, social media messages, and online advocacy content for policymakers on AAN.com Assess and strengthen current advocacy activities and member communication; develop an integrated grasstops program to use top advocates more strategically; coordinate internally and externally to support legislative goals; and cultivate health policy experience Continue to expand capacity for solicitation of BrainPAC contributions from members and increase BrainPAC contributions to members of Congress Build the capacity to engage patients and the public in advocacy using digital strategies and communication channels Pursue prioritized opportunities to advocate for appropriate drug pricing and access to needed treatments Eliminate systems that are barriers to reducing disparities in neurologic care

Increase the reach of AAN resources to enhance patient-centered neurologic care Establish a global strategy for developing and distributing AAN patient education resources that expands the visibility of the AAN and educates the public about neurology Our ambitions and these areas of focus present prime opportunities to enhance the quality of your AAN membership and enrich the resources and tools you need to maximize your success. The members of the Board of Directors and I wish you all the best of what 2020 has to offer! 

James C. Stevens, MD, FAAN President, AAN jstevens@aan.com @JimStevensMD on Twitter

Tools & Resources

AAN Measures Available for 2020 QPP/MIPS Reporting The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Quality Payment Program (QPP) Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reporting year started on January 1, 2020. The AAN has multiple quality measures incorporated into MIPS for your reporting needs. The QPP neurology measurement set remains unchanged from the 2019 performance year and includes AAN-developed measures for patients with ALS, dementia, epilepsy, opioid use, and Parkinson’s disease. Crosscutting measures for falls, advance care planning, and medication reconciliation also are available. You

can find a complete list of the QPP neurology quality measurement set at qpp.cms.gov. QPP measures differ from qualified clinical data registry (QCDR) measures. Read the article on page 10 for more information on the AAN’s Axon Registry ® as a 2020 QCDR and the differences between QPP and QCDR measures available. Axon Registry has incorporated 21 of the 26 QPP neurology measurement sets.

the 2020 performance year, eligible providers must report on 70 percent of the individual MIPS eligible provider or group’s patients. This has been increased from prior years and no points will be awarded for any measure a provider reports that fails to meet the 70 percent threshold. Visit AAN.com/policy-and-guidelines/ quality to view free quality measure and quality improvement resources. Visit AAN.com/macra for additional QPP resources, including information on improvement activities, interoperability, and cost components. 

Eligible providers are encouraged to start measuring quality now by identifying which method they will use to report and which quality measures they will use in the year. New for

Ensure Success, Avoid Penalties: Understand Changes for 2020 MIPS Reporting continued from cover MIPS ECs and groups must achieve 45 points to avoid a negative payment adjustment and 85 points to be eligible to receive an exceptional bonus in 2020, up from 30 points and 75 points, respectively, in 2019. The data completeness threshold was raised from 60 percent to 70 percent, meaning participants must submit 70 percent of data from all payers during the performance period. If reporting as a group, 50 percent of ECs in the group must perform the same Improvement Activity for 90 continuous days during the performance period to successfully attest.

Additionally, the low-volume threshold for MIPS participation remains unchanged in 2020, indicating if you were eligible for MIPS last year, you likely will be in 2020. For more information on MIPS Quality measures, see page 10 . The AAN provides you with tools and resources to meet reporting requirements, avoid penalties, and achieve success in MIPS. For more information and up-to-date MIPS resources, visit AAN.com/view/QPP or email practice@aan.com. 

2020 MIPS Component Weights

Cost measure methodology was revised to better address attribution. Maximum payment adjustments based on 2020 performance are -/+ 9 percent and will affect 2022 reimbursements. MIPS component weights will remain the same in 2020 as 2019: Quality remains at 45 percent Cost remains at 15 percent Improvement Activities remains at 15 percent Promoting Interoperability remains at 25 percent

AANnews • January 2020 7

Tools & Resources

Improve Your Work with These Insightful 2020 Practice Management Webinars continued from cover accessible through the AAN Online Learning Center and each one provides 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ per webinar for physicians or a certificate of completion for non-physicians. Visit AAN.com/view/pmw20 to learn more and register or contact Jessica Nickrand at jnickrand@aan.com.

