 |
Candidate for NAN Member-At-Large
Elyse Parke, Ph.D.
|
Candidate Statement:
I am passionate about training and promoting leaders within NAN to advocate for the value and relevancy of our profession. I developed and lead programs within NAN which has provided me with insight into the organization and leadership tools to serve as Member at Large on the NAN Board of Directors. In particular, developing and leading the NAN Leadership and Ambassador Development (LEAD) Program has provided me with the opportunity to see a NAN program from inception, initial implementation, and refinement for quality improvement. This program provides leadership training to early career neuropsychologists and charges them with being ambassadors for our organization and profession. I plan to provide my insights from our program to the various NAN committees that are developing and implementing their own essential programs. I will also bring my core values of supporting our fellow neuropsychologists, effective communication, and quality improvement to better our organization. NAN has been instrumental in my career development and my hope is to continue giving back through the Member at Large position.
Dr. Parke is a member of the following organizations:
- National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN)- Professional Membership
- American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN)- Professional Membership
Candidate Positions on the Issues:
How does your background qualify you for this office?
I have been involved in NAN leadership for almost 10 years. I initially served on the membership committee which gave me insight into challenges for maintaining and expanding our membership. I then developed and lead the NAN Leadership and Ambassador Development (LEAD) Program and Student and Post-doctoral committee. I continue to co-chair the LEAD Program which is completing its third cohort of graduates. We have developed leadership curriculum that teaches effective communication, advocacy, practical aspects of leading, managing multiple demands, and preventing burnout. Program participants are encouraged to serve as ambassadors by promoting NAN resources and values to their respective institutions and colleagues. Through all these positions, I have worked with other NAN members from various committees and learned about their goals and programs. These opportunities have provided me with the experience to serve effectively in the Member at Large position.
What do you see as the major challenges to neuropsychology in the next 5 years? How do you believe NAN, under your leadership, can be effective in meeting these challenges?
We need to advocate for the relevancy and value of neuropsychology in our evolving healthcare system. I plan to invest in retaining and developing quality leaders to disseminate and expand the NAN resources and advocacy efforts. Neuropsychology is a small field within the larger healthcare system. Training and encouraging advocacy from all our organization’s members can increase our influence. It is also important to maintain cohesiveness and work effectively with other psychological organizations so that our perspective is heard by legislatures. Supporting the goals and resources of the NAN Legislative Action and Advocacy Committee (LAAC) will be essential in working towards these goals. For example, our members can be informed of their role by using the Health Outcomes and Neuropsychology Efficacy Initiative (HONE-In) tool to demonstrate the value of neuropsychological services.
How would you promote professional practice?
I plan to support and promote the current efforts of the NAN Professional Affairs and Information Committee (PAIC). We can increase awareness by communicating with our membership on the many useful resources on professional practice already available on the NAN website. For example, there are useful documents and reference materials for insurance information, office forms, and handouts that our members could benefit from.
How do you plan to bridge science and practice?
I will continue promoting the excellent NAN annual conference and continuing education to ensure neuropsychologists remain up to date on current science and practice issues. I will also support efforts of the NAN grants to further clinically relevant research and increasing readership of the Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology. I will promote these activities by spreading the word to my colleagues and our ambassador program.
Â