2025 Resident Education Program Recap
The 2025 Resident Education Program took place October 24-26, 2025, in Los Angeles, California, bringing together adult and pediatric neurology residents for an immersive introduction to headache medicine. The program offered a solid foundation in diagnosis, treatment, and management through expert lectures, small-group workshops, and interactive discussions, while fostering collaboration and mentorship among future leaders in the field.
Matthew Robbins, MD, created the American Headache Society Resident Education Program in 2017. Since its inception, this program has inspired over 550 residents to explore the field of headache medicine. With the support of AHS leadership and co-director Melissa Rayhill, MD, FAHS, FAAN, the program invites distinguished, thought-provoking, and fun faculty, creating a fantastic first impression for trainees. Many past participants are now colleagues in headache medicine.
Building on this strong tradition, many faculty echoed how meaningful the weekend felt. Deborah Friedman, MD, MPH, FAHS, shared once again that this is her “favorite weekend of the year,” and Dr. Rayhill wholeheartedly agreed, reflecting on the enthusiasm and camaraderie that define the program.
Event Highlights
One key session, “Basics of Headache in Adults and Children,” was moderated by Todd Schwedt, MD, MS, FAHS, with Sara Pavitt, MD, focusing on headache in children and adolescents. Another highlight, Advanced Headache Therapies, led by Amy Gelfand, MD, MAS, FAHS, explored emerging treatment approaches.
Peter Goadsby, MD, PhD, FAHS, and Andrew Charles, MD, delivered especially memorable talks. Both offered big-picture perspectives on headache pathophysiology, helping residents understand how far the field has come, where current science is pointing us, and how those insights can shape better care in the future.
The weekend also featured hands-on learning in small-group workshops. One of the workshops was Emergency and Inpatient Headache, led by Stephanie Nahas, MD, MSEd, FAHS, and Noah Rosen, MD, FAHS, where residents practiced applying their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
The highlight of the weekend was the East versus West trivia competition, moderated by Dr. Nahas from the Jefferson Headache Center. Another inspiring moment came from faculty who shared personal stories about what led them to pursue careers in headache medicine.
The program concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Rayhill, who emphasized the importance of continued learning and collaboration in headache medicine.
Looking Ahead
Through its mix of foundational learning, hands-on workshops, and mentorship opportunities, the Resident Education Program continues to play a vital role in preparing the next generation of headache specialists. Participants leave equipped to diagnose and manage headache disorders with confidence, integrate evidence-based care, and contribute to advancing the field.
The American Headache Society remains committed to fostering an inclusive, collaborative community. It looks forward to future events that bring together trainees and experts from across the country to share knowledge, inspire innovation, and advance headache medicine.