American Spinal Injury Association

Mission

The mission of the American Spinal Injury Association is:

(a) to promote and establish standards of excellence for all aspects of health care of individuals with spinal cord injury from onset throughout life.

(b) to educate members, other healthcare professionals, patients and their families as well as the public on all aspects of spinal cord injury and its consequences in order to prevent injury, improve care, increase availability of services and maximize the injured individual's potential for full participation in all areas of community life.

(c) to foster research which aims at preventing spinal cord injury, improving care, reducing consequent disability, and finding a cure for both acute and chronic SCI.

(d) to facilitate communication between members and other physicians, allied health care professionals, researchers and consumers.

Membership

ASIA is a multidisciplinary organization whose membership is composed of physicians and allied health professionals specifically involved in spinal cord injury management. Current membership numbers 452 of which 85% are physicians. The remaining 15% are nurses, therapists, psychologists and other allied health professionals. Currently, annual dues range from $100 to $350 depending on membership category.

Individuals may apply for membership twice a year. Deadline for submission of applications is February 1 and August 1. Applicants are reviewed by the Membership Committee which makes recommendation for election to the Board of Directors.

Benefits of Membership

• Significant registration discount to the Annual Scientific Meeting.
• Subscription to "The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine," the official journal of ASIA, which is a peer-reviewed publication of scientific and clinical articles focused on issues of spinal cord injury. (Note: Corresponding members do NOT receive a subscription.)
• Access to online "Members Only" resources on ASIA's Internet website.
• The opportunity to work in a national, multidisciplinary organization to advocate for issues related to SCI care, research and legislation.
• Opportunities to network and share clinical ideas with the nation's leaders in spinal cord injury care.
• Eligibility to apply for research and educational grants. Awards for published papers and scientific presentations.

Website

The American Spinal Injury Association has developed an Internet website to provide information and education about Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) to ASIA members and to the general public.