New SIGN & Section Connection webinar series introduces neurology subspecialties to medical students
August 10, 2026
The AAN’s new SIGN & Section Connection webinar series gives Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) participants a unique opportunity to explore subspecialties they may not otherwise encounter in their early training.
AAN Sections are more than 40 member-led communities representing a broad range of subspecialties and professional interests. Section membership is free to AAN members and includes access to the corresponding SynapseSM AAN Member Communities, where participants have meaningful conversations on the latest health care topics within their subspecialties. Since medical students can become AAN members for free, these forums provide a valuable window into the life of a neurologist.
Each live SIGN & Section Connection webinar will feature a clinical, case-based presentation paired with a brief “why I love my field” insider perspective, offering students both practical insight and personal inspiration as they consider their future in this dynamic field. Recordings will also be available after each live event, making the series accessible to students who are unable to attend in real time.
Making meaningful connections early in the journey
Erick Tarula, MD, SIGN advisor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, proposed the idea for the series as a way to help students make meaningful connections earlier in their neurology journey.
“The SIGN & Section Connections series is a new initiative aimed at bridging major themes in neurology careers with students who show even a nugget of curiosity about neurology as a profession,” Tarula said. “This is invaluable for the many students who may not have easy access to neurologists in a clinical or clerkship capacity, and for those who simply haven't yet been exposed to the wonderfully expansive world of what neurologists do.”
Upcoming webinars
The launches Thursday, September 3, with a session hosted by the AAN’s Sleep Section featuring presenter Maria Aristova, MD, PhD, a PGY-3 resident at Northwestern University in Chicago. The inaugural webinar will be moderated by J. Kent Werner, Jr., MD, PhD, and Pablo R. Castillo, MD, FAAN.
Future sessions will spotlight additional areas of neurology, including:
- November 5, 2026:
- March 4, 2027:
- April 1, 2027:
Students are encouraged to sign up for the SIGN & Section Connection webinar series to attend the live sessions.
“Students often choose their specialty based on who they happened to meet and when,” Tarula said. “This series democratizes that exposure, giving every SIGN member access to practicing neurologists across subspecialties, not just the ones at their home institution. More than that, it helps students feel like they're part of something larger—the broader AAN community—earlier in their training than ever before.”
Additional student resources
Learn more about additional AAN SIGN resources, including chapter-planning toolkits, event listings, scholarships, and webinars.
Learn more about membership and apply today to connect with your neurology community and AAN resources for students.