Jones Named 2023 President’s Award Recipient

AAN President Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN, has honored Elaine C. Jones, MD, FAAN, with the 2023 President’s Award. Avitzur praised Jones, who “has been a dedicated member of the AAN for the past 27 years, during which time she has chaired the Government Relations Committee and the Coding and Payment Policy Subcommittee; served on the board of directors as well as numerous committees, work groups, task forces, and sections; and led the Gender Disparity Task Force. Her dedication to the AAN since her involvement in 1996, and to global volunteerism since 2011 when she first traveled to Port Au Prince, has been exceptional. She helped develop a network of neurologists who went to Haiti and trained local medical doctors and team members on how to care for neurologic patients, improving the management of stroke, Parkinson’s disease, migraine, and epilepsy. She returned regularly for eight years, volunteering her time to grow adult and child hospital services, and after being unable to travel in person, she continued to support the local Haitian medical community via telehealth.

“She has been a consummate advocate in neurology, and her generosity of service and altruism has earned the universal admiration of the many colleagues who have worked with her

Jones

over the years. I am honored to present her with the 2023 President’s Award.”

Jones stated, “I am extremely honored to receive this year’s AAN President’s Award. However, it is thanks to the opportunities provided by the AAN that I am even eligible for this award. Early on in my career I stumbled on the AAN’s new program for leadership training, the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, and I immediately discovered the nurturing and family environment that the AAN offers. I always assumed professional organizations were meant for academic and scientific experts, and someone like me in a solo, private practice just went for the educational opportunities. However, it is clear the Academy supports all members of the neurological community with advocacy, business resources, and life/wellness needs, along with the excellent educational opportunities. The roles I have held at the Academy and the friendships I have made have truly enhanced my professional and personal lives. I am grateful to the Academy for supporting me and allowing me to get involved in the advancement of neurology both in the US and abroad.” 

Support Our AAN Members in Türkiye and Syria

According to these principles, the AAN should engage in assisting neurology communities during times of humanitarian need when the event directly impacts neurologists and their care of neurology patients and be guided by humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.

Coming together as a neurology community in times of need to help one another and deliver on our mission to provide the highest quality patientcentered neurologic care is what makes the AAN a truly exceptional organization.

Thank you for supporting our colleagues in Syria and Türkiye during these difficult days and being a part of our neurology community.

Sincerely,

Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN President, AAN oavitzur@aan.com @OrlyA on Twitter

With more than 250 AAN members in Türkiye and Syria, we acknowledge the incredible devastation caused by this week’s earthquake and the ensuing hardship our AAN members are facing providing neurologic care in this region. While we continue to learn more about how the AAN can support our members in Türkiye and Syria during this time, we would like to encourage other AAN members to consider making a donation to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies or other reputable charities. In recognition of the many humanitarian needs across the world, the AAN recently adopted guiding principles for how the AAN consistently responds to global events requiring humanitarian assistance.