Education Research: Strengthening the Neurology Pipeline

Background and Objectives The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Medical Student Symposium (MSS) was established in 2018 to address the shortage of neurologists, with events consisting of keynote speakers, panel events, and networking opportunities to engage medical students with neurology. The aim of this study was to highlight the evolution of the MSS, to identify the elements participants perceived most beneficial, and to describe the longitudinal impact of the symposium on attendees. Methods We describe the MSS, recruitment processes, and its evolution from 2018 to 2025. To determine the longitudinal impact of the MSS on medical student interest in neurology, 1,177 attendees of past MSS were invited to participate in an online survey. Data were collected using Qualtrics from August 25, 2025, to September 19, 2025. Results MSS student attendance between 2018 and 2025 grew from 152 in 2018 to 353 participants in 2025. Most attendees were third-year medical students (MS3, 34%), followed by second-year (MS2, 19%) and fourth-year (MS4, 21%) medical students. In total, 129/1,079 individuals responded, and 120/129 respondents completed the survey. Interest in a neurology specialty increased after the MSS for 92% of participants. The components ranked as most influential included the networking lunch and subspecialty networking. As of 2025, 39% of 2018 MSS attendees were active AAN members, whereas 82% of 2025 attendees were active members. Discussion Most participants expressed increased interest in neurology after the MSS, reporting that the networking components of the event were most influential. Participants highlighted increased knowledge of neurologic careers and opportunities for mentorship as the most impactful elements of the MSS. Longitudinal survey results indicated sustained interest in careers in neurology and continued AAN engagement. Study limitations include possible selection and response bias. Given the lack of a distinct comparison group, we are also unable to assess the MSS's impact on those with neutral or little preexisting interest in neurology. Future MSS iterations will continue to streamline the evaluation process to collect attendee feedback and adapt the agenda based on participant needs.