AAHPM committees play a vital role in advancing hospice and palliative medicine through education, equity, workforce development, and professional standards.
Committees are composed of member volunteers who collaborate primarily via email and conference calls and serve two‑year terms supporting the Academy’s strategic priorities.
How Committees Fit Into Governance?
AAHPM committees support the Academy’s governance structure and strategic priorities under the oversight of Strategic Coordinating Committees (SCCs) and the Board of Directors. Committee work advances education, equity, finance, community engagement, and workforce development across the organization.
Why Volunteer?
- Contribute to the advancement of hospice and palliative medicine.
- Shape education, policy, equity, and workforce initiatives.
- Collaborate with national leaders in HPM.
- Build leadership experience within AAHPM governance.
Call for Volunteers
Ensure your email address is up to date in order to receive notification when the Call for Volunteers opens each October.
2026-2027 Active AAHPM Committees
Below is the list of all active 2026–2027 committees. Click through to view committee descriptions and current rosters.
Description
The Annual Assembly Program Planning Committee designs a comprehensive educational experience including a variety of sessions using evaluation and needs assessment data, educational abstract submissions, and knowledge of current issues.
Committee Roster:
- Christina Ullrich, MD MPH FAAHPM (Chair)
- Priya Pinto, MD FAAHPM (Chair-Elect)
- Diane Dozois, MD HMDC DAADP
- Roshni Guerry, MD FAAHPM
- Tonya Hershman, PharmD
- Adam Marks, MD MPH FAAHPM
- Leah Rosenberg, MD FAAHPM
This committee makes up members from AAHPM and HPNA.
Description
The Annual Assembly Scientific Subcommittee supports researcher career development and promotes evidence-based practice in hospice and palliative care. This committee also manages the Scientific Research Call for Abstracts and works with the Assembly Planning Committee to integrate high-quality research into the annual conference. Additionally, it collaborates with State of the Science Symposium co-chairs when held, ensuring alignment and avoiding duplication.
Committee Roster:
- Sarina Isenberg, MD PhD (Chair)
- Robert Arnold, MD FAAHPM
- Ronit Elk, PhD FAAHPM
- Sarah Godfrey, MD MPH
- Maria Jaen-Carrizo
- Rebecca Yamarik, MD MPH HMDC
This committee makes up members from AAHPM and HPNA.
Description
The Academic Palliative Medicine Council works through the Academy governance structure to ensure that issues and programs important to academic palliative care clinicians are addressed and developed. The APM Council will foster and build meaningful communication, connection, and collaboration among academic palliative medicine professionals, expand and develop opportunities further engagement within the Academy, and identify and develop resources for academic palliative medicine clinicians.
Committee Roster:
- Craig Blinderman, MD MA FAAHPM (Chair)
- Sarah Ehrman, MD
- Ahashta Johnson, MD FAAHPM
- Justine McGiboney, MD
- Elizabeth Nugent, MD
- Jennifer Reyes, MD MPH
- Adi Shafir, MD
- Sara Suleman, MD FACP FRCPC
Description
The Awards Committee is tasked with reviewing nominees for AAHPM’s annual awards and making selections based on established criteria and a thorough evaluation of each nominee’s qualifications.
Committee Roster:
- Arif Kamal, MD MBA MHS FAAHPM (Chair)
- Elise Carey, MD FAAHPM FACP
- Jose Contreras. MD FAAHPM
- Bethany-Rose Daubman, MD FAAHPM
- Ronit Elk, PhD FAAHPM
- Amanda Lorenz, MD FAAHPM
- Diana Martins-Welch, MD
Description
The Communities Committee guides the Academy’s constituency structure by creating and maintaining policies, guidelines, and resources for councils, special interest groups, and forums. Additionally, the committee oversees the application process and eligibility criteria for Fellows of the Academy.
