Advocacy Committee
AAN COMMITTEES
Recommends priorities for the Academy's federal and state advocacy agendas and directs member efforts to influence health policy.
Chair: Bruce H. Cohen, MD, FAAN
Vice Chair: Michael E. Markowski, DO, FAAN
Staff Liaison: Amanda Becker, CAE, Senior Director, Policy and Practice
Job Description
The Advocacy Committee provides strategic direction to execute the AAN’s policy priorities at all levels of government. It employs a holistic approach to maximize the AAN’s impact, including taking legislative and regulatory action, forging partnerships, engaging advocates, and fostering issue campaigns, as needed. It positions the AAN as a key player in Washington, DC, and in state capitals in advocating for the profession and patients with neurological disease.
Committee Responsibilities
- Use analytic tools to inform advocacy strategies and to customize key advocacy initiatives
- Develop and guide the implementation of issue campaigns for key priorities
- Evaluate advocacy tools and methods to refine future strategy
- Identify key stakeholders and recommend partnerships needed to achieve policy priorities
Individual Responsibilities
- Attend two in-person meetings and two to three virtual meetings or calls each year
- Participate annually in Neurology on the Hill or AAN Legislative Summit
- Attend advocacy events during the AAN’s Annual Meeting, as schedule permits
- Be familiar with major health care policy issues, including those specific to neurology
- Cultivate personal relationships with key policymakers
- Participate in discussions and votes on the Committee listserv
- Help educate AAN members about advocacy activities and programs
Selection/Appointment
Committee members are appointed by the AAN President Elect and may serve up to three, two-year terms. The chair and vice-chair may serve up to an additional three, two-year terms.
Meeting Schedule
The Advocacy Committee meets in January and in September.
Estimated Time Commitment
Eight hours per month in addition to two in-person meetings and two-to-three virtual events/calls a year.
Committee Composition
The Advocacy Committee is made up of 17 voting members, including:
- A chair and vice chair
- The chair of each subcommittee of the Advocacy Committee:
- Health Policy Subcommittee
- Advocacy Engagement Subcommittee
- The chair of the BrainPAC Executive Committee
- The chair of the AAN's Delegation to the AMA
- 11 at-large members
- Members with a strong advocacy experience