Your AAPM: 2009 Review

Abstract

We are pleased to report that many of the ambitious strategic planning goals that the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) set in 2008 have been accomplished. Before we put our collective efforts back to the grindstone and begin work on our 2009 goals, let us take a few minutes to celebrate our accomplishments from the past year … We are pleased to report that during the past 12 months, committee involvement among AAPM members increased significantly and greatly aided our overall efforts to advance Pain Medicine as a specialty. It is rewarding to see so many of our colleagues contributing their unique skills and experience to the cause of our specialty. Under the leadership of Tom Yearwood and the Membership Committee, our strategic goal of doubling AAPM membership and the decision to offer Associate Memberships to non-physician health care providers who qualify for the Associate Membership category of AAPM membership resulted in a membership count of over 2,000—AAPM's highest membership total ever. Moreover, membership retention is also at its highest—a clear sign that our organization is responding to members' needs. This growth is reflected in the larger number of members actively involved in the work of our committees, which are the lifeblood of this organization. Thanks to all who joined AAPM—your membership means a great deal to the organization. And a special thanks to those who are able to contribute a bit more, sometimes a lot more, of their time and expertise to AAPM efforts, given busy schedules and commitments. On the communications front, AAPM has made great strides to utilize technology in a manner that provides members with the tools needed to assist in the practice setting. For example, AAPM launched a new bi-weekly e-newsletter, guided by former president Fred Burgess, that provides members with timely pain news, …