NYSAN was formed by New York neuropsychologists with the broad intent of acting as a trade organization for neuropsychology in New York. In May 2006, NYSAN was incorporated as a not-for-profit professional, type 501(C) 6 corporation. A group of neuropsychologists, including Joanne Festa, PhD, William Barr, PhD, Michael Santa Maria, PhD, Jennifer Manly, PhD, Ralph Benedict, PhD, Tony Wong, PhD, and Robert McCaffrey, PhD, founded NYSAN. A critical matter that led to the formation of NYSAN was a potential restriction of trade matter involving interpretation of a 2003 Scope of Practice law for psychologists in New York. NYSAN's first mission has been to achieve a clear interpretation that use of technicians in the practice of neuropsychology in accordance with national standards is appropriate in New York.
NYSAN’s mission statement:
"NYSAN is a professional organization created to foster and promote the science and practice of neuropsychology in accordance with the national standards set by the American Psychological Association, American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, and National Academy of Neuropsychology. Our activities may include but are not limited to professional advocacy and lobbying; education by means of meetings, conferences and workshops; and collaboration with other professional groups with similar goals and interests."
Charter members have contributed $250.00 each in start-up funds. In order to maintain a viable organization or vehicle by which to effectively address the technician issue as well as other potentially related issues that might arise in the future, NYSAN has already been actively engaged in raising funds from various sources. For initial start-up funds, which include legal fees and other organizational costs, NYSAN has sought and received funding via member contributions and several organizational donations.
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NYSAN’s initiative:
NYSAN’s current initiative is to obtain a clear interpretation that use of technicians in accordance with the standards set forth by national and international professional organizations in neuropsychology and federal Medicare laws is appropriate in New York. After the New York State psychology Scope of Practice legislation was adopted in 2003, questions arose regarding the ability of psychologists to employ and utilize psychology technicians. Technicians are used to assist in providing psychological and neuropsychological assessment services. A restriction of this nature would significantly adversely impact the practice of psychology and neuropsychology in New York particularly with respect to provision of services to underserved populations and to patients in remote regions of the state. This NYSAN initiative supports the profession of clinical neuropsychology and seeks to promote the public welfare.
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