FEBRUARY 11 Position Your Practice for Growth: Best Operational Practices in Your Neurology Business Faculty: Jaya Trivedi, MD, FAAN Chapter 1: Data-driven Decision Making for Your Practice Effectively use data analytics to judge your practice’s successes and failures, and make decisions for your practice moving forward Chapter 2: Develop Strategies and Stick to Them Building on Chapter 1’s data analytics, understand what goes into thinking about the “big picture,” and incorporate process improvement techniques to increase efficiency in your practice Chapter 3: Implementing Policies and Procedures for Your Patients, Staff, and Yourself Learn how to set policies and share this information with your patients and staff (i.e., no-show policies, pre-visit paperwork, etc.) Chapter 4: Tools of the Trade Identify which, and know how to incorporate, health IT tools that can increase efficiency and maximize your value

APRIL 14 Patient Engagement that Works for Your Practice Faculty: Radhika Sampat, DO Chapter 1: Patient Engagement Techniques to Improve Patient Care Identify which patient engagement techniques you can incorporate into your practice, like efficient patient portal usage and motivational interviewing Chapter 2: Improvement Activities Identify which MIPS Improvement Activities to incorporate into your practice and how this can improve the quality of the care you offer your patients Chapter 3: Promoting Interoperability Identify how using patient portals by e-prescribing, exchanging health information, and tracking clinical data improves your patients’ experience and can help your practice make more money

AANnews • January 2020

Chapter 4: How Patient Engagement Can Improve Your Practice Learn how proper patient engagement can improve patient satisfaction, increasing your census and improving your reputation

JUNE 9 Making Reimbursement Work in Your Practice Faculty: Korwyn Williams, MD, PhD, and Kavita Nair, PhD Chapter 1: Provider Documentation in Diagnosis Coding Understand how proper documentation provides the basis for adequate reimbursement and learn how to train your care team on what to document to support their diagnosis Chapter 2: Provider Documentation in Diagnosis Coding Case Studies Test your knowledge and implement what you’ve used for maximum reimbursement Chapter 3: How to Navigate Prior Authorizations and the Peer Review Process Learn the proper procedures for appealing denials and building relationships to contract with payers to make reimbursement more likely for your practice Chapter 4: Understanding Coverage Policies for High-cost Drugs Learn how high-cost drugs are covered by payers and steps for getting coverage and approval

AUGUST 11 Leading Your Practice to Excellence Faculty: Herschal F. Jacquay, MHA Chapter 1: Leadership Skills for Your Practice Identify methods for improving your leadership skills to improve staff relations and business practices

Chapter 2: Recruitment, Engagement, and Retention Identify strategies for provider and front desk staff hiring, retention, and engagement by building a positive work culture with coaching, mentoring, and career development

“Hey Siri, play the latest Neurology Minute podcast!”

Chapter 3: Staffing Models for Success Understand different staffing model options and identify which would improve the efficiency of your practice

The Neurology Minute™ podcast delivers a brief daily summary of what you need to know in the field of neurology, the latest in brain science, and timely topics explored by leading neurologists and neuroscientists. Produced by the AAN, the podcast is hosted by Stacey Clardy, MD, FAAN, with contributions by experts from the Neurology ® journals, Neurology Today ®, Continuum®, and more.

