Chicago, IL — November 24, 2025 — The American Epilepsy Society (AES) is proud to announce its successful application to the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates, securing an official seat and a stronger voice in shaping national health policy. This milestone achievement was made possible by the commitment of many AES members. 20% of the Society’s physician members hold AMA membership—many having joined in support of this initiative. AES will officially claim the seat in June of 2026 at the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates.
The House of Delegates serves as the principal policy-making body of the AMA and provides a forum for physicians across specialties to influence the future of healthcare. With this new seat, AES will ensure that the unique perspectives and needs of people with epilepsy, their families, and the professionals who serve them are represented in these critical discussions.
AES President Howard P. Goodkin, MD, PhD, FAES highlighted the importance of this milestone for the field of epilepsy, “Representation in the AMA House of Delegates allows AES to amplify the voices of physicians in our field and of people impacted by epilepsy. It ensures that our community has a role in shaping policies that affect access to care, research funding, and the practice environment for epileptologists, neurologists, and other physicians nationwide.”
AES CEO Wendy-Jo Toyama, MBA, FASAE, CAE expressed her gratitude to the Society’s members, stating, “This achievement underscores the power of community. By uniting as a community, our members have secured AES a seat at the table where important decisions about healthcare policy are made. This will strengthen our ability to advocate for patients, advance epilepsy research, and support the clinicians who provide care.”
The Society’s current representative to the AMA Specialty and Service Society, David Labiner, MD, FAES, who has worked closely with the AMA and with AES leadership during this process, added, “Securing this seat is just the beginning. Our presence in the House of Delegates will allow us to collaborate with colleagues across medicine, build strategic alliances, and bring forward the unique priorities of the epilepsy community. I am excited to see AES’s impact grow through this opportunity.”
AES thanks its physician members who joined the AMA and supported this application. Their commitment has made it possible for AES to have a stronger presence in national healthcare decision-making.
Although this initiative is tied to physician representation within the AMA, AES remains committed to supporting and advocating for the entire epilepsy care team. Every interprofessional role plays a vital part in advancing patient care, and AES will continue to foster an environment where all members can learn, grow, and make an impact.
Together, we will ensure that epilepsy is not just represented—but
heard.