Trainee Talk: A Medical Student’s Perspective on the AANEM Annual Meeting

As a second-year medical student with an interest in neuromuscular medicine, I was really excited to attend the AANEM Annual Meeting in Orlando this September. Most of my exposure to the field had come through research, shadowing, and conversations with mentors, so I was looking forward to experiencing the specialty on a much larger scale. What I didn't expect was just how much the meeting would have to offer someone so early in their medical training.

Some of my favorite sessions focused on what training and life in the field actually look like. Dr. London and Dr. Newman's "The Path to Becoming an EDX/NM Neurologist and PM&R Physician" and Dr. Jacobson and Dr. Girouard's "The Life of EDX/NM Neurologists and PM&R Physicians" were particularly interesting. As medical students, we spend a lot of time thinking about which specialty we want to pursue but often don't know what questions we should be asking about the training and careers that follow. I found myself learning about aspects of training and careers that I hadn't even thought to consider before attending, like how much fellowship experiences can differ, how physicians decide between academic and private practice, and how they balance clinical work, procedures, teaching, and research. Hearing physicians share their experiences gave me a much better sense of the different directions a career in the field could take. 

The educational sessions were another highlight. I'll admit that some of the material was definitely above my current level of knowledge, but that was part of the fun. It was exciting to see concepts I'd learned in class being discussed in the context of real clinical questions. Even more exciting was hearing about new and emerging treatments that haven't made their way into our medical school textbooks yet. We're often learning the established approaches to diagnosing and treating diseases, so getting to hear about therapies currently being studied and how the field is evolving was really interesting. It was a great reminder of how quickly medicine is advancing and how much more there is to learn beyond the classroom.

One of the nicest parts of the meeting was the sense of community among trainees. AANEM organized dedicated breakfasts and lunches for medical students, residents, and fellows, which made it easy to meet people at different stages of training. I really enjoyed hearing from students who were figuring out their interests just like me, as well as residents and fellows who were further along in the process. It was interesting to hear how everyone's experiences and plans differed, even when we shared similar interests. These conversations were also a great opportunity to ask questions in a more casual setting, and they made the meeting feel much more welcoming.

If you're a medical student considering attending AANEM, I would absolutely encourage you to go! You don't need to have your career figured out or know much about electrodiagnostic medicine to have a great experience. Attend sessions that interest you, introduce yourself to people, and take advantage of the opportunities to meet other trainees. I left Orlando with new connections, a better understanding of the field, and plenty of things I wanted to explore further. Most importantly, I had a genuinely great time meeting people who share my interests and enthusiasm for neuromuscular medicine. I'm already looking forward to seeing everyone again at the 2027 AANEM Annual Meeting in San Antonio!