Chapter 4: Avoiding Burnout as a Leader Know which tools and resources are available for your practice to help your effectiveness and avoid burnout as a leader

OCTOBER 13 Practice Sustainability Through Proper Financial Management Faculty: David A. Evans, MBA Chapter 1: Benchmarking Basics Use AAN tools like the Neurology Compensation and Productivity Report and Axon Registry ® to benchmark your data and learn how to improve

You can program your Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant to hear the latest episode. Better yet—subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also, consider including a rating and review on the podcast. It’s a great way for the podcast editorial team to get input from listeners and help the podcast get discovered be new people. Learn more at AAN.com/view/NeurologyMinute. 

neurology

Chapter 2: Where Are We Losing Money? Understand how to run an internal financial audit and identify pathways through improvement Chapter 3: Documentation to Support Reimbursement Identify how to improve your coding practices in your practice for maximum reimbursement, knowing how to practice proper documentation and what to do to appeal your reimbursement Chapter 4: Financial Management in an Era of Value-based Care Know which value-based payment models will work best for your practice and understand how to manage and lower your total cost of care 

MINUTE

AAN Article Examines Efficacy of Telemedicine in Neurology The AAN has published an article on “Telemedicine in Neurology” online on December 4, 2019, and in the January 7 print issue of Neurology®. This article was prepared by the AAN’s Telemedicine Work Group and provides a review of the efficacy of the use of telemedicine in neurology, or “teleneurology,” in neurologic subspecialties beyond stroke. This is the first paper that performs this type of review, outside of stroke. The work group found overall satisfaction with teleneurology among patients and caregivers as well as data that suggests diagnostic accuracy equivalent to inpatient visits for teleneurology used in appropriate settings. However, more studies are needed to validate and support the use of teleneurology across the vast array of neurologic disorders. The article identifies gaps in knowledge regarding benefit or non-inferiority of telemedicine compared to in-person neurology, and proposes next steps in assessment of telemedicine in neurology. The work group examined teleneurology used for concussion/ traumatic brain injury, dementia, epilepsy, headache, inpatient neurology, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, and neuromuscular disorders. 

AANnews • January 2020 9

Tools & Resources

Measures Adjusted as Axon Registry Approved for 2020 MIPS Reporting The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Axon Registry ® as a qualified clinical data registry (QCDR) for MIPS 2020 reporting. The Axon Registry has obtained the QCDR designation annually since 2016. This designation is important because it allows the Axon Registry to have up to 30 QCDR (i.e., non-MIPS) neurology-specific measures available for MIPS reporting. In 2020, the Axon Registry will have 11 neurology quality measures, in addition to 23 QPP measures, available for MIPS reporting. These 11 neurology quality measures are available for reporting only via the Axon Registry and will not be available for AAN members who submit MIPS via either their EHR system or a quality registry such as MIPSwizard. Each year, there are changes to the quality measures tracked within the Axon Registry. As part of the QCDR self-nomination application, CMS either approves or rejects the QCDR measures contained in the application.

New quality measures available for 2020 MIPS reporting

Quality measures denied by CMS that will no longer be available for 2020 MIPS reporting

Preventive Care and Screening: Screening for Clinical Depression and Follow-Up Plan [QPP134] Use of High-Risk Medications in the Elderly [QPP238] Sleep Apnea: Severity Assessment at Initial Diagnosis [QPP277]

CMS did not accept the following nine measures, but six measures will remain in the Axon Registry for quality improvement purposes, and three measures indicated with an asterisk (*) will be removed from the registry: Botulinum Toxin Serotype A (BoNT-A) for Spasticity or Dystonia [Axon 34]

Dementia: Cognitive Assessment [QPP281] Several new quality measures are being implemented in the Axon Registry for quality improvement monitoring in 2020 and may be considered for the 2021 QCDR self-nomination application: Post-acute Brain Injury: Depression Screening and Follow-up Plan of Care [Pending license] Antipsychotic Use in Persons with Dementia [Pending license]

Current MS Disability Scale Score [Axon 37] Vestibular Rehabilitation for Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction [Axon 43] Ocular Myasthenia Gravis: Improvement of Ocular Deviation or Absence of Diplopia or Functional Improvement [Axon 39] Avoidance of Dopamine-blocking Medications in Patients with PD [Axon 47] Depression Utilization of the PHQ-9 Tool [QPP371 removed from MIPS; for quality improvement only]

DSP: Querying about Pain and Pain Interference with Function [Axon 57]

