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The AAN is announcing a new distinction for its non-physician members who work as a part of a physician-led care team and demonstrate exemplary engagement in the AAN and an ongoing commitment to professionalism and leadership in the field of neurology.

The Distinguished Colleague of the AAN (“DAAN”) designation, while not a class of membership, is a formal designation that will soon be available to Researcher, Advanced Practice Provider, and Business Administrator members of the AAN. Applications will open in the summer of 2025.

“The AAN advocates for physician-led neurology care teams and recommends the clinical leader of a multi-disciplinary team be a Board-certified neurologist,” said Carlayne Jackson, MD, FAAN, President of the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú. “The AAN also recognizes and supports the expanded collaborative role that Researchers, Advanced Practice Providers, and Business Administrators play in physician-led neurological care, advances in neurological research, and their engagement as members of the AAN.”

The integration of Researchers, Advanced Practice Providers, and Business Administrators in physician-led neurology care teams creates a model of care that is crucial to improving access, quality, and continuity of care of people with neurological disease.

“Given the current shortage of neurologists, this model of a physician-led care team is crucial to helping our patients. Through the DAAN distinction, the AAN is recognizing long-standing non-physician AAN members who have not only demonstrated exemplary engagement in the AAN but have also secured special achievement in their careers,” said Jackson.

The AAN’s prestigious and long-standing Fellow of the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú, or FAAN, program will continue and be available only to AAN members who are Board-certified neurologists and other physicians.

If approved during the 2025 AAN Business Meeting on April 5, 2025, a bylaws amendment would expand current voting member categories to allow DAAN members to vote on any matter during any annual or special meeting of the Academy and also allow for no more than one DAAN member to serve in an elected position on the Board of Directors (if nominated). All AAN officers (President, President Elect, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Immediate Past President) must be Fellows of the AAN.

See frequently asked questions

DAAN qualifications

The Distinguished Colleague of the AAN (“DAAN”) designation, while not a class of membership, is a formal distinction available to Advanced Practice Providers, Business Administrator, and Researcher members that recognizes exemplary AAN member engagement; special achievement in the neurosciences, the clinical practice of neurology, or academic or administrative neurology; and an ongoing commitment to professionalism and leadership in the field of neurology. Colleagues may be selected only from among Advanced Practice Provider, Business Administrator, and Researcher candidates who meet the below qualifying criteria. The Member Engagement Committee reserves the right to determine whether any aspect of the qualifying criterion below is satisfied, on a case-by-case basis.

Professional standing

Applicants’ overall professional reputation and standing, as determined by the AAN Board of Directors or AAN Executive Committee, must qualify the candidate for this formal distinction, which includes candidates who:

• Comply with the AAN’s Code of Professional Conduct;

• Have not been reprimanded, censored, or otherwise disciplined by, or been subject to a corrective action agreement or plan, termination, suspension, restriction, or non-renewal with, any licensing or certifying board, peer review organization, third party payer, clinic, hospital, medical staff, or any health-related agency or organization, and does not have such a review or investigation pending, with respect to their professional license, clinical privileges, or employment. The Member Engagement Committee, in their sole discretion, may waive this requirement if the candidate provides an acceptable explanation; and

• Do not have pending charges or have not been charged with, or pled guilty, been indicated, or found guilty of a felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor (other than a minor traffic violation), or other offense. The Member Engagement Committee, at their sole discretion, may waive this requirement if the candidate provides an acceptable explanation.

AAN membership status

In most cases, applicants must be a current Advanced Practice Provider, Business Administrator, or Researcher member of the AAN with no less than seven consecutive years at the time of application submission and after completion of their education (includes graduate-level education that leads to a master’s degree or similar based on the applicant’s profession for APP members, undergraduate/graduate level training for Business Administrators). The Member Engagement Committee, at their sole discretion, may waive the consecutive years’ requirement if the candidate’s membership has briefly lapsed because of hardship or other exceptional circumstances.

