Marissa Natelson Love, M.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Neurology, was recently elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). The designation is held at the highest standard of the AAN and “recognizes special achievement in the neurosciences, the clinical practice of neurology, or academy or administrative neurology,” according to the AAN website.
“Fellows are expected to uphold the Academy’s core values, which align well with my own personal values: community, leadership, integrity, professionalism, respect, and commitment to diversity, health equity, anti-racism, and social justice,” Natelson Love said of why she chose to pursue the designation. “I also wanted to be a role model for others in our department who likely qualify but have yet to apply.”
Applicants to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (FAAN) must be a neurologist, physician affiliate, or research member of the Academy for at least seven current, consecutive years at the time of applying, among other qualifications.
Natelson Love encourages others in her field to apply.
“Becoming a Fellow of the AAN can connect you to other opportunities for engagement within the field of neurology outside of the institution as well as a sense of career satisfaction,” she said, adding that interested AAN members can check their member profiles to see how many requirements they may have already fulfilled.
“Then look into some of the opportunities that are funded by the AAN in order to get more involved, like Neurology on the Hill or the leadership training programs. These have provided me with networking opportunities and helped me be a better advocate for myself and the field.”