*Pain Assessment and Follow-up [QPP131 removed from MIPS]

Child: Neurodevelopmental/neuropsychological Screening in Epilepsy [Axon 56] Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center Referral or Discussion for Patients with Epilepsy [Axon 55]

*Giant Cell Arteritis: Absence of Fellow Eye Involvement After Corticosteroid Treatment [Axon 38] *Overuse of Barbiturate and Opioid Containing Medications for Primary Headache Disorders [Axon 25] Learn more about the Axon Registry and quality measures at AAN.com/view/Axon or contact registry@aan.com. For more information about registry enrollment, contact Arnel Rillo at arillo@aan.com. 

Dementia: Caregiver Education and Support Falls: Querying About Falls for Patients Headache: Medication Prescribed for Acute Migraine Attack

Parkinson's: Psychiatric Symptoms Assessment ALS: End of Life Planning Assistance

AANnews • January 2020

Total

400

300

100

75%

400

250

150

62%

400

200

50%

400

100

300

25%

Policy & Guidelines

Apply Now for Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Training Do you see problems or opportunities in your institution, local community, or on a state/national level that you want to address? Do you have possible solutions but are unsure on how to proceed or feel you lack the skills necessary to bring about needed change? If so, the AAN can help you! Beginning January 8, the AAN is accepting applications for the 18th annual Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum (PALF), which will take place July 23–26, 2020, at the Hyatt Tamaya Resort in Albuquerque, NM. The Academy seeks applicants who have a clear passion, strong leadership potential, and desire to advocate on behalf of their patients, community, or profession. Applications are due by March 9. This award-winning program offers critical training in the areas of grassroots advocacy, leadership, relationship building, and media skills and provides an outlet for passionate ideas and issues to be molded into strategic action plans. The Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum teaches neurologists how to: Turn their needs and those of their patients into action plans Develop media communication skills, whether in front of the camera or through written editorials Build and maintain relationships with reporters Represent patients and the profession with state and federal representatives Learn more and apply at AAN.com/view/PALF. 

AANnews • January 2020 11

Conferences & Community

Sunday Night at the Royal Ontario Museum Promises Fun, Networking

Ground-breaking Ideas Sought for Popular Brainstorm Event at 2020 Annual Meeting

Join your colleagues and friends—both old and new—for an evening filled with world-class art, culture, and nature at Sunday Night at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). The event will take place April 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and offer delicious food and beverages, musical entertainment, and networking.

The highly popular Brainstorm: A Competition for the Innovator in All of Us will return to the Innovation Hub presentation stage in the 2020 Annual Meeting Exhibit Hall—and we’re seeking your ground-breaking idea submissions! The game-style event allows participants to present on stage before a panel of AAN member judges their inventive solutions to challenges related to patients, practice, or any other medical-related issue, with discussion and critique following. The grand-prize winner will receive $1,500 and a consultation with the AAN Business Innovation team to help bring the idea to more patients around the world.

The first 4,000 registered Annual Meeting attendees will receive a free ticket. Additional guest tickets can be purchased for $115. Transportation to and from the museum will be provided. Secure your ticket at AAN.com/view/AM20. 

AAN members who are interested in presenting original ideas at the event are encouraged to submit a video, no more than 90 seconds long, giving a brief description of the challenge and your solution. Learn more and submit your 2 minutes video by the February 21 deadline at AAN.com/view/brainstorm.

With the permission of the Royal Ontario Museum, © ROM

All Annual Meeting attendees are invited to attend the event on Monday, April 27, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Innovation Hub Experiential Learning Area to watch their trailblazing colleagues. 

April 25 – May 1 • Toronto, Canada

Annual Meeting Offers Customized Programming, Deep Discounts for Medical Students and Residents The 2020 Annual Meeting has been designed with students, residents, and fellows in mind. Trainees can expect to find customized programs and events throughout the week that are specifically tailored to offer firsthand access to the latest neurology education and science, hear from renowned experts in their chosen subspecialty area of interest, and make essential connections that will prove invaluable to career advancement—all for deeply discounted registration rates. AAN Medical Student members receive free registration and AAN Intern and Junior members receive a discounted registration of only $295 when registering by March 5, 2020.