Meeting participation

Applicants located in the United States or Canada must have attended no fewer than five in-person or virtual AAN Annual Meetings, Regional Conferences, Neurology on the Hill, AAN Leadership Programs, or other comparable AAN meetings after becoming an AAN member. Applicants located outside the United States or Canada must have attended no fewer than three in-person or virtual AAN Annual Meetings, Regional Conferences, Neurology on the Hill, AAN Leadership Programs, or other comparable AAN meetings after becoming an AAN member.

Special achievement

Applicants must demonstrate special achievement in the neurosciences, the clinical practice of neurology, the business of neurology, or academic or administrative neurology pursuant to the following criteria. The candidate’s cumulative body of achievement is considered on a case-by-case basis from the criteria of any, or all, of the following areas of special achievement:

• Academic/practice achievement: Significant and continuing service as an educator, researcher, care provider, coordinator, or independent practice in the neurosciences or neurology, or significant contributions to medical literature or the business of neurology practice.
  • Examples of service as an educator include holding a teaching appointment of associate professor or comparable status with evidence of significant contribution to medical or business-related literature. Both the publication of papers and presentations at national meetings will be considered in reviewing a teacher's contributions to medical or business-related literature.
  • Examples of scientific or clinical research include the acquisition of new knowledge through hypothesis driven original work in neurosciences; clinical, epidemiological, or education research; or other areas of investigation such as patient safety, guideline development, and health care disparities. Examples include success obtaining peer reviewed funding and peer-reviewed publications in medical administration or scientific journals.
  • Examples of leading in the practice of neurology include contributions to business knowledge practices; financial management practices; developing policies that influence public health; establishing community-based programs that increase neurological care within the community; aiding in the development of evidence-based standard practices; and ensuring compliance with health care system regulations, patient quality standards, technology, and other related contributions.
• Clinical achievement: Significant and continuing community, state, regional, national, or international service in clinical neurology above and beyond the requirements of the applicant’s employment contract or activities which promote neurology or the neurosciences. Examples of clinical achievement include significant dedication of time and effort to public education outside practice; practice in an underserved community or for an underserved patient population; charitable or volunteered medical services inside or outside practice; service to health or medical-related community service organizations; public relations explaining neurology; and awards from medical or community organizations.
• Academy leadership: Significant and continuing service to the Academy in a leadership position. Examples of Academy leadership include service as a member of an Academy committee, subcommittee, or workgroup, leadership of a section, or volunteer service on another official Academy body, including BrainPAC; as a member of an editorial board of an AAN publication; as a member of an AAN guideline panel; as an AAN spokesperson on a neurology subject; or as a key advocate on state or federal issues impacting neurology, including participation in an annual Neurology on the Hill event.
• Non-AAN leadership: Significant and continuing service in a prominent leadership position as an officer in a state, regional, national, or international neurologic society, or service in a leadership position with a hospital, health organization, medical administration organization, government board or other entity, or medical society, or a local organization that advances neurology in the community. Examples of non-AAN leadership include service as an officer of an organization board; Chief of Staff at a hospital or member of a hospital board of directors; chair of a hospital committee or department; director of a resident, fellowship, or clerkship program; executive health care leadership roles including CEO, officer in a state medical association, or advisor to a President’s Council on Health.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion: Demonstrated commitment, and efforts made, to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their practice and volunteer service. These efforts may include engaging in anti-racism and bias training, advocating for changes in academic, governmental, and institutional policies that contribute to systematic racism, and participating in research studies addressing health care disparities in neurologic care.
• Community service: Consistent, documented voluntary community service related to neurology.
• Other special achievements: Other special or unusual achievements, as determined by the AAN Board of Directors or AAN Executive Committee upon recommendation by the Member Engagement Committee.

Distinguished Colleagues of the AAN may use the initials, “DAAN,” after their name.

Failure to maintain the above Professional Standing criteria may result in removal of DAAN status, in the sole discretion of the AAN. Approved Distinguished Colleagues are obligated to notify the AAN if at any time they no longer meet the Professional Standing criteria.

