Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum

January 17–20, 2013, Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, CA

The Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum trains AAN members to advocate for their patients and the profession of neurology. Forum graduates go on to use their skills at the state, local, and national levels and have applied their advocacy action plans to:

• Promote state and federal legislation
• Work with the media
• Obtain financial support for research
• Develop coalitions
• Organize state neurological societies
• Lobby for fair reimbursement
• Help draft position statements that affect future legislation

Watch the following video to get an inside look at the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum.

The Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum's curriculum revolves around three main components. You can apply the following skills wherever you live and practice:

Action Planning

• Develop a road map to guide you toward goal completion
• Learn how to resolve your specific issue
• Break your goal into S.M.A.R.T. steps
  • SMART = Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely

Media Training

• Increase public awareness of your issue
  For example, Mamta B. Singh, MBBS, MD, DM has been featured in several news articles that highlight the need for better treatment of nearly 10 million Indians living with epilepsy.
• Build relationships with local media
  Once reporters view you as a resource, they will keep coming back for more.
• Develop your interview skills and learn how to form your message
  Graduates can succinctly express their core message.
• Feel confident in front of the camera
  The Forum gives Advocates the abilities to confidently answer tough questions.

Grassroots Training

• Understand the legislative outcome your issue requires by learning how government works
• Conduct mock legislative visits
• Learn how to effectively testify in front of a governmental body
• Build relationships with the right people