Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates on June 9, 2026.
Officers and five councils are elected by the American Medical Association House of Delegates (HOD) at the Annual Meeting. Elections for contested contests are held during a special election session under the supervision of the Committee on Rules and Credentials and the chief teller, who are appointed by the speakers. Voting is conducted by secret ballot.
Laura Halpin, MD, PhD
Candidate for Council on Science & Public Health
Term: 2026-2030
Health policy as the final frontier of translational research
Nearly two decades ago, I began training as an MD PhD student with the goal to engage in translational research in a way that truly impacts clinical care and people’s lives. That work has been grounded in a curiosity to understand the unknown and a commitment to ensuring that research connects to and serves those who need it most. Like so many delegates, an early interest in advocacy led to joining the AMA at the very start of medical school. The AMA’s mission to protect the uninsured resonated deeply, especially in recognizing that even for conditions we understand well and know how to treat, profound gaps in care persist. Soon these early influences combined, and I came to understand that health policy is truly the final frontier for translational research. It is where our clinical work, data and research can change lives and at scale.
As a PhD researcher, I advanced our understanding of how substances with high misuse potential, like methamphetamine and MDMA, and chronic unpredictable stress, damage the brain. That work quickly translated into my contributions to the development of AMA policy on substances like cannabis, which was authored by the Council on Science and Public Health when I was a medical student and resident member of the Council. My work to understand the neurotoxic impact of chronic unpredictable stress has had immediate applicability in my understanding of why and how burnout has such an impact on our profession and that finding a solution is essential. Since those early days, the focus of my research continues to be substances with high potential for misuse, as well as more recently, social drivers of health and quality. I have authored and advocated for policies related to substance use, physician health and wellness, telehealth and drug shortages.
Credentials
Meeting the moment with leadership and advocacy
Safeguarding medical expertise and public trust is essential for both physicians and patients as our institutions face growing challenges. In this moment, our AMA needs strong advocacy grounded in rigorous data and informed by real-world clinical experience. Together, we must be unwavering in defending scientific evidence, advancing principled policy, and safeguarding our profession. With a background in research, leadership experience, and a proven ability to communicate effectively, I am prepared to partner with you to lead this work.
Currently serving as president of the Southern California Psychiatric Society, a district branch of the American Psychiatric Association, and chair-elect of the California Medical Association Early Career Physician Section, I bring leadership experience across organized medicine. For 10 years, I have served as a delegate in the American Medical Association House of Delegates. Four years of prior service on the AMA Council on Science and Public Health, as both the MSS and RFS representative, provide a strong foundation for me to contribute immediately to the work of the council if I am elected.
Beyond organized medicine, my work extends to public education and policy. As a subject matter expert on mental health, I regularly engage with local news media to provide clear, evidence-based perspectives for the public. As the Regional Behavioral Health Government Relations physician lead for my medical group, I review legislation and serve on regulatory committees on behalf of physician colleagues, advancing thoughtful, data-driven policy solutions.
Advocacy in action
We’re in this together
To meet the greatest challenges facing health care and our profession, we need research and data to better understand what remains unknown, bold policy to address the problems we clearly see, and the persistence to work through inevitable resistance. This work ahead cannot be done alone. It requires that we work together, which is why engagement in the AMA matters so deeply to me and why I am eager to stand alongside colleagues in this effort.
Strong policy begins with thoughtful debate. Disagreement is not a weakness but an essential part of addressing the issues that matter most. As a psychiatrist, I am trained to listen carefully, weigh differing perspectives, and build consensus. Valuing constructive dialogue leads to stronger, more durable solutions. If given the opportunity to continue this work on your Council on Science and Public Health, I will do so grounded in the shared values that unite our house of medicine. If elected, I would make it my priority to be accessible to all delegates because diversity of opinion creates great policy. I will continue follow all relevant policy debates closely, and be sure to reach out to make sure your perspectives are understood and considered when developing reports.
The mentorship I have received in the AMA has been invaluable to me, which I honor by paying it forward through supporting students and physicians-in-training. Mentorship and supporting the next generation of physicians is essential to the future of our profession. The enduring professional relationships built through organized medicine, along with the support of my family at home, provide the resilience this work requires. My husband, Brian, a community pediatrician, and our two young children inspire me, sustain me, and keep me energized.
I am honored to be endorsed by the following groups for election to the AMA Council on Science and Public Health:
- PacWest Conference
- California Medical Association
- Specialty and Service Society
- Section Council on Psychiatry
- American Psychiatric Association
- Academic Physicians Section
- Young Physicians Section
- Medical Student Section
Leadership rooted in community
Additional resources
- Visit the AMA elections page for information on other candidates running for office.
- Find up to date information for the June Annual Meeting of the HOD.
