Martin Garbois, MD

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of former AAPM President Martin Garbois, MD.

A friend to AAPM for many years he was a leader in his field of PM&R and an internationally renowned lecturer, researcher, educator, and mentor to many in the field of PM&R & Pain.  

Dr. Garbois passed away on June 18, 2022, and to all that knew him, his memory will be a blessing. His family, particularly his wife Mary are in our thoughts and prayers.

AAPM Past Presidents remember one of their colleagues and former AAPM past president Martin Grabois, MD. 

Marty was such a wonderful person and leader. We went on an international conference trip 10 years ago and spent a fantastic time with our families and friends. He will be dearly missed.

Jianguo Cheng, MD (2018)

He was a tireless clinician, researcher, administrator, and colleague in professional organizations for over four decades. In his foundational role for AAPM, he served loyally and exemplified the highest levels of integrity and clear thinking. He calmly solved an unending series of problems and existential challenges to AAPM and pain medicine at large.  Highly respected by his colleagues, he was a giant in pain medicine as well as PM&R, the likes of whom will be a long time to witness again. I am personally grateful to him for his unflappable approach to many complex challenges faced by AAPM over the years, and his willingness to provide wise counsel in navigating through them.

Dan Carr, MD (2016)

A leader in his field of PM&R and an internationally renowned lecturer, researcher, educator, and mentor to many in the field of PM&R & Pain.  But he was more than that. The best word that comes to my mind to describe him is a “mensch”. A real “Human Being” a person of integrity and honor.

Eduardo (Eddy) Fraifeld, MD (2010)

A colleague, leader, and mentor to so many of us, Marty was a champion for our patients and for excellence in the education and training of physicians and other disciplines in pain management. His leadership of a department for decades is almost unparalleled in academic medicine.

Rollin Mac Gallagher, MD (2009)

Martin was a stalwart leader and a remarkably accomplished professional. I will always remember Marty as intensely curious and always kind and generous with his time. He was one of a kind and will be missed! 

Scott M. Fishman, MD (2005)

I was saddened to hear of the loss of another pioneer of our profession. I am grateful to have known him, as I am to have known each of you!

Marc B. Hahn, DO (2002)

Marty was a foundational force when AAPM got off the ground and he, like others before him, worked tirelessly through the years to help grow, shape, and nourish AAPM. Marty was always a “voice of reason”, and we will miss that voice.

Bert Ray, MD (2001)

He was very kind and supportive when I had just entered the field of Pain Medicine. We remained friends for decades.

J. David Haddox, DDS, MD (1998)

I met Martin when I was a medical student at UC Irvine approximately 51 or 52 years ago. I was an extern in the PM&R department and the head of that department, Dr. Jerome Tobis (who was both my mentor and friend), was recruiting Marty as a faculty member. We had dinner at the home of Dr. Tobis with our wives. Marty did not take that job, but we kept in contact and remained friends over the years. He was a great human being, and I will personally miss him.

Steven D. Feinberg, M.D. (1996)

Marty was a true “gentleman and leader”. I met him in 1976 in my last year of Residency and took a board review course at Baylor. We have been friends since and he loved the rehabilitation of patients, especially chronic pain. Lovely family too.

Sridhar V. Vasudevan, MD (1991)