Established in 2023, the American Headache Society's Leadership in Advocacy Development (LEAD) Program, aims to provide training, tools, mentorship, and support for mid-career healthcare professionals and physician advocacy leaders in headache medicine.
Participants will explore new opportunities for professional development with leaders in the field through formal didactic sessions and small group workshops, as well as the development of an advocacy project over a 2-year longitudinal timeframe.
Development topics will consist of the following:
- Practice Management including coding, regulatory requirements, reimbursement, and healthcare delivery models with the goal of enhancing patient care and improving the practice of headache medicine
- Engagement with the patient advocacy community
- Legislative advocacy
- DEI faculty-led discussions with a focus on closing healthcare disparities
- Traditional and social media training with the goal of enhancing message amplification and brand building
- Project management training including how to identify, focus the scope, plan, and implement a project
- 1:1 mentorship for the development and execution of a proposed advocacy project
Candidate Criteria
- Must be an AHS member in good standing for at least 3 years
- Must be 7+ years in clinical practice
- Must have a strong interest in practice management and/or advocacy
Must Commit To:
- Attending (in-person) the 2025 Scottsdale Headache Symposium and 2026 Headache on the Hill events
- The development and completion of a proposed advocacy project over a 2-year longitudinal timeframe
- Attending virtual events as assigned through the program duration
Application and Supporting Materials
Applicants must complete this online application form and provide the following supporting materials:
- CV
- Letter of support speaking to the leadership potential and interest in advocacy of the applicant
- Personal statement up to 500 words. Questions to consider:
- What has motivated you to apply?
- What would you like to accomplish as an advocate?
- As a busy professional, how will you make time to pursue your advocacy project? How many hours per month can you dedicate?
- Health professional/physician advocacy project proposal up to 500 words describing your major goal/vision for the 2-year longitudinal program and your desired outcome. Questions to consider:
- What are you trying to do? What health problem are you trying to solve?
- How does this get done at present and what are the current challenges?
- What is novel about your approach? Why do you think you can be successful at this time?
Applications will be reviewed and rated according to the following:
- Academic history and productivity
- Clarity and strength of advocacy interest and goals
- Feasibility and potential impact of the proposed advocacy project
- Demonstrated commitment to leadership and professional development
- Interest in practice management, challenges, and potential solutions
- Potential for the applicant to provide leadership in headache medicine and make meaningful contributions to professional advocacy in headache medicine
SPOTS ARE LIMITED! APPLICATIONS AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025.