Medical Student and Resident Opportunities Digital Scavenger Hunt Saturday, April 25–Wednesday, April 29 Trainees can participate in this digital scavenger hunt by attending three events or visiting three areas from a daily list and posting pictures to social media using #AANAMTrainees. The first three people to tweet or post will receive a prize! Futures in Neurological Research Boot Camp Saturday, April 25, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Don't miss this opportunity to kick off your Annual Meeting experience with a half-day boot camp designed to refine and advance your research skills. Medical Student Symposium Sunday, April 26, 12:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Specifically designed for medical students to explore the exciting career opportunities within neurology and network with other students. Medical students who are registered for the Annual Meeting can RSVP in early 2020. Space is limited. Futures in Neurological Research Luncheon Monday, April 27, 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. Join your trainee colleagues for a high-energy and fun networking luncheon for those who are pursuing research as a part of their career. Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) Meeting Monday, April 27, 4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) members, leaders, and faculty advisors are convening for an annual meeting to further network and strengthen the SIGN community. Participants will have a stronger sense of the SIGN community and establish new peer, staff, and/or faculty contacts.

levels, as well as take advantage of science and leadership programming in neuropharmacology, neuroanatomy, and neuropathology and the Chief Resident Leadership Program. Learn more about customized opportunities for trainees at AAN.com/view/AMTrainee. 

Looking to Save Even More Money? Volunteer! Residents and fellows can save even more by volunteering for one of the following opportunities: Education and Scientific Program Monitors Monitors are needed for all education program offerings and scientific platform sessions to assist directors, faculty, session co-chairs, and staff. Volunteers receive free Annual Meeting registration. Skills Workshop Volunteers Volunteers are needed for select skills workshops throughout the week. Volunteers will receive free Annual Meeting registration, a waived workshop fee, and $40 per session. Available opportunities are limited. Sign up to volunteer at AAN.com/view/AMTrainee. 

Trainee and Faculty Networking Reception Monday, April 27, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. This is the premier networking event for trainees, department chairs, and faculty. The event offers opportunities for medical students, residents, and fellows to network with peers and leaders from academic neurology departments across the country to make connections that can further trainee career development. Students and residents should also be sure to visit the many Experiential Learning Areas throughout the week for even more career-focused programming that is open to all career

AANnews • January 2020 13

Conferences & Community

Diversity Leadership Program Graduate Finds Deeper Meaning in All Aspects of Life, Career Are great leaders made or born? If you had asked Erick Tarula, MD, this question prior to his 10 months’ experience in the AAN’s Diversity Leadership Program, he would have answered the latter. “At first, I had no idea what it meant to undergo leadership training,” said Tarula who is a neurologist and assistant professor in neurocritical care and stroke in the Department of Neurology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, WI. “Along with that, I had held the concept that leadership is an innate quality that you either had or you didn't. Boy, was I wrong.” Knowing very little about the program or what to expect, Tarula initially made the decision to apply based on a recommendation from a good friend and colleague. He wasn’t long into the curriculum before his conceptions were turned upside-down. “Under the guidance of [program consultant] Joanne L. Smikle, PhD, it was quickly established that our leadership skills were something to be tended to, cultivated, and—ultimately— expanded through thoughtful reflection and exercise.” More specifically, Tarula learned how to become more selfaware through careful daily reflection. “This allowed me the room to digest the day’s interactions, pick apart what worked and what did not, and strategize for the future. This self-tuning is a work in progress, but so far has helped me hone in on my authentic self and, by extension, made my already enjoyable work that much more meaningful and enjoyable.” While finding meaning and enjoyment can be itself a significant accomplishment in today's era of physician burnout, the program has also inspired Tarula to pursue meaningful roles at his institution, with his new skills proving “vital in terms of my ability to persuade others.” “I’ve shaped and redefined the pre-clinical neurologic education in the hopes of increasing the number of students who ultimately choose neurology as a career, and joined the school’s admissions committee, advocating for students’ admission based on equity and justice,” he said.

