March 2021 Society Spotlight

Meet Rebecca Erwin Wells, MD, MPH, FAHS, AHS Board Member-at-Large

I am so honored to be serving you as a Board Member at Large of the American Headache Society.  When I attended my first AHS meeting, I remember feeling so connected to everyone dedicated to Headache Medicine. We are a unique group of compassionate people, and I felt the collegiality and community immediately. I have been inspired by AHS leaders in my work to found and direct the Wake Forest Baptist Health Comprehensive Headache Program, along with the concrete help from the AHS business plan. Over the years, I have also recognized that we still have work to do, as a field and as an organization, to ensure everyone feels included.

I am honored to be serving as Co-Chair of the AHS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce with Dr. Cynthia Armand. We are excited to be leading this Taskforce that the AHS Board unanimously approved. Be on the lookout in the coming weeks and months for details and ways you can help us authentically improve the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of AHS and Headache Medicine. The last year has brought so many challenges.  It has also given us opportunities for change and growth. I am hopeful about the opportunities we have in front of us to bring about measurable positive changes to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for our organization and field.

In addition, I really enjoy conducting clinical research, caring for patients, and educating others about Headache Medicine. I enjoy learning how we can improve overall wellness, for our patients and ourselves, and I have conducted NIH-funded research to investigate the mechanisms and efficacy of mindfulness for migraine. This is an exciting time to be in Headache Medicine, and there is so much hope and optimism in the field. I will miss seeing you all in person at the AHS Scientific meeting in June, and I look forward to connecting with you virtually. We learn so much from our patients and from each other, and I am excited to continue together on this journey as we all learn and grow together.

Rebecca Erwin Wells, MD, MPH, FAHS