Closing Remarks

The NANS ASCEND Leadership Development Program is an invitation-only experience for fellows, junior faculty, and early-career professionals in neuromodulation who are ready to expand their impact within NANS and the field. Combining leadership education, mentorship, networking, and direct engagement with experienced NANS leaders and peers, the program helps participants build the knowledge, confidence, relationships, and practical skills needed to contribute effectively to committee, board, and other professional leadership roles.

The program includes an immersive full-day experience at the NANS Annual Meeting, followed by virtual mentorship and networking opportunities that extend learning beyond the meeting. Through interactive sessions and practical application, participants explore how effective leaders set objectives, lead teams, and deliver engaging presentations and more. Participants gain insight into board responsibilities and expectations, partnership engagement, financial stewardship, and the role of advocacy in advancing neuromodulation and patient care. Participants apply course learning into a NANS-focused or specialty-focused collaborative project aligned with society's mission. Through hands-on group experience, they strengthen leadership skills in building consensus, assessing resources, strategic thinking, and communication skills they can use and practice in everyday work. This program emphasizes practical leadership strategies that physicians can apply in any healthcare settings, multidisciplinary collaborations, and professional organizations.

At the end of the experience, participants will leave with a broader professional network, stronger leadership awareness, and practical tools to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, advocate for the field, support high-performing teams, and pursue future leadership opportunities within NANS, their organizations, and the neuromodulation community.