The Guidelines Committee Empowers Members to Advance Headache Medicine

The Guidelines Committee was created to make it easier for our members to contribute meaningful, high-quality work to the field of headache medicine. The committee serves as a resource that encourages and supports members in developing AHS publications, helping ensure the right content is shared and successfully published. The committee is led by Co-Chairs Andrew Hershey, MD, PhD, FAHS, & Michael Marmura, MD, FAHS.

The committee plays a key role in shaping AHS-endorsed work. It acts as a gatekeeper, to ensure that anything carrying the AHS name reflects the Society’s scientific standards and expertise. But as Dr. Hershey puts it, this gatekeeping comes with “freedom within the framework.” The structure is there to protect quality, not to restrict creativity.

AHS members are encouraged to bring their ideas forward at any stage, even before a clear plan has taken shape. From there, the committee helps transform those early ideas into projects ready for formal review. As Dr. Marmura explains, “I enjoy looking at the evidence and answering difficult questions. We want to help our members' proposals become successful publications which advance our mission.” That process of drafting protocols, managing conflicts of interest, and providing ongoing feedback ensures that by the time a project reaches the Board for approval, it has been thoroughly vetted and shaped to meet AHS standards.

AHS members have several ways to contribute to the field. Some may develop Clinical Practice Guidelines or Position Statements (for more information, see our Clinical Practice Guidelines page). Others may have smaller ideas, a more focused recommendation, a clarification of evidence, or a proposal that grows over time. The committee welcomes all ideas and is ready to help any member, even if those ideas are still taking shape.

Whatever path members take, the Guidelines Committee is here to help. Drs. Hershey and Marmura emphasize that they are here as a resource for AHS members, offering structure, experience, and support to shape their ideas into meaningful contributions. If you want help on a project, get in touch with the guidelines committee.