professor richard macdonell · 2015. 2. 26. · professor richard macdonell richard macdonell is...

Professor Richard Macdonell Richard Macdonell is currently Director of Neurology at Austin Health, a position he has held for 3 years. Hetrained at the Austin, London and Massachusetts General Hospitals. His main areas of interest areNeurorehabilitation,NeurophysiologyandNeuroimmunology.Heisjointsectionhead,SystemsNeurophysiologyattheFloreyNeuroscienceResearchInstitute.Richard’smainresearchareashavebeeninmultiplesclerosis,theneurophysiologyofepilepsyandstrokeepidemiology.Healsoconductsasmallprivatepractice.RichardhaspreviouslyheldanumberofroleswithANZAN.HewasHonorarySecretary(2001‐2004)andOrganisingCommittee Secretary for the 2005 World Congress of Neurology. He has been Chair of the Neurorehabilitationsubcommittee and is a member of the EEG and Clinical Neurophysiology committee. He served as Chair of theEducationandTrainingCommitteefrom2007‐2011andwasresponsiblefortheorganizationoftheEMGWorkshopin2011.Richard was Chair of the Specialist Advisory Committee-Neurology (2001-2005) and ANZAN Workforce Committee in 2008-2010. He was a member of ANZAN Council for 10 years to 2011 and is currently a member of the ANZAN Scientific Program Committee. Richardismarriedwith2grownupchildrenandisalongsufferingsupporteroftheMelbourneFootballclub. A short statement about intentions as ANZAN President Education and Training I will push the cause for increased training positions in Neurology and examine ways in which these can be configured to promote practice in regional and rural areas with advice from the regional neurology subcommittee. CME My aim will be to make sure that ANZAN continues to meet the CME needs of our members and examine ways to improve this using modern technology such as podcasts, apps etc with invited specialist commentary or update lectures on topical issues. Overseas trained neurologists I will continue discussions with the College about achieving a more flexible approach, which accelerates the process of accreditation with a greater emphasis on peer review rather than equivalency of training on paper. I will promote adoption in Australia of the New Zealand system of a restricted FRACP limited to neurology. Encouraging non-member neurologists into the organization With the increasing number of overseas trained neurologists making their home in Australia/NZ and not through our advanced training program, the percentage of neurologists who are members of ANZAN has fallen. I will take measures to encourage all neurologists accredited by the RACP to join ANZAN by promoting the advantages of membership, particularly the areas of CME and peer support. Generational Change I will encourage the involvement of younger neurologists within committees and decision making bodies within ANZAN Private Practice I want to make sure council is attune to and acts to address any specific concerns of neurologists whose main area is in private practice. ASM I wish to ensure this remains a “not to be missed” meeting which interdigitates rather than competes with neurology subspecialty meetings such as stroke, epilepsy. The meeting must continue to meet our member’s needs, particularly in the area of clinical update and by encouraging the presentation of clinical and basic research performed by our members. Sponsorships I will reexamine the role of pharmaceutical company sponsorships. Maintaining sponsorships is important to our financial well-being but we have to be attune to sponsors interests without compromising the independence of the Association and our annual scientific meeting and other sponsored events. Education and Research Foundation I will seek to acquire additional funds for the foundation from corporate donations and private bequests and make sure the efforts of this foundation, the Brain Foundation and the New Zealand foundation are complimentary rather than competitive. Links with Asia and Oceania I would like to expand on what we are currently doing with the aim to increase the number of training fellowships we can offer for neurologists from these regions.