Dear Colleagues,

With the PNS Strategic Plan and our mission at our forefront, your PNS Board, SIGs and Committees have been hard at work this Fall advancing several society initiatives.  Below are several key initiatives we are excited to unveil to the broader membership in the months and years ahead.

• • The launch of a PNS-funded training grant portfolio, comprised of both short and long-term clinical and basic science training grants.
  • The development of a new PNS Membership & Diversity Committee aimed at maximizing diversity, equity, and inclusion while supporting the visibility and participation of underrepresented PN scientists and clinicians. Please note: The call for committee members is open thru 14 October.  We encourage you to contact PNS Executive Director Allison Kindseth at akindseth@PNSociety.com with any questions.
  • The implementation of a new social media communications plan to help further our Society’s reach and relevance across social media platforms.
  • The release of new GBS treatment guidelines.
  • The formation of a TTR-related Amyloid Neuropathy guideline taskforce to write a new guideline covering both diagnosis and treatment.
  • The development of new regional PN training programs in South America, Asia, and Africa in partnership with regional PN groups and led by our International Outreach and Education Committees.
  • The continuation of the very successful special interest group (SIG) webinars (CMTR, IDNC, INC, NPC, and TNC) into the new year.
  • The funding of several travel scholarships to the US for our Ukrainian colleagues.

We are also hard at work organizing what we expect will be an outstanding meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, 17-20 June 2023.  Together with our Scientific Program, Junior, Education, and Local Organizing Committees, we are planning a meeting that will include all the elements that make PNS Annual Meetings memorable and impactful to the careers and work of every attendee.  The organizers have carefully reviewed past meeting evaluation feedback and are adding several new enhancements to the program based on your feedback.  Abstract submission for the 2023 Annual Meeting will open in mid-October 2022, and registration for the Annual Meeting will open in January 2023. 2023 Annual Meeting program highlights include:

• • New ‘Bench to Bedside’ mini symposia on a variety of transversal topics
  • Daily Lunches with the Experts for Junior Members
  • New lunchtime sponsored symposia programs
  • Two exciting off-site receptions, at Tivoli Gardens and the Royal Danish Playhouse
  • A new PNS Poster Reception, with guided walking tours of the poster hall
  • All posters up for the entire duration of the Annual Meeting
  • Extended plenary lectures
  • Daily meeting highlights featuring key takeaways from the meeting and questions to advance the field forward

To make the meeting as accessible as possible, we will also continue to support the following:

• • Gratis registration for all Junior Members presenting abstracts
  • Registration discounts for those joining us from low-income economies
  • $500 USD travel grants and gratis registration for those presenting abstracts from low-income economies
  • Complimentary exhibit opportunities for our patient advocacy group partners

If you have questions about PNS activities or suggestions for the future, please do not hesitate to reach out.  We welcome hearing from you and would be happy to set up a time to speak.

Sincerely,

Richard Lewis, MD
PNS President