MINNEAPOLIS —The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, has elected Natalia S. Rost, MD, MPH, FAAN, FAHA, as its 39th president. Rost is professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, and the C. Miller Fisher Endowed Chair in Stroke Research and former chief of the stroke division at Massachusetts General Hospital. Rost succeeds Carlayne E. Jackson, MD, FAAN, who completed her two-year term as president during the recent AAN Annual Meeting.
“I applaud Dr. Jackson for her leadership, and I am thrilled to take the helm at the American Academy of Neurology as we forge ahead to implement our bold, new strategic plan with a mission of improving brain health for all,” said Rost. “I look forward to advancing the AAN’s strategic priorities with our vibrant community of more than 40,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals. Neurologists are the experts in brain health and are uniquely positioned to help people optimize their brain health throughout their lives.”
Rost has been actively involved in the AAN for more than 25 years and has served on the AAN Board of Directors since 2017. Rost has held a key leadership role in the AAN’s Brain Health Initiative, serving on the Brain Health Committee from 2021-2025, most recently as Vice Chair. She also served as Chair of the Science Committee from 2017-2023, overseeing all scientific content presented at the AAN Annual Meeting. Rost’s other contributions include serving on the Meeting Management Committee, Clinical Research Subcommittee, Research Program Subcommittee, Leadership for Women Subcommittee, Graduate Education Subcommittee and Undergraduate Education Subcommittee.
Rost is internationally recognized for her expertise in vascular neurology, neuroimaging of cerebrovascular disease, and big-data science applications to personalized clinical outcome prediction in stroke. As a clinician-scientist at the helm of a research program dedicated to reducing the global impact of stroke-related disability, Rost is the Massachusetts General Hospital Research Scholar and Principal Investigator of DISCOVERY, a national clinical research network funded jointly by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and National Institute on Aging to address cognitive impairment and dementia after stroke.
A graduate of Boston University School of Medicine, Rost also holds a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard School of Public Health. Rost trained in neurology and vascular neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital residency and fellowship programs. Rost is the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, co-author of the Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Neurology and serves as associate editor of the journal Stroke. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and American Heart Association, former president of the Boston Board of the American Heart Association and past scientific chair of the NINDS Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias Summit.
The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 40,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN’s mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.
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