National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee; Call for Committee Membership Nominations

The Department of Health and Human Services (Department) has created the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee and is seeking nominations for this committee. As specified in Public Law 111-148 (“Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”) the Committee will: (a) Develop a summary of advances in pain care research supported or conducted by the Federal agencies relevant to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of pain and diseases and disorders associated with pain; (b) identify critical gaps in basic and clinical research on the symptoms and causes of pain; (c) make recommendations to ensure that the activities of the National Institutes of Health and other Federal agencies are free of unnecessary duplication of effort; (d) make recommendations on how best to disseminate information on pain care; and (e) make recommendations on how to expand partnerships between public entities and private entities to expand collaborative, cross-cutting research.

Membership on the committee will include six (6) non-Federal members from among scientists, physicians, and other health professionals and six (6) non-Federal members of the general public who are representatives of leading research, advocacy, and service organizations for individuals with pain-related conditions. Members will serve overlapping three year terms. It is anticipated that the committee will meet at least once a year.

The Department strives to ensure that the membership of HHS Federal advisory committees is fairly balanced in terms of points of view represented and the committee's function. Every effort is made to ensure that the views of women, all ethnic and racial groups, and people with disabilities are represented on HHS Federal advisory committees and, therefore, the Department encourages nominations of qualified candidates from these groups. The Department also encourages geographic diversity in the composition of the Committee. Appointment to this Committee shall be made without discrimination on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status.

The Department is soliciting nominations for two non-federal members from among scientists, physicians, and other health professionals and for two non-federal members of the general public who are representatives of leading research, advocacy, and service organizations for people with pain-related conditions. These candidates will be considered to fill positions opened through completion of member terms. Nominations are due by COB, January 25, 2013, and should be sent to Linda Porter, Ph.D., NINDS/NIH, 31 Center Drive, Room 8A03, Bethesda, MD 20892, porterl@ninds.nih.gov by either USPS mail or email. Nominations should include contact information, and a current curriculum vitae or resume.