Develop Your Leadership Skills with AHS at the 2026 Emerging Leaders Program
Applications are now open for the 2026 Emerging Leaders Program.
Established in 2016, the American Headache Society's Emerging Leaders Program is dedicated to identifying and cultivating the next generation of leaders in headache medicine. This program serves as a solid foundation for future success in leadership roles across organizational, institutional, and other domains. Applications open Monday, August 3.
The 2026 program will kick off on Wednesday, December 2, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, in conjunction with the 2026 Scottsdale Headache Symposium®. Participants will receive complimentary registration and paid expenses for both the Scottsdale Headache Symposium and the 69th Annual Scientific Meeting.
They will also participate in targeted leadership development activities and collaborate on a team project to be presented to the AHS Board of Directors in June 2027 at the Annual Scientific Meeting. These projects provide actionable insights for the AHS community, such as the strategic usage of artificial intelligence to advance our mission or the development of resources to help USNC-accredited fellowship directors lead effectively. View past ELP projects and participants.
Through this longitudinal program, participants will learn about opportunities to engage within the Society, including Committees, Special Interest Groups, and Task Forces. Participants will also work closely with project mentors, leaders in the Society and the headache medicine field, receiving wisdom and guidance for successful project completion.
For past participants like Patricia Olson, MD, PhD (2024), the impact of this interprofessional collegiality surprisingly goes beyond project completion. “Over the year of working together, I was able to share some challenges that I had… and we could troubleshoot and come up with answers and solutions together,” said Dr. Olson. “The peer-mentor relationships have really turned into friendships,” added Dr. Olson. “We all have a shared experience and shared goals to contribute to the American Headache Society and the field of headache medicine in general." Hear more experiences from past participants:
Eligible applicants must be AHS members in good standing for at least one year and must have completed a training program or terminal research degree within the past seven years. Current residents and fellows are not eligible. Participants must commit to attending the initial day-long program, the Scottsdale Headache Symposium, the Annual Scientific Meeting, and a Virtual Mid-year Forum.
To apply, candidates must complete the online application and submit a letter of interest, CV, and a letter of support from an AHS member in good standing. The letter of interest should outline the applicant’s leadership experience, academic background, and commitment to AHS. Applications are due Sunday, September 13, with final decisions expected on or around Monday, October 5.
We invite all eligible members to apply and look forward to welcoming the next class of leaders!