Progress and Promise

Abstract

The recent completion of the 22nd annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) marked another successful landmark in the evolution of the Academy. Special thanks are owed to our conference chair, Todd Sitzman, and to his cochairs, Gagan Mahajan, Bill McCarberg, Jerome Schofferman, Donna Bloodworth, and all of the program committee members responsible for organizing this year's outstanding conference. I would also like to congratulate our outgoing president, Scott Fishman, for his efforts over the past year. Scott was directly responsible for influencing media attention to the plight of patients afflicted with painful conditions, and to engender greater public awareness of the role pain medicine specialists play in the diagnosis and treatment of pain. His efforts have highlighted the role of the AAPM in promoting pain education for physicians and in creating a greater social awareness of pain and the need for proper treatment. It was a banner year for the Academy. I would also like to acknowledge the accomplishments of several outgoing members of the Board of Directors. Dan Carr has served in many capacities within the …