Tarula

The AAN Diversity Leadership program is a crucial aspect of the AAN’s leadership diversification strategy intended to identify, mentor, and engage AAN members from underrepresented groups. The program provides a meaningful developmental experience that fully engages up to 10 AAN members from underrepresented neurology groups to build selfconfidence, relationships, and camaraderie; reduce burnout; hone presentation and management skills; increase AAN engagement; and more through personalized coaching and leadership development training by an executive consultant, individualized mentoring by a neurology leader, and an AAN Board-assigned group project and presentation to the AAN Board of Directors. Learn more about the variety of Leadership Programs available to members at AAN.com/view/DLP. 

January 23 Is Last Chance to Save on In Conjunction With Meeting Submissions Take advantage of early savings by submitting requests for 2020 Annual Meeting In Conjunction With (ICW) meetings and events by January 23, 2020, as submission fees will increase after that date. An ICW meeting is an AAN-affiliated organization’s event, meeting, or function available to Annual Meeting attendees that falls outside the official AAN Annual Meeting program but during inclusive dates of the Annual Meeting. Visit AAN.com/view/ICW today to learn more.

AANnews • January 2020

JANUARY

Education & Research

2020 Medical Student Scholarships to the Annual Meeting Awarded Applications increased significantly this year for the 2020 Medical Student Experience at the Annual Meeting Scholarship, which is made possible in part by a grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. A record 187 applications representing 90 institutions were received, with 55 awarded scholarships that will provide first-, second-, and third-year medical students with a personalized introduction to the field of neurology and exposure to diverse neurologic subspecialties and career options throughout the Annual Meeting in Toronto. In addition to being able to take part in dedicated Annual Meeting educational activities, scientific presentations from leaders in the field of neurology, mentoring, and other opportunities to enrich their medical careers and broaden their professional networks, recipients also receive airfare, lodging, registration, a per diem, a certificate of recognition, a special meet-and-greet session, and be able to attend the Sunday, April 26, 2020, Medical Student Symposium: Careers in Neurology. 

Get Ready for Board Certification Exams with NeuroReady The AAN’s online board review programs now have a new name— NeuroReady! The name change better reflects the AAN’s suite of products designed to help neurologists get ready for initial board certification or recertification and is available in two editions: NeuroReady: Board Prep Edition (formerly the Neurology Board Prep Course) is designed to help neurologists prepare for the ABPN initial certification exam in neurology, and features materials based on the content outline used by the ABPN for the Neurology Board exam. For more information or to enroll, visit AAN.com/view/NeuroReadyBP. NeuroReady: Continuing Certification Edition (formerly the Neurology MOC Prep Course) is designed to help neurologists prepare for recertification and offers 15 selfassessment CME. Materials for the course are based on the content outline used by the ABPN for the cognitive expertise component (Part III) of continuing certification. For more information or to enroll, visit AAN.com/view/NeuroReadyCC. 

Online Learning Programs Available to Meet Your 2020 Continuing Medical Education Needs In addition to NeuroReady, a host of other online learning programs are now available at the Online Learning Center at Learning.AAN.com. Keep these opportunities in mind as you begin to plan your continuing medical education needs for 2020. NeuroBytes: Available for free to AAN members, these short 3– to 5-minute videos provide a quick and convenient way to stay up-to-date on clinical topics. Two videos are developed each month and 26 videos are now available, including popular topics such as Clinical Approach to the Localization & Diagnosis of Ptosis and Fundamental Concepts of Alzheimer’s Risk Reduction. Browse the full catalog at AAN.com/view/NeuroBytes. NeuroSAE®: Look for two new editions: NeuroSAE Medical Student Fourth Edition and NeuroSAE 12th Edition. Nine NeuroSAE exams are available free to AAN members. NeuroLearnSM: A refreshed NeuroLearn Patient Safety Second Edition and NeuroLearn: Brachial Plexus Third Edition have joined the lineup of seven NeuroLearn courses—all available for free to AAN members. Annual Meeting On Demand: Purchase the 2019 Annual Meeting On Demand program now through the Online Learning Center, or pre-order the 2020 version at AAN.com/view/20AMOD. The Annual Meeting Gold registration bundle (which includes Annual Meeting On Demand) provides the best value for those planning to attend the 2020 Annual Meeting in Toronto, and is available for purchase with your meeting registration. 

