History Project Documents Memories of AAN and Neurology Profession

Efforts are underway to preserve the history of modern neurology and the role of the AAN in supporting the profession by interviewing significant leaders and senior members for a new AAN Oral History Archive.

Former AAN President Joseph Foley, MD, FAAN, was interviewed by historian Barbara Sommers and Douglas J. Lanska, MD, FAAN.

In December 2011, Douglas J. Lanska, MD, FAAN, past chair of the AAN History Section and consulting historian Barbara Sommers interviewed former President Joseph Foley, MD, FAAN, at his home in Cleveland. Foley, who served in that position from 1963 to 1965, passed away in July 2012.

Read Dr. Foley's interview transcript. (.pdf)

Sommers and Heidi L. Roth, MD, interviewed Canadian neuroscientist Brenda Milner, CC, OQ, DSc, PhD, a pioneer in the field of neuropsychology and in the study of memory and other cognitive functions. Milner, age 93, remains active in her research at the Cognitive Neuroscience Unit of the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University. "Interviews such as these with Drs. Foley and Milner give more fullness and depth to their work and singular insights into their colleagues and the eras of their activities," said Lanska.

Future Interviews

The History Section will select prospective interview subjects on an annual basis. To suggest someone, contact Peter J. Koehler, MD, PhD, FAAN, leader of the Oral History Work Group, at pkoehler@neurohistory.nl.