APF Announces Changes to Board of Directors

The American Pain Foundation (APF) Board of Directors elected Mary Vargas, Esq., its new Board president and chair in November 2011, effective January 1, 2012. As a partner with Stein & Vargas, LLP, Vargas specializes in the nationwide representation of individuals with disabilities in civil rights litigation. She began advocating for people with pain as the result of her own experiences living with pain after a serious car accident in 1996. She previously served as vice chair and is a founding member of the organization’s Pain Community Advisory Council.

In addition to Vargas’ election, Larry C. Driver, MD, professor and deputy department chair, Department of Pain Medicine, at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, was elected vice chair. Dr. Driver previously served as a Board member.

Both Malene Smith Davis, RN, MSN, MBA, Board treasurer, and Aaron Gilson, MSSW, PhD, Board secretary, have been elected to second terms. Davis is president and CEO of Capital Hospice and Gilson is director of the U.S. program at the Pain & Policy Studies Group/WHO Collaborating Center for Policy and Communications in Cancer Care, a division of the Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Officer terms are for one year.

Scott Fishman, MD, retired from the APF Board of Directors at the completion of his term as Board president and chair. Dr. Fishman has served on the APF Board since February 2008 and the organization is grateful for his leadership and direction during his service on the Board.