Committee Roster:
- Brett Prestia, DO HMDC (Chair)
- Jaya Gupta, DO (Chair-Elect)
- Elisheva Newman, MD
- Tonya Smith-Hershman, PharmD
- Ron Sand, MD
Description
The Curriculum and Faculty Development Committee champions faculty development pathways that cultivate a diverse cadre of educators and leaders across disciplines. The Committee ensures curricula and competency development initiatives reflect both the highest quality of care delivery and the diversity of the hospice and palliative care workforce and the populations served. In collaborate with AAHPM staff and volunteer leaders, the committee works to promote educational innovations and faculty development projects.
Committee Roster:
- Stephen Berns, MD FAAHPM (Co-Chair)
- Laura Dingfield, MD FAAHPM (Co-Chair)
- Brianna Ketterer, MD MS
- Katie Morrison, MD FAAHPM
- Laura Morrison, MD FAAHPM FACP
- Katie Stowers, DO FAAHPM
- Holly Yang, MD MACP HMDC FAAHPM
Description
The Development Committee provides input and oversight to Academy fund development initiatives including individual giving campaigns or appeals and corporate/foundation related activities.
Committee Roster:
- Paul Tatum, MD MSPh FAAHPM (Chair)
- Bethany-Rose Daubman, MD FAAHPM
- Andrew Lawton, MD FAAHPM FACP
- Sarah Minor, DO HMDC FACOEP
- Rebecca Sands, DO FAAPM
- Dillon Stein, DO FAAHPM
- Jacob Strand, MD FACP FAAHPM
- Gregg Vandekieft, MD MA FAAHPM
Description
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee builds and implements a measurable and actionable Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. The Committee promotes a greater understanding of the importance of supporting diversity and fostering a culture of inclusion. With a focus on methods to attract, develop and sustain a robust and diverse workforce to expand access to high-quality hospice and palliative care, the committee ensures everything the association does is considered through a lens of equity and access.
Committee Roster:
- Jon Furuno, PhD FAAHPM (Chair)
- Noelle Marie Javier, MD AGSF FAAHPM (Past-Chair)
- Eberechi Nwogu-Onyempka, MD MS (Chair-Elect)
- Carlo Basilio, MD MPH
- Michael Brigoli, MD
- Carine Davila, MD MPH
- Kimberlee Fong, DO
- Ayano Kiyota, MD PhD FAAFP FAAHPM
- Diana Martins-Welch, MD
- Arpita Mohanty, DO
- Edward Penate, DMin, BCC
- Jemella Raymore, MD
- Antonio Saavedra
- Emily Short, BA BS
Description
The Fellowship Training Committee empowers hospice and palliative medicine fellowship directors to achieve excellence by providing programs and tools to enhance the quality and diversity of their fellowship programs. The committee manages the foundation supported fellowship grants program including distribution of grants, program development for recipients’ fellows, and oversight of impact studies. Additionally, they identify opportunities to inform, educate, and support fellowship programs in their efforts to obtain local funding.
Committee Roster:
- Mollie Biewald, MD FAAHPM (Chair)
- Samuel Anandan, MD
- Brittany Cowfer, MD
- Derek Chui, DO FAAFP
- Sarah Dewitt, MD
- Emilee Flynn, MD MPH
- Regina Laico, MD
- Rex Alvin Paulino, MD AGSF FAAHPM
- Melissa Teply, MD FAAHPM FACP
Description
The Finance and Audit Committee is responsible for establishing a financial and auditing system that is consistent with current law and follows good accounting principles, preparing an annual budget for approval by the board, seeing that a certified audit or review is conducted annually, and supervising the maintenance of complete and correct records and books of all financial matters.
Committee Roster:
- Gary Buckholz, MD HMDC FAAHPM (Chair)
- Leslie Avant
- Kimberly Curseen, MD FAAHPM
- Tochi Iroku-Malize, MD MBA MPH FAAFP FAAHPM
- Rafina Khateeb, MD MBA FAAHPM FACP
Description
The Governance Committee is responsible for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the Academy’s governance process and structure. This includes ensuring that the board meets its legal, ethical, and functional responsibilities through the development of effective policies, active committee engagement, strategic board recruitment, comprehensive orientation programs, regular self-assessment, ongoing education, and effective management practices.