Failure to maintain AAN membership will result in loss of the DAAN designation. If a member opts to rejoin the AAN, they may re-apply to become a DAAN of the AAN when they are again eligible.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between a FAAN and DAAN?
The AAN's Fellow (FAAN) is a prestigious designation for neurologists and physician affiliates. Fellow status acknowledges exemplary work and achievements in the neurosciences, the clinical practice of neurology or academic/administrative neurology, in the AAN, and in the community. It excludes Advanced Practice Provider, Business Administrator, and Researchers.

The DAAN designation is reserved for all non-physician AAN members including Advanced Practice Provider, Business Administrator, and Researchers. The DAAN is a prestigious designation that recognizes a member’s commitment to the field of neurology and the AAN.

Why would members want to apply for DAAN status?
Achieving DAAN status is a way for non-physician AAN members to show their strong commitment to the field of neurology and the neurosciences, and their commitment to the AAN. They will be joining the AAN's most prestigious and esteemed category for non-physician members. 

Additionally, it is a way to have their important voices heard on the issues that matter to them and the unique challenges that they face as a part of a physician-led care team.

If approved during the 2025 AAN Business Meeting on April 5, 2025, a bylaws amendment would allow DAAN members to vote on annual or special meetings of the Academy and allow for a DAAN representative in a non-officer role on the AAN Board of Directors.

Could a Distinguished Colleague of the AAN (DAAN) become AAN President?
All AAN officers (President, President Elect, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Immediate Past President) must be Fellows of the AAN.

Could a Distinguished Colleague of the AAN serve on the AAN Board of Directors?
If approved during the 2025 AAN Business Meeting on April 5, 2025, a bylaws amendment would expand current member voting categories to allow DAAN members to vote on any matter during any annual or special meeting of the Academy and also allow for no more than one DAAN member to serve in an elected position on the Board of Directors (if nominated). All AAN officers (President, President Elect, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Immediate Past President) must be Fellows of the AAN.

Could a Distinguished Colleague of the AAN vote on AAN business matters?
If approved during the 2025 AAN Business Meeting on April 5, 2025, a bylaws amendment calls for the only individuals entitled to vote on any matter during any annual or special business meeting of the Academy shall be Academy members holding the Fellow or Distinguished Colleague designation, Neurologist members, and Honorary and Senior members who had voting privileges in their most recent previous category of membership, unless the Board of Directors authorizes other membership categories or designations to vote.

Why is the AAN creating the DAAN distinction?
The integration of researchers, advanced practice providers, and business administrators in physician-led neurology care teams creates a model of care that is crucial to improving access, quality, and continuity of care of people with neurological disease.

Given the current shortage of neurologists, this model of a physician-led care team is crucial to helping our patients. Through the DAAN distinction, the AAN is recognizing long-standing non-physician AAN members who have not only demonstrated exemplary engagement in the AAN but have also secured special achievement in their careers and demonstrated significant commitments to advancing the field of neurology.

Why are you including researchers as DAAN?
Fewer than 20 Researcher members had secured FAAN status since the distinction was offered to Researcher members over a decade ago, and those members will still be allowed to maintain their FAAN status. Moving forward, FAAN will be available only to physician members and DAAN will be available to non-physician members, including Researcher members of the AAN.

What is the AAN’s position on advanced practice providers?
The AAN’s position is to continue to advocate for physician-led neurology care teams. The AAN recommends the clinical leader of a multidisciplinary team be a Board-certified neurologist. The AAN also recognizes and supports the expanded collaborative role that APPs play in neurologic care, while emphasizing APPs do not replace the need for neurologists.

While the role of APPs in practice cannot replace the need for neurologists, the AAN supports the expanded collaborative role that APPs play within physician-led neurology care teams. APPs are crucial to improve access and continuity of care for patients while under the direction of a Board-certified neurologist.

View the 2020 AAN Position Statement on Neurology Advanced Practice Providers.

Should advanced practice providers be able to practice without a physician leader?
No, the AAN’s updated position statement continues to advocate for physician-led neurology care teams. This position remains unchanged. The AAN recommends that within neurology-specific practices, the clinical leader of a multidisciplinary team be a Board-certified neurologist.