AAPM April 2026 President’s Message
Dear AAPM Members and Colleagues,
I am honored and humbled to serve as President of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, and to share this April President’s Message with our members. I extend my sincere gratitude to the Board of Directors and our past presidents for their steadfast leadership and guidance as we advance the mission of our Academy. Together, we remain committed to offering exceptional educational programs, strengthening our advocacy efforts, and fostering a vibrant, engaged community of pain medicine professionals.
As we look ahead, our priorities remain clear: advancing evidence-based practice, championing policies that protect patient access to comprehensive pain care, and cultivating the next generation of leaders in our field. We will continue to elevate our voice in national conversations, expand interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensure that our patients receive the dignity, relief, and hope they deserve. Pain medicine is more than a specialty; it is a calling to restore quality of life, to listen deeply, and to stand with patients during some of their most vulnerable moments.
Please feel free to reach out to me or any member of the leadership team with your thoughts, concerns, or ideas to enhance the Academy’s value. Your insight is essential to strengthening our Society and ensuring that we provide the most meaningful experience for our members. I look forward to working alongside you over the next few years.
With gratitude,
Marie Hanna, MD, MEHP
President, American Academy of Pain Medicine
Reflection on the Past
Our past presidents have built a remarkable legacy within the Academy. Special thanks to Dr. Barreveld, Dr. Argoff, Dr. Ahadian, Dr. Williams, Dr. Hooten, Dr. Wasan, and Dr. Mackey. Your leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment have shaped the Academy into what it is today.
We extend our deep appreciation to our CEO and Executive Director, Sharon Kneebone, for her tireless dedication and steadfast service. Her hard work continues to elevate the Academy’s mission and impact.
To all current and former Board members, thank you for your vision, perseverance, and countless hours of effort. Your contributions have propelled the Academy to new heights.
Our Pain Connect 2026 meeting in Salt Lake City was an extraordinary success. Gratitude to the planning committee, led by Dr. Copenhaver, Dr. Speed, and Dr. Furnish, for their exceptional leadership and thoughtful execution.
A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Antje Barreveld for her outstanding leadership, and to Drs. Salman Hirani, Beth Hogans, and Charles Argoff for their invaluable contributions. Your dedication continues to inspire our entire community.
Zooming into the Future
As we welcome spring, I’m energized by the momentum our Academy is building, both here at home and across the globe.
This month, we are proud to highlight our partnership with the Canadian Pain Society and our participation in the Global Summit of Pain Society Leaders in Menorca, Spain. These collaborations strengthen our shared mission to advance pain care worldwide, fostering innovation and unity across borders.
I’m also delighted to congratulate our newly elected Board members, who officially began their terms this March. Dr. Mackenzie and Dr. Toye, your leadership, expertise, and dedication will help guide AAPM into an exciting new chapter.
Looking Ahead
We have several important initiatives on the horizon:
- Behavioral Medicine Course Coming Soon: A new educational opportunity designed to deepen our understanding of the mind–body connection in pain care.
- Membership Model & Board Term Updates: We are actively refining our membership structure and Board terms to better support our community and strengthen the Academy’s long-term governance.
Zooming In on the President of AAPM: Marie Hanna, MD, MEHP
Marie Hanna, MD, MEHP, is a full-time Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. She is a nationally recognized leader in perioperative pain management. Throughout her career, Dr. Hanna has been deeply committed to improving the quality and safety of pain care for surgical patients, with a particular focus on individuals with complex chronic opioid dependence.
A Leader in Innovation and Patient-Centered Pain Care
Dr. Hanna has introduced groundbreaking strategies to minimize perioperative opioid use and has developed postoperative care models that significantly enhance recovery for adult surgical patients. Her multimodal and multidisciplinary approaches at Johns Hopkins have become widely recognized across national and international pain management communities.
Her reputation as a clinician, educator, and program builder is well established. She is known for her expertise in opioid dependence, perioperative pain, and for her ability to translate evidence-based practices into real-world clinical improvement.
A Decade of Service and Leadership within AAPM
A dedicated AAPM member for more than 10 years, Dr. Hanna quickly became an active contributor to the Academy. She has served in multiple leadership roles, including:
- Co-Chair of the Acute Pain Special Interest Group
- Co-Chair of the Abstract Selection Committee
- Co-Chair of the AAPM Annual Meeting in 2022 and 2023
- Director-at-Large on the Board of Directors
- Treasurer of the Academy
Dr. Hanna credits AAPM with helping her grow professionally through mentorship, sponsorship, and education. Surrounded by experts in the field, she found the support and community that enabled her to bring cutting-edge practices back to her patients and trainees.
As President, her vision is to continue strengthening the Academy, expanding access to innovative research, and supporting the next generation of clinicians in delivering high-quality, evidence-based pain care.
Personal Background and Values
Dr. Hanna grew up in Egypt and attended a Catholic French school and medical school before immigrating to the United States with her husband, now a successful leader in surgical oncology. Together, they raised three accomplished children: two surgical oncologists and one dentist.
Throughout her career, she has worked to maintain a well-balanced life as a clinician, leader, and mother. She has advanced through multiple leadership roles while staying deeply connected to her Egyptian heritage and her roots in the Coptic Orthodox Church. Her faith and family remain central to her life, guiding her passion for patient care and her dedication to mentoring the next generation.
That impressive group photo? Not a medical grand round, just a Hanna family reunion. And believe it or not, a few siblings were missing. The Hanna family is full of hardworking clinicians who also know how to travel, celebrate, and enjoy life to the fullest.