History

In 1951, a small group of physicians practicing clinical electromyography and electrodiagnosis expressed a desire to organize a professional society dedicated to the growing medical specialty. They wanted to create a professional network; to build a platform for discussion of research; and to establish standards and measure quality. A society for medical professionals practicing electrodiagnostic medicine did not exist at the time. On August 29, 1953, another gathering took place at the Palmer House in Chicago, IL, to formally organize the American Association of Electromyography and Electrodiagnosis (AAEE). 
 

Founding Members

 

Timeline & Highlights

2020s  |2010s  | 2000s  | 1990s  | 1980s  | 1970s  | 1960s  | 1950s



2021

Over $1.5M transferred to the American Neuromuscular Foundation to increase research funding
First virtual spring conference held
ABEM moves from maintenance of certification examination to Core Comp – continuous certification

First NM Virtual Career Fellowship held

First APP education offered

 

2020

Membership provided guidance and resources related to the COVID pandemic

Virtual annual meeting held during COVID pandemic 
Added the Early Career membership rate
Surinderjit Singh Young Lectureship Award added to the AANEM meeting

The Utility and Practice of EDX Testing in the Pediatric Population: An AANEM Consensus Statement published

Establishing Standards for Acceptable Waveforms in NCSs published

AANEM - IFCN glossary of terms in neuromuscular electrodiagnostic medicine and ultrasound published

NM Fellowship Portal created
Published the CTS measure set
Introduced our first federal legislation– HR 8780


 

2019

The AANEM for Foundation for Research and Education renamed the American Neuromuscular Foundation
ABEM adds NM US Certificate of Added Qualification examination

 

2018

First MACRA & the QPP: A Guide for AANEM Members provided to members

 

2016

Over $3M transferred from the AAENM to the AANEM Foundation

Establishing High-Quality Reference Values for NCS and Electrodiagnostic Reference Values for Upper and Lower Limb NCS in Adult Populations  published

Training Program Partnership created
 

2015

Lobbyist in Washington DC hired to work with CMS and Congress to prevent fraud and abuse


2014

Value Based Payment position paper created
ABEM eliminates oral examination and approves moving to a testing center
Guidelines and Summary for Limb Girdle and Distal Dystrophies approved
On Site/Real Time position paper created
AANEM creates Choosing Wisely statements
Partners with Wake Forest to hold US Workshop
 

2013

Reporting The Results of Diagnostic Neuromuscular Ultrasound published
Laboratory Accreditation extended to laboratories located in Canada and US government laboratories offered abroad
 

2012

AANEM reaches 100 laboratories accredited
Significant reimbursement cuts implemented by CMS for 2013
 

2011

Tim Dillingham Proposes NCS Standardization Task Force
First laboratories approved
First Technologist Examination offered by ABEM
First neuromuscular medicine SAE offered
Bylaws changed to add collaborators to membership
Neuromuscular Medicine Qualifications Position statement published
 

2010

AANEM launches Laboratory Accreditation
CNCT credential developed
Grandfathered AAET certification
 


 

2009

Allied Health membership proposed to Bylaws and is rejected. Instead, technologist and researchers are added.
NM ultrasound qualification published
 

2007

Lawrence Phillips, II, MD becomes new Muscle & Nerve Editor
First teleconference offered by AANEM
Last videotape learning center held at annual meeting
 

2005

Olney Lecture Established
MI bill passes making EMG the practice of medicine
Reporting the Results of Needle EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies published
 

2004

AAEM becomes AANEM to reflect the broadening of its scope
Symposia and ultrasound added to the annual meeting
 

2003

Members dues are $245
First Industry Forum held
Joint AANEM and IFCN meeting held
 

2002

ABEM holds first maintenance of certification examination
Annual meeting registration available online for the first time

Watch: Dr. Busis Discusses Culture and Change During Presidency
Watch: Dr. Phillips Speaks About AANEM's 50th Anniversary
 


1999

AAEM publishes volume 1 Guidelines in Electrodiagnostic Medicine
AAEM produces first educational CD ROM
 

1998

Michael Aminoff becomes Muscle & Nerve editor
Peter Grant becomes Positive Waves editor
 

1995

Neil Busis creates AAEM web homepage
AAEM Foundation for Research and Education established
Ella Van Laningham retires, Shirlyn Adkins named executive director
 

1994

First email is sent to members
ABEM creates recertification examination
 

1993

AAEM creates Positive Waves as a member benefit and selects John Kincaid, MD, as its first editor
 

1991

Dinner seminars added to the annual meeting

Watch: Dr. Claire Wolfe Remembers Her Time as President
Watch: Dr. Mark Hallet Remembers 1990s Reimbursement Changes
 




1989

Membership votes to change name to American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AAEM)
AAEM publishes first practice parameter
 

1988

Jun Kimura, MD, becomes editor of Muscle & Nerve
 

1987

American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (ABEM) formed
AAEM's application for a seat in the American Medical Association House of Delegates is accepted
Tom Swift, MD, and Ian MacLean, MD, serve as AAEM's first HOD delegates
 

1984

Workshops and video tape library added to annual meeting
 

1982

Muscle & Nerve becomes official journal of the AAEE with Walter Bradley, DM, FRCP, as editor
News & Comments becomes regular feature in Muscle & Nerve
 

1980

Case report series added as member benefit
First glossary published

Watch: Dr. Jasper R. Daube Prioritized Financial Stability and Education During Presidency
Watch: Dr. Austin J. Sumner Reflects on the "Golden Age" of Electrodiagnostic Medicine
 


1979

Rochester, MN, becomes AAEE's home office
Ella Van Laningham is hired as executive secretary
First set of guidelines published
 

1978

Courses added to the annual meeting
 

1976

Monograph series started as member benefit
Gisela Wiederholt named AAEE's first executive secretary
 

1973

Gisela Wiederholt hired as part-time secretary

Watch: President Ernest W. Johnson, MD
Watch: Dr. John L. Melvin Discusses the Organization's Focus During 1979-80
 





1967

First examination given to 26 individuals on a trial basis
 




1955

First newsletter sent to members
Y. Thomas Oester, MD, served as newsletter editor
 

1954

First annual scientific meeting held in Washington, D.C.
 

1953

American Association of Electromyography and Electrodiagnosis (AAEE) founded at the Palmer House in Chicago, IL
Membership dues were $10
 

1951

James Golseth holds meeting at the Shirley-Savoy Hotel in Denver, CO, to discuss creating an organization for electromyography

Watch: Dr. James Golseth: AANEM's First President
Watch: Dr. George H. Koepke Reflects on AANEM's Early Years



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