June 2026 President's Message

AAPM June 2026 President’s Message

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

As pain medicine continues to evolve, so too does our responsibility to advance the science, education, and multidisciplinary care that improve the lives of people living with pain. Our field sits at the intersection of neuroscience, behavioral health, rehabilitation, pharmacology, sleep medicine, and the social determinants of health, requiring us to continually expand our knowledge and collaborate across disciplines to meet the complex needs of our patients.

I am pleased to share several recent milestones that reflect the continued growth, influence, and collaborative spirit of the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

One exciting example is the recent launch of our Behavioral Medicine of Pain, self-paced online course, which was recently highlighted by Pain Medicine News.

This educational offering was developed to strengthen clinicians’ understanding of pain-related behavioral health care and help translate that knowledge into daily practice. By providing practical tools and evidence-based insights, the course supports clinicians in communicating behavioral medicine concepts more effectively, facilitating appropriate referrals, and integrating behavioral approaches into comprehensive pain care.

Our Academy’s impact also continues to extend well beyond national borders. I was honored to participate in the Sine Dolore World Park Forum and the XIX Sine Dolore Menorca Congress in Menorca, Spain. These remarkable gatherings brought together pain medicine leaders and experts from more than 17 countries, creating a truly global exchange of ideas, innovation, and shared purpose.

During the congress, AAPM was honored with the prestigious Sine Dolore World Park Excellence Award. This recognition reflects the dedication and contributions of our members, volunteers, faculty, and partners who work tirelessly to advance the science and practice of pain medicine. I extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Jordi Moya, the organizing committee, and our international colleagues whose leadership and hospitality made the event such an extraordinary success.

The Academy also remains committed to advancing evidence-based standards of care through research and consensus-building initiatives. Recently, an international Delphi consensus process involving experts from 14 countries successfully validated ten key recommendations for the management of acute low back pain. The strong agreement achieved across multiple rounds of expert review demonstrates the value of collaboration in developing practical, patient-centered guidance to improve outcomes in diverse healthcare settings worldwide.

Taken together, these accomplishments highlight the many ways our field continues to advance through education, research, international partnerships, and innovation. More importantly, they reinforce an enduring truth: meaningful progress in pain care is achieved when diverse disciplines, perspectives, and experiences come together in service of our patients.

As we look ahead, I remain inspired by the dedication of our Academy community and optimistic about the opportunities before us. Together, we will continue to advance multidisciplinary, evidence-based pain care, strengthen our profession, and improve the lives of those we serve.

Thank you for your commitment to the Academy and to the patients who depend on our expertise, compassion, and leadership.

Warm regards,

Marie Hanna, MD, MEHP

AAPM President