Volunteer on a Committee or Task Force

Following the Annual Assembly, the President appoints members to committees for the coming year; some committee members rotate off each year so there are opportunities for new appointments annually. Task forces are also created throughout the year when needed to work on new projects or programs.

If you'd like to be considered for a committee or task force appointment, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form and send it along with your CV (or resume) in an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  describing your experience and areas of interest. All information is kept on file and reviewed as needs arise for task forces, content experts, liaisons to other groups, or representatives of various constituencies to respond to surveys and assist with program and product development.

The current committees and task forces are:

Academic Palliative Medicine Task Force will develop and implement a strategy for building a robust academic sector with the capacity for education, research and clinical program development.

Annual Assembly Program Planning Committee designs a comprehensive educational experience including plenary, concurrent, and paper/poster sessions using evaluation and needs assessment data, educational abstract submissions, and knowledge of current issues.

Annual Assembly Scientific Program Sub-Committee reviews, assesses and selects abstracts, as well as determine paper and poster award winners.

The Business Practice Task Force tracks key practice issues and trends (demographic, geographic, reimbursement, etc.) within hospice and palliative medicine, considers their implications related to practice management and patient safety, and recommends effective tools and resources that will provide technical assistance to members.

Clinical Education Committee oversees the educational programs and products designed for the clinical practice of hospice and palliative medicine (both foundational and advanced level). The content will support the review and preparation for hospice and palliative medicine board exams, the clinical practice of hospice medical directors and ongoing advanced clinical practice competence.

The Communities Committee manages the Academy’s constituency model by establishing and maintaining guidelines, policies, practices and other resources for special interest groups.

The Ethics Committee reviews and provides guidance on specific ethical issues related to the field of hospice and palliative medicine, periodically reviews relevant position statements, and raises ethical issues that should be brought to the attention of the SCC and Board.

The External Awareness Task Force develops programs of outreach and education to relevant organizations including the specialty societies of the ten co-sponsoring boards. The committee also provides counsel on public awareness outreach, materials and media-related activities.

The International Issues Task Force identifies appropriate ways the Academy and its membership can effectively engage with physicians outside the United States through education and clinical experiences.

Leadership Development Committee is exploring and developing education, training and mentoring opportunities to meet the goals of leadership development for physicians in all practice settings of hospice and palliative care.

Medical Directors Education Committee oversees the educational programs and products designed for the hospice medical director and provides advice and guidance in the consideration of a hospice medical director credential.

The Public Policy Committee addresses advocacy issues that affect members and the hospice and palliative medicine community at large in an efficient and timely manner. This is accomplished through ongoing monitoring of federal and state legislation; making recommendations for action to Academy leadership; developing position statements; and keeping AAHPM members engaged and informed.

The Quality and Practice Standards Task Force addresses activities within and across the 3-dimensional framework of practice settings;  organizations working on  measures and indicators; and, institutional/physician payment systems, as well as participates in the creation and dissemination of performance standards on behalf of AAHPM.

The Research Committee recommends ways in which the Academy can promote training, funding and implementation of research. The committee also collaborates with other national organizations to formulate a national research agenda for palliative care and advocate for increased funding.

The Workforce Strategy Committee identifies and reports key workforce metrics, trends and indicators pertinent to hospice and palliative medicine along with ways to attract, develop and retain competent leaders and prepared physicians – including researchers, educators and clinicians – within the field.