The APHON Board of Directors has staggered terms so that the board is never without individuals who possess institutional knowledge and board experience. This allows proper onboarding of new board members as they are mentored by experienced board members. In 2025, there is one Director-at-Large who is completing a 3-year term; therefore, one vacancy is available. 

The Leadership Development Committee, in collaboration with the Board of Directors, is authorized to run an open call for candidates, as well as to identify those who have the skills and credentials that are needed on the board. For the board of directors to reflect the membership, particular criteria, such as career stage or practice area, may guide the search for candidates. This year, the board of directors identified the need for a particular new Board member. They unanimously expressed the desire to have an early careerist who practices at the bedside, either in-patient or in an ambulatory setting, to fill the role of Director-at-Large. The criteria are expected to change each year based on the board’s needs. 

That will depend on the demographic of the sitting board. The goal when seeking candidates is to have a diverse and representative board of the APHON membership. If there is a lack of representation from a specific demographic, then it is highly likely that the sitting board will provide direction to the Leadership Development Committee when calling for candidates in future elections. 

APHON holds elections every year, so there will always be opportunities at the board level. Please reach out to APHON HQ at membership@aphon.org to be connected with the Leadership Development Committee and discuss future opportunities. There are many ways to serve in a leadership role within APHON. If you are interested in committee leadership, or leading a future task force or project, we would love to hear from you. Please submit a Willingness to Serve form through the APHON website.

All Active and Emeritus members whose dues are current as of the date the elections go live are eligible voters.

APHON members vote annually on the seats open for either an officer or director role on the APHON Board of Directors.

Each candidate is running unopposed, in accordance with the APHON Bylaws which were amended by the APHON voting members in 2023. It is intentional that there is only one candidate for each position. The Leadership Development Committee is authorized to run an open call for candidates as well as to identify candidates who have the skills and credentials that they deem would be the best individual to be added to the APHON Board at this point in time. This does not mean that other candidates are not properly suited; however, the Leadership Development Committee follows a matrix and has the ability to determine a preference for particular skills and background each year based on the composition of board members that will continue on. Due to the rigor of evaluation prior to getting on the ballot, each position runs unopposed.

This is in accordance with the APHON Bylaws that were amended in 2023. The election represents an opportunity to be informed regarding future leadership and still offer a choice to not vote for a candidate. When members go to the ballot, if they do not wish to vote for a candidate, they simply do not check the box for that candidate. A candidate must receive over 50% affirmation of all votes cast to be considered elected.

You can submit questions to membership@aphon.org; however, all discussions and deliberations of the Leadership Development Committee are considered privileged. If you would like to be considered as a candidate or nominate a candidate for a future open position on the APHON Board, please respond to the next open call for candidates that will take place in Q1 2026.