Sandra Olson, MD, was elected president of the American Academy of Neurology at the AAN 55th Annual Meeting, held March 29 -- April 5 in Honolulu, Hawaii. During her term, Olson hopes to expand the benefits of the AAN's key programs in science, education and member support, while emphasizing professionalism through life-long learning, ethics and patient care initiatives.
"We'll continue to provide the world's leading neurology meeting and scientific journal, as we increase opportunities for education and assistance for advocacy efforts on local, national and international levels," Olson said. "The future of the AAN is based on a commitment to both members and their patients."
Olson has previously held key leadership roles within the AAN. She has chaired the AAN Foundation, and served on the board of directors and several committees of the Foundation and the AAN. She is also active in many national and local medical associations.
"Dr. Olson brings years of medical association leadership to her new role as president of the AAN. She has been president of her county and state societies and has gained the respect of her peers at all levels," said Catherine M. Rydell, executive director of the AAN. "I'm thrilled to be working with such a dynamic and well-respected national leader."
Olson has been an attending physician with Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago since 1969 and is a professor of clinical neurology at Feinberg Medical School of Northwestern University. She said that she believes in "strength in numbers," and would continue efforts to partner with other neurological groups.
The first woman to hold the office of AAN president, Olson succeeds Stanley Fahn, MD, who served from 2001 to 2003.
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 18,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, autism and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit its web site at www.aan.com.
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