AANnews • January 2020 15

Education & Research

UCNS Certifies New Diplomates in Neuro-oncology and Clinical Neuromuscular Pathology

UCNS Diplomates: Submit Articles for Continuous Certification Process

The United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS) has certified new diplomates in the areas of Neuro-oncology and Clinical Neuromuscular Pathology.

The United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS) is asking its diplomates to help identify the “must-read” articles in each subspecialty for use in its continuous certification (C-cert) process. In this process, diplomates will be provided with an annual reading list of up to 10 journal articles that are clinically relevant and reflect the most recent advances, or new or updated published practice guidelines in the subspecialty field. Each subspecialty examination committee will develop a 25-question online quiz based on the selected articles’ content. Diplomates must then take and pass the online 25-question knowledge assessment quiz to meet annual C-cert requirements.

A total of 45 physicians passed the certification examination in Neuro-oncology, bringing the overall number of UCNS diplomates in the subspecialty to 281. In Clinical Neuromuscular Pathology, nine physicians passed the certification exam, bringing the total number of diplomates to 68. To see the list of new diplomates, visit “News” at UCNS.org. 

Diplomates are invited to submit articles for consideration by the subspecialty’s examination committee. Article submission criteria and the online submission form can be found under “Continuous Certification” at UCNS.org or contact Todd Bulson at tbulson@ucns.org or (612) 928-6067. 

PODCAST

Neurology ® Podcast:

20 Minutes Pack a Punch!

Subscribe and download the latest podcast at Neurology.org/podcast 16

AANnews • January 2020

American Brain Foundation

Cindy McCain Joins Board of the American Brain Foundation The American Brain Foundation has announced that Cindy McCain is one of five incoming members of its board of directors in 2020. McCain has dedicated her life to improving the lives of those less fortunate, both in the United States and around the world. She is chair of the board of the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University, as well as its Human Trafficking Advisory Council. The brain has been one of Cindy McCain’s causes, too. The McCain family honored the late Sen. John McCain on the nation’s first Glioblastoma Awareness Day on July 17, 2019. Years before her husband passed away as a result of this deadly disease, McCain was an advocate for research on migraine. She discussed her experience with Brain & Life® magazine. “I wasn’t accurately diagnosed with migraines until I was 40. Prior to that, I saw many doctors who seemed condescending and wrote me off as a ‘neurotic senator’s wife’.... If I—as a prominent person—was being brushed off by doctors, what about the mother of four in a small rural community whose migraines are never taken seriously.” In 2016, the American Brain Foundation initiated fundraising and marketing activities aimed at the public, with the purpose of making life without brain disease a public cause. The initiative has included transforming the composition of Foundation’s board of directors from 100 percent neurologists

to 50 percent neurologists and 50 percent influential members of the public. This year the Foundation has reached this goal. Cindy McCain is part of a class of five new board members, including James Erwin, executive vice president, Chicago McCain Title Commercial, Houston; Jacqueline A. French, MD, FAAN, NYU Langone School of Medicine; Frances E. Jensen, MD, FAAN, University of Pennsylvania; and Sean Sansiveri, vice president of business and legal affairs, NFL Players Association. The American Brain Foundation’s incoming officers are Chair David W. Dodick, MD, FAAN, Mayo Clinic Arizona; Vice Chair Susan Schneider Williams, fine artist; Treasurer James Essey, TemPositions Group; and Secretary Shafali Jeste, MD, FAAN, UCLA Semel Institute. 

