June 2, 2025, was World Eating Disorders Action Day. (“WEDAD”) According to the organizers, “… over 300 organizations … stepped up—hosting events, launching social media campaigns and podcasts, conducting interviews, and working across borders and disciplines to make an impact on this one crucial day.”

Dra. Eva Trujillo, (whom I like and respect) was one of the drivers of WEDAD. Her quotes included:

“When we act together, our impact is stronger.   We are looking for new voices, perspectives, and passionate professionals ready to serve.”  

“Are we, as a field, ready to begin healing the divides within our own community? Or are we too overwhelmed trying to survive?” 

“It’s a question that haunts many of us, and it’s time we face it with courage and honesty. We can’t build meaningful change externally if we remain fragmented internally. This is a moment for us—clinicians, educators, researchers, advocates, sufferers, and caregivers—to come together—not in perfect agreement but in shared purpose.” 

“We must start connecting. Not by taking sides, but by building bridges, amplifying what unites us, listening more than speaking, and doing the hard work of healing, both within and beyond our professional circles.” 

An officer from another organization stated:

“So, how do we begin to heal our community?” 

“As organizations, we begin by reaching out to one another, recognizing each other’s strengths, sharing our own, and uniting our efforts to broaden services and support.” 

“Together, we are stronger.” 

Fine words. Grand words. But … just words. So, how do we put into action the concept behind those words and turn them into reality?

A few weeks ago, I attended ICED 2025 in San Antonio. [As an aside, ICED 2026 is scheduled for June 3 – 5 at … The Hague. And by wonderful coincidence, the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco is scheduled for June 5 – 7! Can you say Bucket List? Super yachts in Monaco Bay. Black tie casino gambling. Incredible parties. But … I digress.]

Most of my time at ICED 2025 was spent darkening the Exhibit Booths, listening to a few presentations, swilling whiskey and having my tail handed to me playing chess in the hotel lobby.  But, in my wanderings, I noticed the following organizations did not have a booth, or for that matter, any presence: NEDA, iaedp.

They were not listed as sponsors. They were not listed as exhibitors. Their CEOs were not there. (or if they were, they kept out of sight).

Perhaps that is where we must start. Or does it go deeper than that?

Let us pose some questions which surely must be asked:

1. Does the eating disorder community really need three (3) independent organizations, AED, iaedp and NEDA?
2. If so, why? Especially since all three appear to be flailing if not failing.
3. Isn’t it in the best interest of the families suffering from this illness that one unified, strong entity comprised of the best of those organizations be formed?

The problems and issues at each of the organizations are alarming.

iaedp is engulfed in a lawsuit which, if successful, will result in its demise and possibly the end of board certification. Iaedp also has a very large financial burden for past due taxes, penalties and interest. On its last F0rm 990, it showed a loss of $284,806.00. Since membership is no longer required to maintain board certification, its membership is dwindling. A number of iaedp individual chapters have dissolved. Its next symposium is being held in Baltimore … in the middle of winter. Iaedp’s “Members at Large” a/k/a Board of Directors is comprised of persons with no outside corporate or legal experience.

The issues at AED are also troubling.  From 2020 through 2023, AED reported a total combined loss of -$658,156.00. The cancellation of billions of dollars in NIH grant funding resulted in many university professionals unwilling and unable to attend AED’s ICED and not renewing their membership. A contentious relationship with international chapters plagues AED.

NEDA, unlike AED and iaedp, showed a profit on its last Form 990. On its 2023 Form 990, it showed net revenue of $1,836,601. However, in the three prior years, it showed three consecutive losses in a combined amount of $1,913,492.00. NEDA sold its telephone helpline to the National Alliance. But, besides conducting its fun walks and awarding some grants, (for which it should be commended), has time eroded NEDA’s impact in the community?

Therapists are intimidated by research professionals. Research professionals do not have the wisdom gained from being on the front lines, that is, in the actual therapy rooms. Medical clinicians are frustrated waiting for research findings to be released. Uninformed and misguided fat activists are just causing chaos. And the wheel turns round and round with little, if any progress being made.

Dra. Trujillo acknowledged the divides which exist in the community. So, where does progress start?

Perhaps we begin with transparency. An element so missing in the eating disorder community. No organization or person in the community is inventing a cure for cancer or devising the next generation of Ai/Robotics technology. Certainly, private organizations and companies generally do not disclose financial information or voluntarily broadcast future expansion or retraction plans. But we are dealing with a mental health illness with a high mortality rate. Families are severely impacted every day. It seems as if eating disorder organizations and entities have lost sight of that reality.  

And so, transparency and collaboration must start at the organizational leadership level. To start to accomplish this, accommodation and grace must be given.

Starting with iaedp’s next Symposium to be held in Baltimore in February 2026, iaedp must allow NEDA, AED, FEAST to have exhibit booths and have at least their three highest ranking officers to attend … at no cost. During the Symposium, the leaders from all organizations must meet to discuss all issues they have in common. Issues unique to each organization. The future is discussed. Planning is shared. Finally, at the end of the meeting, an open forum is convened both in person and via zoom. A forum that any concerned person can attend and ask questions, live or via the internet. The leaders share with everyone the topics of discussion and the plan of moving forward.

In 2027, at AED’s ICED to be held in Phoenix, Arizona, it is AED’s turn to host the other organizations utilizing the same format.

In 2028, these collaborative meetings may not be necessary. That is because by 2028, hopefully all major organizations will have realized that the tribal way they have done business in the past is not effective and does not work. In fact, the piecemeal, isolationist way each organization currently attempts to operate has failed. The six figure financial losses every year. Membership dwindling. As has been noted, people leading organizations have admitted that division exists in the community and needs to be healed. But these divisions cannot be healed singularly.

The old way of doing business has failed. The mortality rate worsens. The number of loved ones and families suffering continually increases. Each organization in their own way has failed and contributed to worsening the situation. So, how can we possibly proceed in the future?

The best way, the path which provides the greatest likelihood of success is to have these organizations merge into one entity. One large, collaborative organization. Therapists, medical doctors, research professionals, advocates all under one tent. Talking together in the spirit of professionalism and respect. Combining the greatest minds of different tracts to share knowledge, wisdom and ideas. Casting individual egos aside for the greater good. Bringing in corporate and legal experts to assist in reorganizing and providing many additional outlets for fundraising.

One large, all-encompassing yet diverse organization. An organization which would be able to lobby more effectively to address the true needs of the community. An organization which would be able to approach large corporations and foundations to engage their substantial resources for the purpose of working toward true breakthroughs in our understanding and treatment of eating disorders.

Now make no mistake. The obstacles are many and the challenges are great. There are those who will oppose this collaborative entity merely because it threatens their self-importance. There is a faction in the eating disorder community which actively fights against progress unless that progress exclusively involves their own pedantic points of view.

Nonetheless, the handwriting is on the wall. The commendable accomplishments of individual organizations in the past have been relegated to the past. The old way of doing business no longer works. It is not effective. That is shown by the deteriorating financial condition of these organizations, the deep divisions which exist in the community and most importantly, the number of our loved ones who continue to be taken.

Our loved ones who continue to die in ever increasing numbers.

That should be the first, middle, last and only concern of these organizations. The time is now. The future awaits. Collaboration beckons.