Committee Roster:
- Michael D. Barnett, MD MS FAAP FACP (Chair)
- Amber Comer, JD PhD FAAHPM
- Gregg Robbins-Welty, MD MS HEC-C
- Kristi Saunders, MD MS HMDC FACOG DC
- Justin Woods, MD MBA
Description
The Hospice Medicine Council works through the Academy governance structure to ensure that issues and programs important to hospice clinicians are addressed and developed. The HM Council will foster and build meaningful communication, connection and collaboration among hospice professionals, expand and develop opportunities for to further engagement within the Academy and identify and support resources for hospice professionals.
Committee Roster:
- Timothy “Mark” Corbett, MD MA HMDC FAAHPM (Chair)
- Kristen Edwards, MD FAAHPM
- Lawrence Bruce Greenberg, MD FAAFP
- Amy Hinton, MD MBA
- Kathleen McCabe, DO
- Kristen Schaefer, MD HMDC FAAHPM
- Manish Srivastava, MD FAAHPM
Description
The Hospice Work Group is a new group for 2026, focused on engaging members in translating AAHPM Goals related to Hospice into actionable initiatives. This workgroup will help to determine the Academy’s strategy to address hospice challenges in a coordinated way across our committees and councils. Representatives from any discipline and work type are invited to participate, but individuals with experience in the hospice space are strongly encouraged to apply.
Committee Roster:
- Kristi Newport, MD HMDC FAAHPM (Chair)
- Mark Corbett, MD MA HMDC FAAHPM (Hospice Council Liaison)
- Sandhya Bhalla-Regev, MD FAAHPM
- Cory Chevalier, MD FAAHPM FACP
- Gail Cooney, MD FAAHPM
- Tommie Farrell, MD HMDC FAAHPM
- Cory Ingram, MD MS FAAHPM
- Jasmin Jerez-Marte, MD HMDC FAAHPM
- Edward Martin, MD MPH HMDC FAAHPM FACP
- Martina Meier, MD HMDC FAAHPM
- Judi Lund Person, MPH CHC
- Joseph Shega, MD
- Brenda Stokes, MD CMD HMDC FAAFP
- Paul Tatum III, MD MSPh FAAHPM
- Meaghann Weaver, MD MPH
- Holly Yang, MD MACP HMDC FAAHPM
Description
The Leadership and Career Development Committee is charged with providing guidance regarding development and execution of dynamic training and learning experiences, ensuring interprofessional are equipped with effective leadership and management skills appropriate for varied and evolving health care settings.
Committee Roster:
- David Buxton, MD FAAHPM (Chair)
- Niharika Ganta, MD MPH FAAHPM
- Elizabeth Lindenberger, MD FAAHPM
- Amanda Linz, MD MS FAAP
- Adam Marks, MD MPH FAAHPM
- Michael Matthews, MD
Description
The Leadership Development Committee is responsible for identifying and cultivating new leaders within the organization, as well as recruiting future leaders for both the Board and various committees. The committee ensures that the nominating process and leadership opportunities are well-publicized, and it is tasked with developing the slate of candidates for officers and directors. A key priority of the committee is to conduct the nominating process in a fair and transparent manner.
Committee Roster:
- Arif Kamal, MD MBA MHS FASCO FAAHPM (Chair)
- Michael Brigoli, MD
- Mina Chang, MD HMDC FAAHPM
- Kimberly Curseen, MD FAAHPM
- Perihan El Shanawany, MD MBA
- Katy Hyman, MDiv
- Robert Leavitt, MBA MDiv MAT BCC
- Thomas LeBlanc, MD MA MHS FAAHPM
- Arshia Madni, MD FAAP FAAHPM
- Ben Moresco, MD FAAP
- Alvin Reaves III, MD FACP FAAHPM
Description
The Medical Student and Resident Engagement Committee works to build and sustain a diverse workforce. This committee aims to attract, educate, develop and retain the newest members of the Academy and workforce to expand access to high quality hospice and palliative care.
