Dear NCS Family,

Welcome to May – a time of renewal and recognition across our community, as well as warmer weather!

This month brings important opportunities to acknowledge the many professionals and patients at the heart of our mission. From Nurses Week and Stroke Awareness Month to other key observances, we recognize the dedication, compassion and expertise that drive neurocritical care forward every day. Full observance highlights are further below in this newsletter.

As we look ahead, I encourage you to deepen your engagement with NCS through our “Get Involved” campaign, which is now open. Whether by joining a section or serving on a committee, your voice and expertise are essential to shaping the future of our field! NCS thrives because of the commitment of members like you, and there is a place for everyone to contribute. We sincerely hope you’ll join us this year!

I am also pleased to share that registration for the NCS 24^th Annual Meeting, taking place October 20-23, in Seattle, WA, opens next week. Alongside registration, we’ll be launching travel grants, funded by the Integra Foundation, to support members at all career stages to join us for what promises to be another engaging and highly impactful meeting!

At a time when external funding for research and professional development has become increasingly constrained, NCS is expanding its support. In addition to the Annual Meeting travel grants, we are launching two new funding opportunities this month: 1) Small Grants for Big Ideas, and 2) the Innovative Treatments in Disorders of Consciousness (ITDC) Grant Program, funded by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. These initiatives underscore our commitment to fostering innovation, advancing research and ensuring our members continue to have pathways to pursue meaningful work that improves neurocritical care. More details will be shared soon.

Our Annual Business Meeting will take place on June 19, from 2-3:00 p.m. CT, and we hope you’ll join us online for this update. This is an important opportunity to stay informed, engaged and connected to the direction of our Society.

In late April, the Board of Directors finalized the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, establishing a focused roadmap for what the Society will prioritize over the next several years to maximize impact, whether it be in education, research, membership engagement, global outreach or organizational excellence. The Board worked to closely align strategic priorities with execution, ensuring that our resources are directed toward areas of greatest value for our members, regardless of their practice, as well as for the field and our patients. This plan reflects thoughtful input from committees and key stakeholders, resulting in strong alignment around our direction and a clear foundation for coordinated, high-impact implementation.

In addition, the NCS participated in the AAN Neurology Subspecialty Society Summit on April 19, convening leaders across neurology organizations to address shared challenges and opportunities. The meeting strengthened relationships and advanced collaboration in workforce, advocacy and multidisciplinary care – aligned with NCS’s focus on building impactful external partnerships that extend our mission. We are hopeful that this is the first of many meetings to strengthen our collaborations across neurological societies in the US and worldwide.

Thank you for your continued dedication to NCS and to the patients and families we serve. I look forward to the progress we will make together in the months ahead!

Warm regards,

David M. Greer, MD, MA, FCCM, FAHA, FNCS, FAAN, FANA
President, Neurocritical Care Society