Medical Students
- SIGN Chapters to Absorb CO-SIGN Members in 2010
- Toronto Accommodation Options Available to Students
- Medical Student Benefit
- Animals in Research
- SIGN
- Medical School
- Residency
- Family Practice Curriculum in Neurology
- American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
SIGN Chapters to Absorb CO-SIGN Members in 2010
The AAN Board of Directors has made the decision to suspend the College Student Interest Group in Neurology (CO-SIGN) program, effective December 31, 2009.
The program was established in 2001 to provide existing SIGN chapters the means to reach out to college students to promote an interest in the field of neurology. The program was to provide college students access to the wealth of knowledge, experience, and activities shared by medical students, residents, and faculty, while cultivating their interest in neurology as a possible career choice.
The Academy is encouraging CO-SIGN and SIGN programs in the same geographical area to work closely with one another. Contact Cheryl Alementi at calementi@aan.com for assistance in finding CO-SIGN and SIGN chapters in the same geographical area in order to work together. CO-SIGN chapters are also encouraged to work with their institution's neuroscience department to develop ideas for possible activities.
The Academy encourages SIGN chapters to reach out to their area CO-SIGN counterparts during this transition period and to help continue learning opportunities for college students interested in pursuing careers in neurology.
For more information, contact Cheryl Alementi at calementi@aan.com or (651) 695-2737.
Toronto Accommodation Options Available to Students
The AAN has set aside rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown, the Delta Chelsea and the Strathcona for residents, fellows and medical students. If you still require accommodations in a lower price range, there are also three youth hostels in Toronto you may want to consider: Hostelling International Toronto Youth, Canada Back Packers and Global Village. Please note that the AAN does not have rooms held at these locations nor have the facilities been inspected by the AAN or their Housing Agent, Convention Management Resources (CMR). The AAN and CMR do not endorse or accept liability if you choose to make a reservation at a youth hostel.
Medical Student Benefit: Free Online Access to Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology®
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) would like to announce a new benefit for medical student members. All medical student members of the AAN will now receive free online access to current and back issues of Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology®. In addition, one print issue a year will be mailed each fall, beginning in October 2009.
Continuum, the AAN's premier CME self-study program, is published six times a year. Each issue provides an up-to-date, clinically relevant review of a single neurologic topic and includes diagnostic and treatment outlines, clinical case studies, ethics and practice sections, a detailed patient management problem, and a multiple-choice self-assessment examination. A recent study showed that medical students who read Continuum have statistically significant increases in medical knowledge of neurology.*
Upcoming Continuum issues include:
Acute Ischemic Stroke, December 2008
Myasthenic Disorders and ALS, February 2009
Neuro-ophthalmology, April 2009
Neuroendocrinology, June 2009
Critical Care Neurology, August 2009
Medical student members will also have online access to Quintessentials®, published in two issues of Continuum a year. In Quintessentials, a practice-based program, hypothetical case vignettes along with practice-focused questions are presented, allowing individuals to compare their decisions to expert opinion and practice guidelines. While geared toward practitioners, Quintessentials may be of interest to medical students interested in learning more about the practice of neurology.
In order to take advantage of this member benefit, students must be AAN members. Medical students must reapply for AAN membership on a yearly basis and will need to submit an application each year to be able to access the site. Medical students can access Continuum online. They must be logged in to view the content.
* Isaacson RS. Evaluating the effectiveness of Continuum as a teaching tool for residents and medical students: a pilot study. Neurology 2008;70(Suppl):A13.
Animals in Neurologic Research
In recognition of the need for the appropriate and humane use of animals in research, and in response to the growing pressure from other organizations that would deny Americans the health benefits evolving from animal research, the American Academy of Neurology, as a professional society including basic and clinical researchers and caregivers, endorses and supports the appropriate and responsible use of animals as experimental subjects. Learn more.
SIGN
The Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) program is a network of more than 150 chapters in medical schools across the United States and Canada. SIGN fosters medical student interest in neurology by providing opportunities to participate in clinical, research, and service activities in neurology, increasing the student's neurologic knowledge, and creating an interest in the AAN.
Free SIGN membership will enable you to:
- Socialize with students, residents, and faculty who share your interest in neurology
- Shadow neurologists
- Attend patient presentations and seminars
- Develop experience, leadership, and valuable contacts
- Join the nationwide SIGN network
- Meet other SIGN members at the Annual Meeting
- Apply for SIGN scholarships:
- $3,000 Summer Research Scholarship
- $1,000 AAN Annual Meeting Scholarship
- Learn more
- Free AAN Membership. Join the AAN.
- PLUS, each SIGN chapter receives $400 a year in expense reimbursement
View the SIGN Reference Manual for more details.
Want to find out more about what to expect from a neurology clerkship program? Or looking for helpful hints on selecting and applying to a residency program?
Read the article Finding Neuroimages on the Internet.
The AAN keeps medical students informed on how to take the next step in the field of neurology.
Medical School
Residency
Family Practice Curriculum in Neurology
- The Family Practice Curriculum in Neurology is a collaborative effort by neurology and family practice faculty. It focuses on developing primary care skills in evaluation and management of common neurological problems.
The curriculum is the result of extensive dialogue between neurologists and family physicians to ensure the material meets the needs of both disciplines. Chapters are co-authored by neurologists and family physicians.
American Medical Student Association
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States.
AMSA is a student-governed, national organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With a membership of more than 62,000 medical students, premedical students, interns, residents, and practicing physicians from across the country, AMSA continues its commitment to improving medical training and the nation's health. Their magazine, The New Physician, will bring a smile to your face and provide a needed diversion from studying. There is also a Neurology Interest Group open to AMSA members. Find out more about AMSA.
