AAPM announces 2015 Presidential Commendations for exceptional service in Pain Medicine

The American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) is pleased to announce its 2015 Presidential Commendations for exceptional service to the Academy and/or the field of Pain Medicine. Recipients will be honored on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at AAPM's Annual Meeting in National Harbor, MD, where more than 1,000 scientists, physicians and key nonphysician providers convene to discuss and learn the latest in Pain Medicine.

The following outstanding individuals, who have given so much for the Academy, the specialty of pain medicine and patients suffering with pain, have been selected by AAPM President Sean Mackey, MD PhD.
Gary Jay Brenner, MD, PhD
Bryan C. Hoelzer, MD
David Walega, MD.
Commended for leadership in building an alliance between AAPM and the Association of Pain Program Directors.

Chester "Trip" Buckenmaier, MD
Patrick Tighe, MD
Commended for leading the Academy's work in Acute Pain Medicine through the establishment of the Acute Pain Medicine Shared Interest Group and the State of Acute Pain Initiative which is looking at ways to advance research and education in Acute Pain.

Beth Darnall, PhD
Perry G. Fine, MD
Commended for their work co-chairing the Non-Physician Membership Task Force, which recommended changes to AAPM's Bylaws to welcome more non-physician members, redefining the Clinical Practice Affiliate and Student Membership categories.

Yu "Woody" Lin, MD, PhD
Commended for bringing together the National Institutes of Health and the AAPM membership through a better understanding of the NIH grant programs.

Bill McCarberg, MD
Commended for work leading AAPM in Primary Care, particularly with the Primary Care Shared Interest Group and the Primary Care Summit which has brought together eight national healthcare associations to work collaboratively address the need for pain management care and the primary care level.

Christina Spellman
Commended for leading the Mayday Fund in its ongoing commitment to improving pain care.

Linda Porter, PhD
Commended for leadership of National Pain Strategy efforts.