World’s largest neurology conference is cancelled due to COVID-19

By Michael Woodhead

18 Mar 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the American Academy of Neurology to cancel its AAN 2020 Annual Meeting originally scheduled for April 25–May 1, 2020, in Toronto.

In line with most other medical professional groups, the AAN said it had no choice but to cancel the gathering of 15,000 neurology clinicians and researchers given the risks to health of attendees and the disruption of travel globally.

“Protecting the health, safety, and well-being of our members, attendees, and ultimately our neurology patients is paramount, and serves as the reason for our decision to cancel the AAN Annual Meeting for the first time in our 72-year history,” it said.The AAN noted that the global COVID-19 pandemic was already impacting the location of the conference, Toronto and surrounding communities.

“We also want to recognise two other important considerations. As an organisation of physicians and medical professionals, it is important to keep our members in their communities—where you stand by to help patients during this time of uncertainty.

“We also have a professional responsibility to model social distancing and not contribute to the spread of the virus through a large public gathering.

The AAN said it acknowledged the great disappointment among those who had worked hard on activities related to the conference.

It said it was now  working to process full registration fee refunds.

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