Committee Roster:
- Carolyn Kezar, MD MS FAAHPM FACP (Chair)
- Jennifer Fan, MD MPH
- Lindsay Freeman, MD
- Jaya Gupta, DO
- Priya Gyani, MD
- Zachary Klock, MD
- Ashima Lal, MD FAAHPM
- Nicole McCann, MD
- Annie Phung, DO
- Gregg Robbins-Welty, MD MS HEC-C
- Margaret Robinson, MD
- Alana Sagin, MD FAAHPM
- Adi Shafir, MD
- Allison Shen, MD
Description
As part of our strategic efforts to enhance member value and experience, this task force will collaborate with McKinley Advisors to explore innovative approaches to membership structure and benefits. Their work is grounded in the findings of the recent McKinley Membership Evaluation Report and the AAHPM Board Reports, which highlighted key areas for improvement:
- Career Stage-Specific Support: Tailoring benefits to early-, mid-, and late-career members.
- Enhanced Engagement & Onboarding: Creating more structured and virtual networking opportunities.
- Value Perception: Addressing the gap where only 12% of members feel the value exceeds the cost.
- Benefit Realignment: Exploring unique bundles, free content access, and flexible membership options.
Committee Roster:
- Brett Prestia, DO HMDC (Communication Liaison)
- Ryan Baldeo, PA FAAHPM
- Keith Lagnese, MD FAAHPM FACHPM
- Amy Porter, MD PhD
- Shayna Rich, MD MA PhD FAAHPM
- Amanda Thompson, PhD
- Ben Thompson, MD
- Brittany Waterman, MD
- Mei-Ean Yeow, MD FAAHPM
Description
The Next Gen Scholars Work Group plays a vital role in identifying and cultivating relationships with HBCUs and overseeing the scholars and sponsors’ application, selection and matching process. This group also makes recommendations on how to improve the program and expand marketing efforts.
Committee Roster:
- Alvin Reaves, MD FACP FAAHPM FACP (Chair)
- Kimberly Curseen, MD FAAHPM (Ex-Officio Member)
- Ronit Elk, PhD FAAHPM
- Heather Harris, MD FAAHPM
- Maisha Robinson, MD MS FAAN FAAHPM
- Blossom Tewelde, MD
- Shellie Williams, MD FAAHPM
Description
The Pediatrics Council works through the Academy governance structure advance pediatric care by facilitating best practices, education, research, advocacy and collaboration to ensure better care for pediatric patients and their families throughout the medical continuum.
Committee Roster:
- Allison Silverstein, MD MBA MS (Chair)
- Hemangini Bhakta, MD
- Patricia Feefer, MD FAAHPM
- Rachel Kentor, PhD
- Alexis Morvant, MD MA FAAHPM FAAP
- Terrance Murphy, MD FAAHPM
- Sarah Taub, MD MBE
- Megan Thorvilson, MD MDiv
- Theresa Vente, DO MPH
Description
The Position Statements Committee assists the Academy in making official statements on a wide variety of issues with the potential to impact patients and families facing serious illness and the health professionals who care for them. This entails reviewing and responding to requests for new statements, reviewing, and maintaining existing statements, identifying new topics in need of statements, creating and overseeing time-limited Position Statement Workgroups as indicated, and ensuring easy, organized access to Position Statements for members, learners, and the public.
Committee Roster:
- Michael Barnett, MD MS FAAP FACP FAAHPM (Chair)
- Morgan Bain, MD FAAHPM
- Craig Blinderman, MD MA FAAPM
- Mark Corbett, MD MA HMDC FAAHPM
- Kyle Edmonds, MD FAAHPM
- Stacy Fischer, MD
- Jillian Gustin, MD FAAHPM
- Michael Huber, MD MS HEC-C
- Erica Kaye, MD MPH FAAHPM
- Priya Pinto, MD FAAHPM
- Allison Silverstein, MD MBA MS
Description
The Publications Committee serves as the forum for strategic oversight, communication and coordination regarding AAHPM official publications, including Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, PC-FACs and AAHPM Quarterly.
