Councilor for the South
Jaclyn Martindale, DO
My career is a testament to the power of unique experiences. As an Assistant Professor of Neurology, clinician-researcher, medical educator, and leader, I bring diverse skills and perspectives to the table. Originally from Buffalo, NY, as a first-generation medical professional, I completed my training at the University of Rochester. From 2016 to 2019, I worked in a non-academic position, earning recognition for exceptional Tourette Syndrome (TS) clinical care and advocacy. Fueled by my passion for research, I returned to academia, joining Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) in 2019. My career goals are to provide compassionate care for TS and Tic Disorders, conduct clinical research, educate future clinician-scientists, and contribute through leadership, mentorship, and sponsorship.
My commitment to the CNS and the field of child neurology is unwavering. Since my residency, I have been an active CNS member, serving in various roles, including chair of the Digital Committee for the Professors and Educators of Child Neurology and the current chair of the CNS Electronic Communication Committee. I take pride in expanding the social media strategy between 2021 and 2024 and conducting a gender analysis of awards and leadership within the CNS. These initiatives have led to meaningful strategic changes to enhance member experience and expand our membership.
Outside of the CNS, I hold leadership positions within the Movement Disorders Society, the Tourette Association of America, and the American Academy of Neurology. I am the Section Head and Medical Director for Pediatric Neurology at WFUSM, where I have implemented significant positive changes within the pediatric neurology inpatient service line, advocated for increased recognition of non-revenue-producing activities, and expanded our section.
In addition to my clinical work, I conduct clinical research in TS. My research focuses on developing, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating accessible behavioral interventions for TS that impact stigma, well-being, and psychological distress. Over the past several years, I have built a regionally recognized center specializing in comprehensive care for individuals with TS.
I am also passionate about digital education and shaping the next generation of child neurologists. At WFUSM, I have been the Associate Program Director of the Child Neurology Residency since 2021. I co-founded the Neurology Digital Education Collaborative and the yearlong Scholars Program to teach others to incorporate evidence-based digital education into teaching practices. I wish to continue expanding the educational footprint of CNS and child neurology medical educators.
My vision for the CNS is to create a home for all generations of child neurologists. I believe that our society and the field of child neurology have the potential to broaden our societal impact within the workforce and the populations we serve. We can create a more inclusive field of child neurologists and ensure equitable care for all. The CNS can lead in creating equitable policies and practices, setting standards for representation, and advocating for others to do the same. I am committed to steering our field toward a more inclusive future and am grateful for your consideration.
What key experiences within the CNS or other professional organizations have been most impactful or rewarding for you, and how have these experiences influenced your vision for advancing the strategic goals and direction of the CNS?
My most significant contribution has been focusing on sexual and gender diversities in child neurology, which was sparked by the rise in functional tics during the pandemic. This interest expanded into general child neurology and all disparities. This work has not only raised awareness but also led to tangible changes in how we approach and address these issues in our field.
My leadership in analyzing gender disparities in the CNS has been a significant milestone. Our findings, which revealed the under-representation of women in the highest levels of recognition in child neurology, have sparked considerable support and action within the CNS. This work, including a platform presentation at the 2023 CNS annual meeting, an interview by Neurology Today, a CNS spotlight presentation at the 2024 AAN annual meeting, and a publication in Neurology, has brought these issues to the forefront and catalyzed meaningful changes within our society.
Our work has also shed light on the generational divide within our society. In many recognition awards and leadership positions, the CNS tends to value service length to the child neurology field. However, our vision is to recognize and value professionals’ contributions to child neurology, regardless of their career stage. We need to acknowledge and appreciate the diverse contributions of all our members, as this is what truly enriches our field. Each member’s unique contribution is integral to the growth and development of our field, and it is crucial that we recognize and value this diversity.
Now is the time to embrace positive changes with new leadership and strategic goals. We must actively identify and implement structural changes within our society and the child neurology workforce to recruit and retain diversity of trainees, workforce, members, and leadership. Some members have concerns about gender representation and ageism, which also affects the CNS membership and participation. In alignment with the CNS’ strategic goals, we should ensure policies promote equitable representation in leadership, awards, and committees. Addressing ongoing disparities and promoting diverse leadership at all career stages should be a part of that inclusive strategy. By doing so, we can enrich the member experience while growing our membership.
Our gender analysis and first-ever sexual and gender-diverse symposium garnered widespread CNS support, prompting early strategy changes, more inclusive demographic membership reporting, and the first published membership report this past winter.
This is not just a starting point but a call to action for a broader conversation about inequities within child neurology. We must collaborate with other societies and patient organizations to ensure equitable care for all. As the Society for Child Neurologists, the CNS can create equitable policies and practices, set the standard for equitable representation, and advocate for others to do the same. Together, we can transform our field into a more inclusive and equitable space where everyone’s contributions are valued and recognized. This collaborative approach is crucial in our journey towards a more equitable and inclusive field of child neurology.
What are the most challenging issues facing child neurologists today, and how would the CNS, under your leadership, help its members meet those challenges?
The national shortage of child neurologists is a pressing issue. Addressing this involves two key components: 1) retaining current child neurologists through better support and resources, and 2) enhancing early clinical training to attract a diverse new generation of child neurologists. Under my leadership, the CNS would implement targeted programs and initiatives to tackle these challenges, ensuring a sustainable and vibrant future for our field.
The burnout rate among child neurologists exceeds 86%, highlighting the urgent need for changes to improve sustainability, satisfaction, and retention. Child neurologists generate significant downstream revenue for hospitals, estimated at $2 million per neurologist, through various procedures and referrals. Despite their critical role, they often engage in non-revenue-producing activities such as peer-to-peer calls, family meetings, and care coordination, which are vital but undervalued. High turnover, costly in terms of recruitment and lost revenue, exacerbates the national shortage and increases burnout among remaining neurologists.
To address these issues, we must advocate for greater recognition of the contributions of child neurologists within medical systems. The CNS should collaborate with other organizations to establish specialty-specific standards for child neurology departments. These standards should account for adaptable work RVU requirements, downstream revenue, and non-revenue-producing activities like patient care, education, and leadership. By setting these standards, we can equip child neurologists with the tools to advocate for necessary changes within their healthcare systems, thereby improving retention and reducing burnout.
Additionally, enriching the child neurology training experience is crucial to recruiting and retaining a diverse new generation of child neurologists. This involves enhancing the curriculum and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages students from various backgrounds to pursue this specialty. Collaborating with Child Neurology Educators, we can leverage our collective expertise to advocate for a comprehensive approach to child neurology education.
One important step is to increase child neurology exposure in medical schools by integrating it more thoroughly into the standard curriculum. In addition, implementing required electives for non-neurologists is also essential, providing all future physicians with a deeper understanding of child neurology, regardless of their chosen specialty.
Furthermore, reevaluating the curriculum and length of child neurology residency training is necessary. Providing residents with relevant and customizable experiences will better prepare them for the complexities of their future roles. These changes will help create a well-rounded and comprehensive training program that attracts and retains a diverse and talented pool of future child neurologists.
This comprehensive approach not only enhances the quality of training but also addresses the need for diversity within the field. A diverse group of child neurologists brings varied perspectives and experiences, enriching the profession and improving patient care.
In summary, addressing the shortage of child neurologists requires both retaining current professionals and enriching the training experience to recruit a diverse new generation. By advocating for greater recognition of the field’s contributions and enhancing educational pathways, we can ensure a sustainable and vibrant future for child neurology.