FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON January 31, 2005
American Academy of Neurology Program Receives Grassroots Award from Public Affairs Council
St. Paul, Minn. -
The American Academy of Neurology received a Grassroots Innovation Award from the Public Affairs Council during the National Grassroots Conference held last week in St. Pete Beach, Fla. The Academy received the award specifically for its Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, which provides formal advocacy training and leadership development to neurologists each year. Based in Washington, D.C., the Public Affairs Council is the leading association for public affairs professionals. The Grassroots Innovation Awards annually reward the implementation of creative concepts by programs representing association, corporate, and technology categories. The Academy was selected for the association category by a committee of top grassroots professionals. The Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum was established in 2003 to empower neurologists to advocate on behalf of their patients for sensible healthcare reforms on local, regional, and national levels. Earlier this month, the third annual Forum prepared 31 neurologists from 20 states and two countries to serve as Advocacy Leaders. Courses covered media training, facilitating organizational change, and legislative advocacy training. “The commitment of our Forum graduates to speak with strong voices for people with neurological disorders is what makes this program exceptional,” said Catherine M. Rydell, executive director and chief executive officer of the American Academy of Neurology. “The training they receive gives them tools to be patient advocates and leaders in their communities, their states, and the national arena.” The Grassroots Innovation Award is the second award to recognize the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum. Last July, the Academy was elected to the 2004 “Associations Advance America” Honor Roll because of the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum.