NANOS is committed to equal opportunity and equality; to fully acknowledge, embrace, and promote our differences to foster an environment where every member has the opportunity to thrive.
We Have a History of Equality. With Your Help, We'll Do Better.
For decades, NANOS has worked to foster a professional community grounded in respect, opportunity, and inclusion. From expanding international participation and supporting mentorship initiatives to creating opportunities for networking, leadership, and professional growth, equality has long been woven into the fabric of our Society.
But meaningful progress requires continuous effort.
The EYE AM NANOS Committee exists to help ensure that every member, every volunteer, every leader, and every future neuro-ophthalmologist has the opportunity to thrive. By listening, learning, and working together, we can build upon our foundation, strengthen our community, and create pathways for broader participation, representation, and engagement throughout the profession.
Together, we can help ensure that neuro-ophthalmology remains a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible specialty for generations to come.
Mission
Vision
NANOS is an organization built on inclusiveness and community where unity is forged by fully acknowledging and embracing our differences as our strengths.
Aspirations
We want:
- neuro-ophthalmologists to represent all genders, races, ethnicities, and sexual orientation to better reflect the diversity of our country and the communities we serve.
- to ensure equal access for health care for all patients with neuro-ophthalmic diseases.
- to advocate for our patients and for our colleagues.
- to ensure that the research we do includes the participation of subjects that reflect our whole society and inclusive of researchers from diverse backgrounds.
- all neuro-ophthalmologists to feel welcomed and included in our society at every level from novice to expert.
- to ensure equitable participation and representation in all committees and meeting activities.
Historical Accomplishments
Equality and equal opportunity have long been part of the culture and values of NANOS. Over the years, the Society has taken meaningful steps to expand access, increase representation, support professional development, and strengthen engagement across the neuro-ophthalmology community.
- NANOS is proud of having had 5 women Presidents since 2002.
- NANOS has representation in more than 40 countries around the world and is proud of being such a diverse group and community.
- Since 2018 NANOS has been supporting the AAO Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program that promotes diversity in the field of ophthalmology by helping underrepresented in medicine students become competitive ophthalmology residency applicants.
- In 2019 we initiated collection of demographic information, which was expanded in 2020 in order to be more inclusive as a medical society.
- Participation of NANOS members in AAN IDEAS activities.
- NANOS members participate and engage LGBTQ+ Communities at American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) with instruction courses on LGBTQ+ health. NANOS President-elect (2022-2024), Peter Quiros, and Board Chair (2022-2024), Valerie Biousse, are amongst the founding members of the AAO LGBTQ+ community.
- In 2022, NANOS membership approved the bylaws amendment that now allows an international member of NANOS to serve on the NANOS Board in an advisory role.
- NANOS provides platforms for engagement, networking, and collaboration for Women in Neuro-Ophthalmology (WIN) and Young Neuro-Ophthalmologists (YONO).
NANOSwin
WHO SHOULD JOIN? This new forum-based platform will provide you with access to your fellow WINners, neuro-ophthalmology professionals and allow trainees interested in neuro-ophthalmology to join our network. The online forum offers a superior user experience compared to our current WIN listserv, providing seamless user engagement.
WHY JOIN? It is a low-pressure way to network with your colleagues, exchange best practices & ideas, ask questions, share inspirational stories and resources, ask for research assistance, mentoring opportunities, and much more. Opt in and let’s stay connected!
Join NANOWIN Here
NANOSYono
WHO SHOULD JOIN? This online community is targeted towards young neuro-ophthalmologist in their first 5 years of training.
WHY JOIN? We intend for this to be a safe space for our YONOs to discuss challenging patients, inquire about best practices and share valuable information amongst peers at a similar stage of their career. We would like for this forum to provide opportunities for networking, research and mentorship as well. We will be prompting conversations and sending out content occasionally, but also want you to feel free to post questions to the group. Hopefully you will find this to be a valuable resource that helps create a sense of community amongst the YONOs!
Join NANOSYono Here
Be Part of the Progress
Creating a stronger and more inclusive neuro-ophthalmology community is not the responsibility of a single committee. It is a collective effort that benefits from the participation, perspectives, and experiences of members across every career stage.
Whether you are a trainee, clinician, researcher, educator, volunteer leader, or long-time member, there are meaningful ways you can contribute:
Share Your Perspective
Help us better understand the challenges, barriers, and opportunities facing members and future neuro-ophthalmologists. Your experiences can help guide future programs, initiatives, and conversations.
Encourage Participation
Invite colleagues, trainees, and peers to become involved with NANOS programs, committees, educational opportunities, and volunteer leadership roles. Expanding awareness creates pathways for greater engagement.
Mentor and Support Others
Professional growth often begins with a conversation, an introduction, or a helping hand. Consider sharing your expertise, encouraging emerging leaders, and supporting those who are exploring careers in neuro-ophthalmology.
Help Identify Opportunities for Improvement
There is always more work to be done. We welcome thoughtful suggestions that help NANOS strengthen its programs, processes, communications, and member experiences.
Lead By Example
The culture of an organization is shaped by the actions of its members. By fostering professionalism, respect, collaboration, and inclusion, each of us contributes to a stronger community.
Have an idea, suggestion, concern, or opportunity you'd like the committee to consider?
The EYE AM NANOS Committee welcomes member input and feedback. Together, we can continue building a Society where every member feels valued, every voice can be heard, and every individual has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.
You may contact the EYE AM NANOS Committee by sending an email to info@nanosweb.org
Equal Opportunity Resources
Listen to Sight for Sore Eyes, a podcast by Dr. Ore-ofe Adesina addressing issues of equality in Ophthalmology.
AAMC Announced a new strategic plan:
AAMC Series on Beyond the White Coat:
Other Equal Opportunity Resources:
- LGBTQ+ Community Survival Guide for Applying to Ophthalmology Residency
- Education from AMA Center for Health Equity (Please note: This online platform supports continuing medical education (CME) and other professional training.)
- How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time
- The F Word: How ‘‘Fit’’ Threatens the Validity of Resident Recruitment
- The Minority Ophthalmology Mentorship Program with Drs. Keith Carter and Paul Lee
- A Word From Members of the LGBTQ Community
- Addressing Disparities in Eye Care—The Time Is Now
- Eliminating Institutional Barriers to Career Advancement for Diverse Faculty in Academic Surgery
- He Spurred a Revolution in Psychiatry. Then He 'Disappeared.'
- In the wake of COVID-19, academia needs new solutions to ensure gender equity
- Scientific societies fostering inclusivity through speaker diversity in annual meeting programming: a call to action
- Unique Risks and Solutions for Equitable Advancement during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Early Experience from Frontline Physicians in Academic Medicine
- Universities take action to make change
