Based in Washington, D.C., the Public Affairs Council is the leading association for public affairs professionals. The Grassroots Innovation Awards annually reward the implementation of creative concepts by programs representing association, corporate, and technology categories. The Academy was selected for the association category by a committee of top grassroots professionals.
The Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum was established in 2003 to empower neurologists to advocate on behalf of their patients for sensible healthcare reforms on local, regional, and national levels. Earlier this month, the third annual Forum prepared 31 neurologists from 20 states and two countries to serve as Advocacy Leaders. Courses covered media training, facilitating organizational change, and legislative advocacy training.
"The commitment of our Forum graduates to speak with strong voices for people with neurological disorders is what makes this program exceptional," said Catherine M. Rydell, executive director and chief executive officer of the American Academy of Neurology. "The training they receive gives them tools to be patient advocates and leaders in their communities, their states, and the national arena."
The Grassroots Innovation Award is the second award to recognize the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum. Last July, the Academy was elected to the 2004 "Associations Advance America" Honor Roll because of the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum.
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 18,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke.
For more information about the American Academy of Neurology and the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, visit www.aan.com/advocacy.