Committee Roster:
- Carla S Alexander, MD FAAHPM
- Prasanna Ananth, MD MPJ
- Arpit Aurora, MD
- David J Casarett, MD MA FAAHPM
- Eric Goodlev, MD FAAHPM
- Aldebra Schroll, MD
- Jason A Webb, MD FAAHPM
Description
The Public Policy Committee examines public policy issues with the potential to impact members, their patients, and the field; develop AAHPM’s advocacy agenda; and guides the Academy’s response to legislative and regulatory proposals.
Committee Roster:
- Rab Razzak, MD FAAHPM (Co-Chair)
- Lori A Earnshaw, MD HMDC FAAHPM (Co-Chair)
- Claire K Ankuda, MD MPH (Past-Chair)
- Kimberly Bower, MD HMDC FAAHPM DC
- Amy L Davis, DO MACP MS FAAHPM
- Bradley Eckert, MD MS
- Debra Lotstein, MD MPH FAAP FAAHPM
- Sonia Malhotra, MD MS FAAHPM FAAP
- Zach Rossfeld, MD MA FAAHPM
- David Steinhorn, FAAP
- Melissa Wachterman, MD MPH
Description
The Quality Committee promotes and guides activities that improve the quality of health care and advance evidence-based practice and person-centered research to support quality and equitable care for people with serious illness and their caregivers in all settings.
Committee Roster:
- Emily Martin, MD MS FAAHPM (Chair)
- Laura P. Gelfman, MD MPH FAAHPM (Past-Chair)
- Michael Huber, MD MS HEC-C (Chair-Elect)
- Alia Berlin, FNP
- Erin Bendas, DO MA FAAHPM
- Ramandeep Kaur, MD MHA HMDC FAAHPM
- Britni Lookabaugh, MD FAAHPM
- Jasmin Meinke‑Zhao, MD
- Ramiro Osvaldo Navia, MD
- Carol Noon, MS
- Morvarid Rezaie, DO HMDC
- Audrey Tan, DO FAAHPM
- Meaghan Trainor, MD
- Finly Zachariah, MD FAAFP FAAHPM
Description
The Research Committee recommends ways in which the Academy can promote training, collaborating, funding and advancing of evidence-based practice and person-centered research to support quality and equitable care, while fostering the Academy as the home for hospice and palliative medicine interprofessional researchers.
Committee Roster:
- Sarah Cross, MPH PhD LMSW
- Sarina Isenberg, MA PhD
- Ashwin Kotwal, MD MS
- Elizabeth Kvale, MD MSPH FAAHPM
- Thomas LeBlanc, MD MA MHS FAAHPM
- Cara McDermott, MSc PharmD PhD
- Megan Mullins
- Arienne Patano, RN BSN CHPN
- Laura Petrillo, MD
- Gina Piscitello, MD MS FAAHPM
- Daniel Shalev, MD
- Sarguni Singh, MD
- Nneka Ufere, MD
- Keisha White Makinde, MD MPH
Description
The State of the Science Program Planning Committee designs the AAHPM State of the Science program to achieve the outcomes using the evaluations, needs assessments, abstract management process, and integration of diversity, equity and inclusion. The committee’s purpose is to support and advance the science of hospice and palliative care by fostering an inclusive community with multidisciplinary collaboration, build capacity through investigator development, and share cutting-edge research methods and strategies by scientists at all career stages.
Committee Roster:
- Karla Washington, PhD (Co-Chair)
- Shena Gazaway, RN PhD CHPN (Co-Chair)
- Kathleen Unroe, MD MHA MS (Past-Chair)
- Joan Carpenter, PhD ACHPN FAAN (Past-Chair)
- Karen Bullock, PhD
- Deborah Ejem, MA PhD
- Jennifer Gabbard, MD
- Rachel Hadler, MD
- Virginia LeBaron, PhD ACHPN FAAN
- Kristin Levoy, RN MSN PhD OCN
- Joseph Neiman, ND MPH
- Shayna Rich, MD MA PhD FAAHPM
- Michael Smith, PharmD FCCP FAAHPM