PECN Update – What’s in a Name?

Dear Colleagues,

I hope all of you are enjoying the beautiful spring that is finally upon us! I have some exciting news to share regarding the Professors of Child Neurology (PCN). In reviewing past PCN Presidents’ statements, a common theme emerges. To quote the wise and eloquent David Urion, “What’s in a name?”

The name Professors of Child Neurology has caused some confusion over the years, feeding the misperception that one must be a full academic professor to be a member of this organization. Since the education of our trainees is at the heart of our mission, we felt a name change was in order to reflect this. Accordingly, the PCN Board has approved changing the name of our organization from the Professors of Child Neurology (PCN) to the Professors & Educators of Child Neurology (PECN). We felt adding the term “Educators” clarifies the inclusion of newly appointed Program Directors, Associate Program Directors, and Fellowship Directors of Child Neurology and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities programs. We hope this will clarify and encourage members to actively participate in the PECN, irrespective of their academic rank. We are optimistic that this will lead to an expansion in the membership of the PECN and again encourage active member engagement. I am also pleased to announce that with the new name comes a new logo, as you likely already noted above.

The next month will be busy (busier). In the midst of preparing for the annual transition of trainees, please keep the following in mind:

1. Hammers. Kathy Pavel, in the CNS National Office, has received lists of incoming PGY3 residents from all training program coordinators and will be sending the traditional welcoming gift from the CNS – a reflex hammer engraved with the CNS logo – in time for everyone to present these at upcoming orientation sessions or equivalent rites of passage.
2. Pellock Seminar. The CNS will be meeting live in Boston this fall and the 6th Annual Jack Pellock Residents Seminar in Epilepsy, under the direction of Renée Shellhaas, Elaine Wirrell, and Phil Pearl will be held live at the Hynes Convention Center on Tuesday &Wednesday, September 28 & 29. All residents in their final year of CN or NDD training (PGY5 or 6) are eligible to attend, with the CNS paying for 3 hotel nights and waiving the CNS Annual Meeting registration fee. The call for nominations will be posted the first week of June. While we realize that many residents may not be able to attend in person (virtual attendance of some kind will be made available), this annual program provides a uniquely rich opportunity for residents to meet and bond with peers from across the US and Canada, laying the groundwork for their future career success and the future success of the CNS; I encourage you to find a way to enable as many eligible residents to come to Boston as possible.
3. Nominations for the CNS/PECN Training Director Award (formerly the Blue Bird Circle Training Director Award) will be accepted May 20 -June 5. Nominations may be submitted by trainees, peers, or program chairs. See guidelines below

Thank you for all you do in support of our trainees.
Nancy Bass, MD
President
Professors & Educators of Child Neurology (PECN)

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2021 CNS/PECN Training Director Award

Nominations are now being accepted for an annual award given by the Child Neurology Society and the Professors & Educators of Child Neurology recognizing outstanding performance by a child neurology or neurodevelopmental pediatrics (NDD) training director.

The award recipient will receive a $1000.00 honorarium and a plaque, and will be recognized at the 50th CNS Annual Meeting in Boston, as well as in a profile published in the Fall/Annual Meeting edition of CNS Connections and posted on the CNS website.

Previous recipients of the CNS-PCN Training Director Award are Harvey Singer (2013), Steve Leber (2014), Rob Rust (2015), David Urion (2016), Sidney Gospe (2017) Bruce Shapiro (2018), and Karen Ballaban-Gil (2019). No award was given in 2020, there being no parallel/equivalent award presented by our joint meeting partner, the International Child Neurology Association.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Nominees should be a current or former child neurology residency or NDD program director.
2. The award recipient should have demonstrated leadership and vision in local program development, curriculum development, innovation in teaching methods, or training requirements.
3. The awardee should inspire in trainees and colleagues alike a passion for the practice of child neurology and/or NDD. Nominees must be living at the time of selection.
4. Nominees may not currently be serving as members of either the CNS or PCN board of directors

Procedure: Prepare a single PDF file with:

• A primary letter of nomination (required)
• Up to three additional letters of support (optional)
• Nominee’s CV (required; no signatures required, however)

1. Email PDF file to Roger Larson, CAE, Executive Director, CNS (rblarson@childneurologysociety.org); cc Nancy Bass, MD, President, Professors of Child Neurology (nancy.bass@uhhospitals.edu)
2. Deadline: Complete nomination must be received on or before June 5, 2021
3. Review and selection will be conducted by a joint selection committee comprised of two members of the Child Neurology Society and three members of the Professors & Educators of Child Neurology (PECN).
4. The 2021 awardee will be informed of the committee’s decision by June 15, 2021.

Questions?

Contact Roger Larson, CAE, Executive Director, Child Neurology Society
(rblarson@childneurologysociety.org); Tel: 651-486-944