J OIN US

Support the important work to cure brain diseases and disorders while enjoying an evening at the Hilton Toronto. Join us to celebrate a community driven to find a cure. For tickets and more information, please visit AmericanBrainFoundation.org/C2C.

SIDNEY CROSBY Pittsburgh Penguins Commitment to Cures Award

EMILIA CLARKE Actor Public Leadership in Neurology Award

Careers.aan.com

Visit the AAN’s Neurology Career Center to view hundreds of additional jobs and sign up for customized, confidential notifications when positions of interest are added.

West Virginia Neurology Opening Join one of the best health care providers and teaching hospital in the state. Neurology: Competitive salary with Sign on, Paid time away from the practice, 401K, Paid occurrence-based malpractice, CME stipend, Health/dental/vision, life insurance, Share call coverage, H1B candidates accepted. Wild and wonderful . . . almost heaven. The cultural, recreational, and business capital of the Appalachian Mountains. Excellent Public and Private Schools. NCAA Division I Intercollegiate Sports Teams. Driving distance for skiing, water sports, hiking, etc. Bike friendly community with a network of trails. Art walks, downtown street festivals and brown bag concert series. Come play—multiple family friendly venues and activities. Timothy Stanley, Direct: (404) 591-4224, (800) 492-7771, tstanleyweb@phg.com; Fax: (404) 591-4224, Cell/Text: (770) 265-2001. Mention code 190812–N.

AANnews® Classified Advertising

he AAN offers a complete package of print, online, T and in-person recruitment advertising opportunities. Visit careers.AAN.com for all AAN options, rates, and deadlines. Ad copy for the March 2020 print edition of AANnews must be submitted by February 1, 2020. The same deadline applies to changes/cancellations. he American Academy of Neurology reserves the T right to decline, withdraw, or edit advertisements at its discretion. Every care is taken to avoid mistakes, but the responsibility for clerical or printer errors does not exceed the cost of the ad.

CareerCenter: 18 NCC Ad, halfpage Placed in AANnews, Brain&Life 8.25 x 5.25 +0.125 bleed, 4C

The American Academy of Neurology is proud to offer

THE #1 CAREER CENTER FOR NEUROLOGISTS

MANAGE

RECRUIT

YOUR CAREER

TOP TALENT

Log on Today! Careers.AAN.com

Dates & Deadlines

JANUARY 2020 THU

FEBRUARY 2020

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

FRI

SAT

MARCH 2020

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

JANUARY 23

Early Deadline: In Conjunction With Meetings at Annual Meeting AAN.com/view/ICW

FEBRUARY 11

Webinar: Position Your Practice for Growth: Best Operational Practices in Your Neurology Business AAN.com/view/pmw20

FEBRUARY 11–16 RITE Exam AAN.com/view/RITE ®

MARCH 5

Early Registration Deadline: 2020 Annual Meeting AAN.com/view/AM20

MARCH 9

Application Deadline: Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Program AAN.com/view/PALF

FEBRUARY 21

Deadline: Brainstorm Video Submission AAN.com/view/brainstorm

FEBRUARY 24–25

Neurology on the Hill Washington, DC MEM: 18 APP Recruitment Ad Ad—Half Page Horizontal> AN AAN.com/view/NOH Placed in AANnews 8.25 x 5.25 +0.125 bleed, 4C

A STRONGER TEAM MEANS STRONGER CARE

Strengthen your ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDER’S knowledge and skills in neurology with special, reduced rate AAN memberships.

Sign your team up today at AAN.com/view/CareTeam

The World’s Largest Neurology Meeting Is Coming to One of the World’s Most Diverse Cities Get ready to experience cutting-edge science covering every specialty, a seemingly endless choice of education and CME, and boundless networking opportunities with colleagues from more than 100 countries around the world.

AAN.com/view/AM20 April 25 – May 1 • Toronto, Canada