145th Annual Meeting of ANA to feature Pre-event Social Justice Symposium

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ, September 22, 2020 — The American Neurological Association (ANA) will host a Special Pre-Meeting Symposium on Social Justice in Academic Neurology prior to the start of the 145^th Annual Meeting. The Symposium, entitled The Impact of Social Injustice on Health Outcomes and Healthcare Delivery will present an in-depth exploration of such topics as the impact of social determinants of health, adverse health outcomes for people of color, and health-care policy. In addition, participants will join interactive breakout sessions designed to develop actionable steps to address inequity within academic neurology and neuroscience. The symposium will take place immediately prior to the start of the Meeting, (ANA2020) on Saturday, October 3, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. The Meeting will be held October 4 – 9, 2020. 

“The ANA is challenging itself to become a champion of 21st century academic neurology and neuroscience,” observed ANA President, Justin C. McArthur, MBBS, MPH of Johns Hopkins University. “Given that its past was marred by systemic racism, the ANA is working hard to find new ways to rectify these exclusionary practices, and is redoubling its efforts around inclusion and diversity by educating the neurological community and implementing organizational changes.”

According to Dr. McArthur, by launching the meeting with an examination of social justice in the field, ANA is demonstrating its firm commitment to a more inclusive future.

“Our goal with this session is to explore what may be uncomfortable issues, confront our past, and challenge previously-held beliefs and practices. We will identify actions that we can take as an organization, and as individuals, to make meaningful change for academics, practitioners and patients,” said Dr. McArthur.

The Impact of Social Injustice on Health Outcomes and Healthcare Delivery will feature:

PRESENTATION TITLE: Chasing the Boogieman: The Pathophysiology of Racism

Speaker: Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins, PhD, University of Pennsylvania

 

PRESENTATION TITLE: Understanding and Prevention of Healthcare Disparities

Speaker: Harolyn M. E. Belcher, MD, MHS, Kennedy Krieger Institute

 

PRESENTATION TITLE: Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Health Disparities: Progress and Future Needs

Speaker: Renuka Tipirneni, MD, MSc, University of Michigan

 

PRESENTATION TITLE: Interrogating the Intransigence of Intellectual Injustice: Examining Barriers and Exploring Solutions for a More Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive ANA

Speaker: Valencia Walker, MD, PhD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Ohio State University College of Medicine

 

PRESENTATION TITLE: ANA’s Commitment to Social Justice

Speaker: Frances E. Jensen, MD, University of Pennsylvania

 

Special breakout sessions will include:

• Women of the ANA: Let’s Talk About Race
• How to Improve Implicit Bias Training
• Fostering Diversity in Academic Neurology and Neuroscience Panel

 

About ANA 2020

This year’s meeting is the first in the Association’s 145-year history to be conducted virtually, out of concerns for the health and wellbeing of participants from around the world. More than 1,000 members are expected to attend the meeting, which will take place from October 4 – 9, 2020. To register for ANA2020, ANA members may access the registration form HERE.  CME is available for eligible participants. The American Neurological Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The American Neurological Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

A detailed Advance Program is online at  https://2020.myana.org

A special “Highlights of the Meeting” roundtable for journalists will take place October 8 at 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. EDT.

Follow the meeting live using #ANA2020 on Twitter @TheNewANA1, on Facebook @AmericanNeurologicalAssociation, or on Instagram @ananeurology. 

ABOUT THE ANA

The American Neurological Association is a professional society of academic neurologists and neuroscientists devoted to advancing the goals of academic neurology; to training and educating neurologists and other physicians in the neurologic sciences; and to expanding both our understanding of diseases of the nervous system and our ability to treat them.

For more information, visit www.myana.org or follow @TheNewANA1 on Twitter, @AmericanNeurologicalAssociation on Facebook, or @ananeurology on Instagram.   

###

EDITORS’ NOTE: For additional information on the Annual Meeting, or to register for the special hour-long media roundtable taking place October 8, 2-3 p.m. EDT, journalists may contact:

Julia Brannan-Rauch

201-725-7375

[email protected]