Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum
About the Forum
The Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum provides advocacy fundamentals we can immediately use no matter what our particular passion. I think sometimes people associate advocacy with political involvement but attending PALF makes you aware that there are many different ways to be an advocate and many different tools at our disposal. It also connects you with colleagues who have similar interests or who have faced similar challenges.
Lynn Rankin, MD
2007 Graduate
President, Iowa Neurological Association
What is the Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum?
The Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum is an award-winning advocacy leadership skills-development program, created by the American Academy of Neurology. The program is designed to train selected neurologists and neurology residents to be effective advocates for their profession and their patients at the local, state, and national levels.
This four-day program is highly interactive and offers challenging workshops in effective legislative advocacy, public and media relations, and advocacy action planning.
The Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum honors the memory of AAN Board of Directors Member Donald M. Palatucci, MD. His spirited efforts as an advocate for his patients and profession will continue to inspire future champions for neurology through this premier program.
What skills will I learn?
The Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum will equip you with the tools you need to be an effective leader. As a Forum participant you will:
- Develop leadership skills using proven techniques
- Acquire advanced communication and grassroots advocacy skills
- Understand your role in the process for change
- Empower and motivate your peers to join you in your advocacy efforts
- Learn about advocacy experiences from the "Class of 2006"
What is expected of Forum participants?
Advocacy Leader trainees are required to actively participate in the program by attending all of the planned sessions, workshops and activities, completing an advocacy action plan, reporting on their activities in the advocacy blogs, and serving as a "key contact" for the Academy throughout the year on vital local, state, and national issues.
Who can apply?
The AAN is seeking applicants who possess strong leadership potential and a clear passion for patient and professional advocacy. Junior, Associate, and Active members in good standing at the American Academy of Neurology may apply for the Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum.
How do I apply?
Members apply by providing their background information, a summary of their advocacy and leadership experience, and responses to the following application questions:
- Why do you want to be a Neurology Advocate?
- How do you plan to use the advocacy leadership skills and training that you receive in the neurology community?
- How have you demonstrated leadership skills?
Application Deadline: September 16, 2007
Who will be selected?
The AAN will select approximately 30 members for the training program, typically twenty-seven US members and three international members.
What is the cost to me?
The AAN will cover your travel expenses, hotel accommodations, and meals during the Forum. Any other expenses are the responsibility of program participants.
Are there any other leadership-development opportunities after the first year of training?
Graduates from the Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum are eligible to be considered as an Advisor. The Advisor program is an advanced leadership development track that provides training on how to coach individuals and institutions through the change process.
Up to 14 Advocacy Leaders from previous Forums will be selected each year to participate as Advisors in the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum.