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Fall 2002

Association News
Activities and opportunities from The CFIDS Association of America

CDC awards contract for provider education
In 1997 the Association received its first federal grant to explore ways to educate medical providers about CFIDS. This $18,000 enabled the development of a strategic plan and the recruitment of partners through the nation’s Area Health Education Centers. Work continued over the next five years to create curriculum materials and train primary care providers to educate their peers about CFIDS.

On September 26, the Association was awarded a sizable contract by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to continue and significantly expand provider education activities. Work will begin immediately to recruit additional trainers, promote print, video and on-line versions of a training course on CFIDS and exhibit and sponsor events at national provider conferences.

The goal of this targeted effort will be to improve providers’ abilities to detect, diagnose and manage CFIDS. Physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners, form the target audience for the first year. In future years, activities will be extended to medical specialists and mental health professionals.

Watch coming issues of the Chronicle for program highlights and updates.

Association notes staffing changes
The Association wishes to recognize the contributions of four staff members who left the Association this summer. For four years, Steve Argo has served as controller, ensuring accurate and timely reports on the Association’s financial status, and managing the annual audit of records and internal controls. During her three years on staff, Renée M. Brehio, director of communications, launched two new publications, The CFS Research Review and Snapshots of CFIDS, and updated the look and composition of The CFIDS Chronicle. She also attracted considerable media attention to CFIDS, including a prominent full-page article in USA Today and stories by CNN, Good Morning America, American Medical News and dozens of other print and broadcast outlets. Resource Line Consultant Melissa Boling helped thousands of callers, answering questions about diagnosis, treatment, CFIDS community events and membership. She and Joan Ledford provided valuable administrative help as well, keeping pace with the high volume of mail and requests that flood the Association each week. Melissa and Joan served on the Association’s staff for two years. All will be missed.

Congratulations to two staff members whose performance has merited promotion into new positions. Kristina P. Hopkins, the most senior Association staffer with 12 years service, is now controller. Her unique insight into programs and operations is an invaluable asset as we continuously strive to be conscientious stewards of funds entrusted to us by donors, members and granting institutions. Leah Moseley, who has worked closely with Renee Brehio for the last year, has been promoted to public relations coordinator. She continues working with media professionals and staff to raise awareness and generate responsible coverage of CFIDS. Leah also assists with Association publications and the Web site.

CAA joins pain alliance
The CFIDS Association of America has united with 44 other national groups in a new consortium that will address the problems caused by chronic pain. The Partnership for Understanding Pain will work with health care professionals, the business community, legislator, people with pain and the general public to raise awareness about pain-related issues.

Other participating groups include the American Cancer Society, the National Fibromyalgia Partnership, the Arthritis Foundation and the American Chronic Pain Association.