[7] In 1982, Penn was appointed professor of neurology, in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University.

[1] She practiced as a neurologist at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, and gained a training fellowship from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the NIH.

[1][4] She described her role: "My job goes all the way from making policy regarding finding the causes of neurological disorders, to training new neurologists and scientists, to dealing with patients and the general public," she says.

"[5] Penn also became the first African-American woman to serve as a director of an institute of the NIH, acting in that capacity for NINDS from January to July in 1998, and then from February 2001 to August 2003.

A member of the ANA who advances research or education efforts that advocate for health equity is considered a good candidate for this level of recognition.