AAN Leadership Development
Cultivating leaders. Building neurology's future.
Practice Leadership
Leadership Programs
The AAN Practice Leadership Development Program engages solo and small group practitioners through the development of knowledge and skills to better manage their practice as well as lead staff and office management. These participants will help shape the future of neurology within the AAN and their communities. The program’s convenient format is designed to provide high-quality training while accommodating the demanding schedules of busy practitioners.
Timeline
Applications open: April 3, 2025
Applications close: May 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT.
Why choose the AAN’s Practice Leadership Program?
The program’s convenient format was designed to provide high-quality training while accommodating the restricted schedules of busy practitioners.
Michael E. Markowski, DO, FAAN, on the Practice Leadership Program
What to expect – program overview
The program will kick off November 5-6, 2025, and participants will graduate April 17-20, 2026.
- Coaching: Monthly 1:1 coaching sessions throughout the program with a consultant.
- Mentoring: Participants will be matched with a mentor who is a seasoned member of the AAN and has regularly scheduled contact.
- Group calls: Time to network and discuss current practice topics determined by participants.
- Face-to-face retreats/graduation: In-person participation at the program kickoff, and attendance and graduation at the 2026 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. (April 17-20).
- Engagement with AAN: Learn about the AAN's governance, committees, and mission/vision and engage with leadership throughout the program.
- Alumni community: At the completion of the program, engage with others in our exclusive leadership alumni community.
- Pre-kickoff: Introductory phone call along with other pre-work and pre-reading.
How to apply – eligibility and application requirements
Eligibility
Eligible applicant must be a certified neurologist and active AAN member residing in the United States.*
- Applicant must also be in one of the following practice settings: solo practice, neurology group, or in a neurology/multi-specialty group.
The AAN Leadership Development Programs intentionally aim to choose a broad range of applicants that reflect the diversity of both the population and the communities we engage with. We strongly encourage applicants from various backgrounds to apply, embracing diversity in factors such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and individuals with disabilities.
*if you have unique circumstances and feel you are an exception to the eligibility criteria for this program, please contact us.
Application requirements
AAN members interested in participating in the program should submit the following documents in PDF format, in addition to your responses to the essay questions, as part of the application process:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Recommendation from a colleague
Practice Leadership Program grading rubric
- Leadership potential (weight = 40%)
- Self-awareness and understanding of leadership (weight = 30%)
- Alignment with program and leadership developmental needs (weight = 30%)
Selection
Preference will be given to applicants who have not completed any of the intensive AAN Leadership Programs. We consider the diversity and experience of the whole cohort beyond individual attributes to provide the best learning environment.
Look what participants are saying!
Testimonial
The Practice Leadership Program was a very unique opportunity for me to collaborate with young physicians around the country all coming together for a common goal: to grow personally and professionally. There were physicians from large clinics, hospitals, and solo practices, all of whom brought a different perspective and new skills to the table when discussing common issues we all face. We learned a lot about ourselves and our emotional intelligence, which continues to help me in my day-to-day interactions with patients and my staff. I'm very grateful to the AAN.
Michael J. Soileau, MD
2020 Practice Leadership Program Graduate
The 2024 Practice Leadership Program is supported in part by:
Advocate level
Associate level
EMD Serono • Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Contact us
For additional information, please contact Chelsea Ochoa, Member Leadership Development and Design Program Manager, at cochoa@aan.com or (612) 928-6094.