Happy New Year, NCS members!

As we step into January—a month symbolic of fresh starts and renewed focus—we are excited to embark on new initiatives and strategies that will drive our mission forward. The NCS Board of Directors has been hard at work laying the foundation for a successful year ahead, and I’m thrilled to share key updates and highlights with you.

A New Voice on the Board of Directors

We are pleased to announce the addition of a trainee member to our Board of Directors—Diana Alsbrook. This strategic move allows us to mentor leadership skills while also incorporating a trainee’s perspective into the strategic work of our organization. We’re confident Diana’s insights will help shape the future of NCS and ensure our initiatives remain inclusive and forward-thinking.

2025 Budget Approval & Strategic Focus Areas

The NCS Board has reviewed and approved the 2025 budget, which positions us to make significant progress toward our strategic goals. Here’s a glimpse at our areas of focus for the coming year:

• Educator of Choice: Continued efforts to strengthen NCS’s position as the premier educational resource for neurocritical care professionals.
• APP/Nursing Committee Initiatives: Our APP and Nursing Committees are currently reviewing survey results to determine actionable next steps that support and empower these essential members of our community.
• Fundraising Strategies: The NCS Board of Directors and the Neurocritical Care Foundation’s Board of Trustees will convene at the beginning of this year to establish fundraising priorities that align with our mission and growth objectives.

Network Night Returns to the Annual Meeting

We’ve heard your feedback and are happy to announce the ongoing support of the Network Night at the Annual Meeting! We recognize that this event is more than just a social gathering—it’s a vital networking opportunity that fosters meaningful connections. The Board has made this a strategic and financial priority, recognizing its value to our members. Stay tuned for more details on the NCS 23rd Annual Meeting, which takes place September 16-19, 2025, in Montréal, Québec, Canada.

Bylaws Changes

A heartfelt thank you to our membership for voting unanimously to approve the NCS Bylaws changes. Voting closed on December 6, and we’re excited to move forward with these important updates. In addition to the bylaw changes, NCS is working on an update to our Policy and Procedure Manual. As this work progresses, there may be additional bylaw change requests forthcoming to ensure alignment with the updated policies and procedures.

Making Waves Spotlight: Arun Joseph

We’re proud to highlight the groundbreaking work of NCS member Arun Joseph, who is pursuing a DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on ventilator weaning and extubation in neurocritical care, with a special emphasis on acute brain injury.

Arun’s innovative approach to this global challenge inspired him to establish the International Ventilator Weaning and Extubation in Neurocritical Care Network. Affiliated with the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford, this network hosts lectures and seminars on ventilator weaning and extubation in neurocritical care. NCS members can access past recordings and gain insight into this critical field by visiting the network’s webpage. Thank you, Arun, for making waves to actualize extraordinary things! I’d love to hear more about how you are creating positive change within the workplace and profession. If you have news to celebrate or share, please send your stories to info@neurocriticalcare.org.

Looking Ahead

January marks a time of new beginnings, and NCS is ready to seize the moment. From supporting our members' professional growth to enhancing our organizational strategy, every step we take is driven by our shared commitment to excellence in neurocritical care.

We’re excited to embark on this journey with you and look forward to all we will accomplish together in 2025.