Ethics, Law, and Humanities Committee

AAN Committees

The Ethics, Law, and Humanities Committee monitors and evaluates evolving ethical, legal, and humanities issues in neurology and offers guidance and insights concerning those issues to AAN members via position statements, perspective pieces, educational programs, and awards.  

Chair: Matthew Kirschen, MD, PhD

Vice Chair: Katharina M. Busl, MD, MS, FAAN

Staff Liaison: Sarah Bird Nelson, JD, Associate Counsel

Executive Assistant/Legal Coordinator: Kay Fetters

Job description

Responsibilities

  • The committee chair and vice chair work directly with the committee staff liaison and executive assistant and participate in monthly half鈥恏our conference calls. Members may be asked to join some of these calls, depending on the agenda topics.
  • The committee meets three times each year: late winter (virtual), summer (virtual), and fall (in person or virtual). Members should do their best to attend each meeting.
  • Members are expected to be familiar with contemporary ethics issues, actively and constructively contribute to meeting discussions, and contribute to other ELHC activities (e.g., help author position statements).

Selection/appointment

Committee members representing the AAN are appointed by the AAN President Elect and may serve up to three two鈥恲ear terms. The committee chair is appointed by the AAN President. The chair and vice-chair may serve up to an additional three two-year terms.

Meeting schedule

Members are expected to attend three meetings per year:

  • Late winter (February or March) - virtual
  • Summer (July or August) - virtual
  • Fall (September or October) - in person at AAN headquarters (Minneapolis, MN) or virtual

Estimated time commitment

Three meetings per year, plus project鈥恠pecific work.

Committee composition

The Ethics, Law, and Humanities Committee includes the following positions:

  • Chair
  • Vice Chair
  • Up to fourteen at-large members
  • NITCEE (Neurologist鈥恑n鈥怲raining Clinical Ethics Elective) representative (ex officio鈥恦oting member, serves a one鈥恲ear term)

Related activities