Marianna Spanaki-Varelas, MD, PhD began advocating for medical societies and physicians on the driving laws in the

state of Michigan after becoming a Palatucci graduate. She stressed the importance of driving reform because the state of Michigan was one of 18 states that did not protect physicians from third party liability if they had completed a report certifying a patient with epilepsy as episode-free after a minimum of six months.
Marianna Spanaki-Varelas, MD, PhD

Review relevant research,

including your own, and ask for copies of scientific studies in advance if you may be asked to provide comment

Plan two to three key talking

points and commit them to memory

Anticipate tough and

controversial questions reporters may ask and reflect on how you will respond

As a result, Dr. Spanaki-Varelas advocacy efforts created two bills that were introduced and signed into law in December 2012 that amended the Public Health Code and the Michigan Vehicle Code. The first bill holds that a physician has no obligation, but the option, to voluntarily report to the Secretary of State or warn third party patients about a patients mental or physical condition that should disqualify the patient from driving. The second bill states that a physician who reports or chooses not to make a report is immune from any criminal or civil liability to the patient or third party.

Read how a story is more

effective than presenting data

Interview with Marianna SpanakiVarelas, MD, PhD ............... Page 2 2013 Neurology on the Hill Alumni Attendees ........................... Page 2

Photo of Michigans Governor Rick Snyder signing the bill.

Acknowledgements ............ Page 3 In the News ......................... Page 3 Advocacy Events at the 2013 Annual Meeting .................. Page 3

(Front center)

(Left to Right) Michigan State Medical Society, Joshua C. Richmond, Steven D. Japinga, Kenneth Elmassian, DO, V. Spanaki, MD, John G. Bizon, MD, Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton), Steven E. Newman, MD, Julie L. Novak, Colin J. Ford

Grants Available to Implement Action Plans ........................ Page 3

What began your interest in advocacy? My involvement with the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum in 2006 was an inspiration and the starting point for my advocacy efforts. Prior to attending the Palatucci Forum, I was not fully aware of the need to be not only a competent neurologist but an effective advocate for my patients and profession.

Sara G. Austin, MD Maureen A. Callaghan, MD, FAAN Farrah N. Daly, MD, MBA Donn Dexter, MD, FAAN John A. Ferro, MD, MS Glen R. Finney, MD Allen L. Gee, MD, PhD, FAAN David Gloss, MD James N. Goldenberg, MD Raghav Govindarajan, MD Gary J. Harpold, MD, FAAN John D. Hixson, MD Anna D. Hohler, MD, FAAN Steven J. Holtz, MD, FAAN Carlayne E. Jackson, MD, FAAN Todd J. Janus, PhD, MD, FAAN Nicholas E. Johnson, MD Elaine C. Jones, MD, FAAN K.A. Kelts, MD, PhD, FAAN Aunali S. Khaku, MD Brett M. Kissela, MD, FAAN Michael J. Kitchell, MD Mark A. Kozinn, MD, FAAN Alan H. Kurland, MD Daniel G. Larriviere, MD, JD, FAAN Jason S. Mackey, MD

Michael E. Markowski, DO David N. McCollum, MD Uma Menon, MD Maciej M. Mrugala, MD Nancy L. Mueller, MD Pushpa Narayanaswami, MBBS, MD, FAAN Conrad C. Nievera Jr., MD Eddie L. Patton, MD, MS Timothy A. Pedley, MD, FAAN Erik Perkins, MD Meril S. Platzer, MD Tarakad S. Ramachandran, MD, FAAN Awais Riaz, MD, PhD, FAAN Lawrence M. Samkoff, MD, FAAN Nilay R. Shah, MD Robert E. Shapiro, MD, PhD, FAA Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAAN Sarah Song, MD Thomas Swanson, MD Bradford Lynn Talcott, MD, PhD Bradley V. Vaughn, MD, FAAN Thomas R. Vidic, MD, FAAN David J. Walsh, MD, FAAN Janice F. Wiesman, MD

What committees and/or groups are you involved in at AAN? I am part of AANs Medical Economics and Management Committee (MEM) and the Coding Subcommittee. I am also a RUC Advisor and part of the Cost of Care Workgroup that was recently formed by the AAN.

Why is advocacy important for neurologists? In a rapidly changing health care environment, neurologists should transform themselves into effective leaders and advocates. Advocacy is a learning experience about the importance of negotiation, persuasion, collaboration and networking. Advocacy is an exciting journey with many turns and twists, opposition and support, disappointments and rewards. Successful advocates should remain persistent, consistent, positive and be prepared for a long journey ahead of them. The entire Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum experience is remarkable. After completing the Forum, one feels they are now a part of a new breed of future neurologists. Graduates are well groomed to go out and become a major force in all aspects of advocacyfor patients, for disenfranchised, the meek, those in fear, and those that have lost hope. - Constantine Moschonas, MD
2013 Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum Moderator

Daniel Potts, MD has a promotional video on the Bringing Art to Life Program, which is an art therapy and life story preservation initiative for a person with Alzheimers disease. He was also quoted in the article Now What? Treatment Options for Alzheimers Disease in the Huffington Post and Beta Blockers May Reduce Dementia Risk on CNN Health. Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAANs letter to the editor was published in the New York Times encouraging everyone to use helmets to maintain brain health and prevent brain injuries Bike Helmets, for the Common Good. Heidi George Moawad, MD published a book about non-clinical careers for physicians titled Careers Beyond Clinical Medicine.

Daniel Kantor, MD was included in ABCs Good Morning America Why Now? New Dad Jack Osbourne Faces MS.

PALF Graduate Reception on March 18, 2013, from 5:30 p.m.7:00 p.m. will be held in the Rancho Santa Fe 2 & 3 rooms at the Marriott Marquis (Accompanied by the Kenneth M. Viste Patient Advocate of the Year Award Presentation) Government Relations Committee Meet & Greet on March 18, 2013, from 12:00 p.m.1:30 p.m.
will be held in the Sails area

*Dont forget to visit the Public Policy Booth in the Sails while you are there!

Grant requests will be considered on a rolling basis and finances are limited. Apply here or for more information contact Melissa Showers at mshowers@aan.com or (612) 928-6056.

The Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum is supported in part by an educational grant from UCB, Inc.