Milestones for the NFMCPA

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The NFMCPA spent the summer building new relationships and resources ­­­­­­­in order to better serve the needs of our constituents with fibromyalgia and chronic pain conditions. Following is a quick review of some of the highlights of these amazing collaborations:

Laura Carabello, Principle, CPR Communications. CPR sent out a record-breaking press   release for the NFMCPA earlier this year that was picked up by more than 4,700 news sources, garnering much interest and interaction with new collaborators. Laura generously offered her company’s skills and expertise to help raise NFMCPA awareness to people with FM and chronic pain, the general public, healthcare professionals, government agencies and industry.  With her professional team’s strategic outreach and devotion to health related issues, more people seeking resources and knowledge about pain healthcare will know where to find it.

Barbara Kornblau, JD, OTR/L, FAOTA, DAAPM, ABDA, CCM, CDMS. Attorney Barbara Kornblau has graciously agreed to be a member of the NFMCPA Community Advisory Board. Her vast professional and advocacy background will enhance the Leaders Against Pain program as well as keep the NFMCPA positioned to act on national healthcare issues that influence the wellbeing and healthcare of people with FM and chronic pain conditions.

Barbara’s research and professional interests include health and disability policy, disability health disparities and health equity, Asperger syndrome, the impact of disabilities on the quality of life and participation, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and ethical issues in clinical practice.  Barbara’s fellowships with Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-WV), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) in occupational therapy, law, and public health while representing the disability community to the White House Roundtable on Health Disparities, and an appointment by Secretary Sebelius to HRSA’s Negotiated Rule-Making Committee on MUPs and HPSAs poised her to be instrumental in being a leading advocate voice for millions of underrepresented people with chronic health issues.  In academia, she has held director and deanship positions, published widely, and is co-author of the book, Ethics in Rehabilitation: A Clinical Approach.  

Sharecare is a health and wellness social media platform that connects people with top-ranking experts ranging from doctors and specialists to hospitals, healthcare companies and health-conscious consumers. The NFMCPA joined this impressive health related Internet resource as the nonprofit organization representing fibromyalgia and chronic pain conditions. Oregon Health & Science University professor Kim Dupree-Jones, NP, PhD, is the expert fielding all of the Q&A inquiries.

As the director of the Oregon Health & Science University’s Fibromyalgia Research Program, Dr. Jones is one of the world’s leading published, medical experts in this field. The power behind Sharecare’s unique Q&A format is its collective wisdom, providing health--seeking consumers with answers reflecting multiple expert perspectives—greatly simplifying the search for quality information. Created by Jeff Arnold and Dr. Mehmet Oz (Dr. Oz) in partnership with Harpo Studios, Sony Pictures Television and Discovery Communications, Sharecare allows people to ask, learn and act upon questions of health and wellness, creating an active community where knowledge is shared and put into practice -- simply said, sharing care. Launched in 2010, Sharecare is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Watch for formal announcements about this collaboration in November.

Nxtbook and Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain LIFE magazine joined forces on Apple Newsstand. The  previous issue of Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain LIFE magazine was the first issue appearing in the Apple Newsstand. The next issue will be more social network friendly and multiple technologies savvy. A next generation publishing company, Nxtbook’s expertise is creating and presenting digital publications in a variety of user friendly formats. It also allows the NFMCPA the latitude to connect videos and other engaging technologies directly into the magazine.

We are excited about the options Nxtbook brings to the magazine, and we look forward to raising readers’ interests and engagement regarding issues relevant to living life with a chronic illness. You still have time to take advantage of downloading a free complimentary app for the latest version of Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain LIFE at the Apple Newsstand. Now you can download this digital publication directly to your iPhone and iPad. See instructions regarding downloading the app in this newsletter’s App of Month.

And, there is more . . . Watch for next month’s Advocate Voice Newsletter and learn more about how the NFMCPA is working to represent your interests and wishes through advocacy and awareness.