March 2025 President’s Message

Dear AAPM Member,

The AAPM Board of Directors met last week, and we recognize that many changes are happening that may or may not impact your pain medicine practice. We are closely monitoring recent legal developments and ongoing litigation, understanding that these issues are viewed differently across our diverse membership. Our focus remains on assessing any potential implications for pain medicine professionals and the patients we serve. As always, AAPM is committed to advancing pain care, education, advocacy, and research, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

$750 Fellow & Non-Physician Travel Grants

The AAPM Foundation’s mission is to eliminate pain as a significant public health issue by advancing provider education, supporting groundbreaking research, and ensuring patient access to individualized, comprehensive, and evidence-based pain care.

As a result of our 2024 Giving Tuesday campaign, we are pleased to offer four $750 travel grants for PainConnect 2025, the AAPM annual meeting. We will award two travel grants for fellows and two for non-physicians. The deadline is March 19, 2025, at 11:59 pm EDT. Click HERE to learn more and to apply.

Celebrating the 2025 AAPM Award Recipients

I am honored to announce our 2025 Award recipients, who will be recognized during the awards presentation and Saturday evening gala at PainConnect 2025 on April 5th. Please join me in congratulating these outstanding leaders in pain medicine:

• Founders Award: Zachary McCormick, MD – For clinical excellence and innovation in pain medicine.
• Distinguished Service Award: Trent Emerick, MD, MBA – For his extraordinary contributions to AAPM.
• Patient Advocacy Award: Amy Goldstein, LMSW – For her advocacy for patients suffering from pain.
• Rolling “Mac” Gallagher Pain Medicine Journal Award: Nathaniel Schuster, MD – For his dedication to the journal and contributions to pain and spine medicine.
• Presidential Excellence Award for Education: Bhavana Yalamuru, MBBS – For advancing pain medicine education.
• Robert G. Addison, MD Award: Hance Clark, MD – For fostering international collaboration in pain medicine.
• Philip M. Lippe, MD Award: The Washington State Physician Spinal Cord Stimulator Work Group – For outstanding contributions to the social and political aspects of pain medicine.

Innovation Challenge Finalists Announced

The future of pain management is unfolding at PainConnect 2025 in Austin, TX! The AAPM + MIT Hacking Medicine Innovation Challenge has selected six groundbreaking startups pioneering new approaches in pain treatment. These visionary teams will compete in a Shark Tank-style pitch competition live at PainConnect 2025. For the first time, our finalists include AAPM leadership, making this an event you won’t want to miss. Click here to learn more about the finalists.

Join the Pain Matters Podcast as a Co-Host

Are you passionate about pain medicine and eager to shape the conversation around research, treatment strategies, and innovation? AAPM is looking for 1-2 new co-hosts to join Dr. Mustafa Broachwala on the Pain Matters Podcast, currently hosted by Dr. Shravani Durbhakula and Dr. Broachwala.

What We’re Looking For:

• AAPM members with at least two years of post-fellowship or post-graduate experience in pain medicine.
• Media or public-speaking experience (encouraged but not required).
• Attendance at PainConnect 2025 (April 3-6, Austin, TX) is encouraged for hosting opportunities.

What’s Involved:

• A 5-6 hour time commitment per episode (scripting, recording, and editing).
• Podcast recordings will take place at the AAPM annual meeting.
• New co-hosts will work closely with Dr. Broachwala, who will continue as a host.

If you’re interested, submit your application here by March 5, 2025.

As I have noted in previous messages, PainConnect 2025 is shaping up to be an incredible event filled with innovation, collaboration, and meaningful discussions on the future of pain medicine. I look forward to seeing you there.