Council Hypertension Trainee Advocacy Resources


The Council on Hypertension Trainee Advocacy Committee (HTN TAC) aims to foster the development of trainees and early career professionals in the field of hypertension and related fields, including research scientists and clinicians. Our goal is to promote and encourage trainees and early career individuals to participate in council activities and to provide information to those members of our council. Members of the Council on Hypertension Trainee Advocacy Committee (HTN TAC) play an integral role in furthering the mission of the Hypertension Council by planning early career sessions, developing a mentoring program and fostering collaboration.

Chair

Chair Elect

Immediate Past Chair

Cam McCarthy, PhD

Cam Mccarthy, PhD

Chair, Term 1, Ends 6/30/2025
Monica Santisteban

Monica Santisteban, PhD

Chair Elect, Term 1, Ends 6/30/2025
Brandi Wynne, PhD, MS

Brandi Wynne, PhD MS

Immediate Past Chair, Term 1, Ends 6/30/2025

Member

Sachin Aryal

Sachin Aryal BS MS

Term 1, Ends 6/30/2026
Candee Barris Headshot

Candee Barris BS

Term 1, Ends 6/30/2026
Mona Elgazzaz

Mona Elgazzaz MD MSc PhD

Term 1, Ends 6/30/2026
Jessica Faulkner, BS, PhD

Jessica Faulkner BS PhD

Term 2, Ends 6/30/2025
Daria Golosova

Daria Golosova MD PhD

Term 2, Ends 6/30/2025
Jeanne Ishimwe, PhD

Jeanne Ishimwe PhD

Term 2, Ends 6/30/2025
Natalia Mathieu Headshot

Natalia Mathieu BS PhD

Term 1, Ends 6/30/2025
Benard Ogola, BS, PhD

Benard Ogola BS PhD

Term 2, Ends 6/30/2025
Javier Rendon

Javier Rendon DVM

Term 2, Ends 6/30/2025
Dallin Tavoian

Dallin Tavoian PhD

Term 1, Ends 6/30/2025
Emma Wabel

Emma Wabel BA BS

Term 1, Ends 6/30/2025

Staff

Angela Bynum

Angela Bynum

Term 1, Ends 6/30/2026
Denise Levy

Denis Levy

Term 1, Ends 6/30/2026

Trainee Advocacy Committee Commission

Purpose

To involve trainees / postdoctoral students / recently trained individuals in Council on Hypertension activities. To expand the diversity of the council. To identify early career council members from diverse backgrounds to participate in other Council committees.

Number of Members

The Committee shall be comprised of one or more advisors, including the Immediate Past Chair of the Council, and up to 9 members, one of whom will be Chair. The other advisor will be an active senior participant in the Council on Hypertension. The Chair will be selected by Council leadership.

Reports to

Council Chair and Leadership Committee

Method of Appointment

Members shall be chosen using an application process, facilitated by a small task force from the Leadership committee. The finalists of the previous year’s Young Investigator Award competition will be considered.

Term of Office

Members shall serve two-year terms beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Terms shall be staggered for continuity.

Frequency of Meetings

The Committee shall meet via teleconference 1-2 times per year. The time commitment will vary, but should not exceed an average of 1-3 hours per month. Special projects may require additional time.

Benefits of Participation

Become familiar with AHA Leadership structure and activities of the Council at an early career stage Develop a credential for career advancement Network with peers.

Staffed by

AHA Science & Medicine Advisor and AHA Council Manager

Chairperson's Responsibilities

  • Attend Leadership Committee meetings and present Committee report at Spring and Fall Conference meetings
  • Oversee committee
  • Work with AHA staff to set meeting dates and times
  • Lead discussions at meetings and monitor activities
  • Review minutes of Committee meetings
  • Work with Committee and AHA staff to develop an annual plan and budget and to oversee projects
  • Assign responsibilities as needed
  • Assist in selection of committee members

Committee Responsibilities

  • Serve on other AHA Council on Hypertension Committees
  • Liaison as needed to other AHA Councils' committees
  • Pursue activities that benefit early career persons at various levels. Examples:
    • Develop a website within the main council page devoted to trainee issues
    • Mentoring trainees
    • Create a reading list of seminal papers of interest to trainees
    • Early career development support

Council on Hypertension Awards

The Council on Hypertension makes a number of awards available to early career researchers, including the Young Investigator Award, presented annually at AHA scientific session, as well as a number of travel awards to attend scientific sessions.

Council on Hypertension Awards, Lectures and Scholarships

AHA Early Career Development

We know you want the best career resources. Our Early Career Professional Membership and mentoring programs give you top-notch tools to maximize your growth as a young professional. Our goal is for all Early Career Members to play a crucial role in our prestigious organization. We give you opportunities to meet and dialogue about specialty and career issues with other Early Career Members and more senior professionals across the globe.

Useful Reading

Mark Your Calendars for Hypertension 2025

September 4–7, 2025
Marriott Baltimore Waterfront | Baltimore, Maryland

Scientific Sessions 2024

Scientific Sessions: November 16–18, 2024
McCormick Place Convention Center | Chicago, Illinois