Overview of the PRN

The Central Nervous System Practice and Research Network (CNS PRN) provides a forum to encourage networking among pharmacists, trainees, and other health science professionals with clinical and/or research interest in CNS disorders. Its membership includes individuals with expertise in neurology, psychiatry, and neurocritical care. In addition, the CNS PRN has dedicated committees, which trainees are highly encouraged to participate in, responsible for educational programming, recognition and nominations, social media communication, and research and grants.

Membership Overview

Total Members: 415

Student Members: 238

Resident/Fellow Members: 45

Current CNS PRN Officers (2025-2026)

• Chair: Emily Laswell, Pharm.D., BCPS
• Chair-Elect: Farah Khorassani, Pharm.D., BCPP
• Secretary-Treasurer: Hannah Johnson, Pharm.D., BCPS

Current Committee Chairs (2025-2026)

• Communications: Zach Krauss, Pharm.D., MS, MBA
• Education: Alissa Scalise, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCPP
• Recognition and Nominations: Roxana Dumitru, Pharm.D., BCCCP, BCPS
• Research/Grant and Trainee: Maria Thomas, Pharm.D.

Opportunities for Student, Resident, and Fellow Members

The CNS PRN highly encourages the participation of students, residents, and fellows in all of its facets. One of the easiest ways to get involved is to serve on one of its committees. Trainees can share their interest in joining a committee by completing the Call for Interest sent out annually in late August or reaching out to the CNS PRN chair (https://www.accp.com/prns/officers.aspx).

CNS PRN Committees

1. Recognition and Nominations
   1. Highlight PRN members’ achievements
   2. Nominate members for awards and executive board positions
2. Education
   1. Provide educational programming around CNS topics
      1. Identify the topic for the Focus Session at the ACCP Annual Meeting
      2. Collaborate with other PRNs on ACCP-accredited CE
      3. Facilitate a webinar-based Speaker Series on current topics of interest within neurology/psychiatry
      4. Past topics include management of antiplatelets in neurocritical care patients in conjunction with the Critical Care PRN, as well as a planned Speaker Series on psychogenics and an ACCP Annual Meeting focus session on myasthenia gravis
3. Research/Grant and Trainee
   1. Connect members interested in conducting studies related to CNS disorders
   2. Promote student involvement in research
   3. Coordinate pairings for the mentor-mentee program within the PRN
   4. Schedule trainee-led journal clubs presented to the entire PRN
4. Communications
   1. Compile submissions for the annual PRN newsletter
   2. Run CNS PRN social media accounts (currently twitter/X [@accpcnsprn] and Instagram [@cns_prn])

The CNS PRN usually offers multiple travel awards each year. Awardees receive a monetary award to help support attendance at the ACCP Annual Meeting as well as an opportunity to present their research or a clinically related project at the CNS PRN Business Meeting and Networking Forum. See the Travel Awards page on the ACCP website for any live applications!

With its 415 members, the CNS PRN is very accessible for networking. The CNS PRN Business Meeting and Networking Forum welcomes student, resident, and fellow members, providing an excellent opportunity for trainees to get to know current members.

Submitted by:

Zach Krauss, Pharm.D., MS, MBA

Emily Laswell, Pharm.D., BCPS

Farah Khorassani, Pharm.D., BCPP