MIDDLETOWN, CT Dec. 20, 2018 – The U.S. Pain Foundation (U.S. Pain) is continuing to implement changes to strengthen the organization after requesting the resignation of its former CEO in May. In a statement issued this week on its website and emailed to supporters, the 12 year-old organization reviewed the positive steps it’s made since learning of the financial misdeeds of the former CEO.
The financial irregularities were discovered in April. At that time, the Board of Directors for the organization hired an independent attorney and a forensic accountant to investigate. This investigation confirmed that the former CEO had misused funds. The Board concluded that the former CEO had misled and concealed information from U.S. Pain’s Board of Directors and staff. As a result, the Board demanded and received the former CEO’s immediate resignation on May 29.
U.S. Pain immediately brought the actions of the former CEO to the attention of the appropriate authorities in early-June and, through counsel, has fully cooperated ever since. Previously, the organization had not publicly commented on these matters on the advice of counsel. The Board has been working diligently to rectify the situation, enacting new policies and putting protective measures in place to strengthen the financial reporting and controls of the organization.
Despite the setbacks, U.S. Pain has been able to carry on its work delivering programs and events to support people living with pain. In 2018, U.S. Pain produced four editions of the INvisible Project; hosted two support group leader trainings and continued to grow its support groups nationally. The organization produced twelve educational webinars; organized its most robust Pain Awareness Month campaign ever and hosted two daylong educational events. U.S. Pain also hosted the first pediatric pain retreat for children and families.
Interim CEO Nicole Hemmenway says, “Our programs are vital to the 50 million Americans living with chronic pain. I am committed to ensuring our programs and services continue to address the challenges faced by people with pain and make a difference in their lives now and for years to come.”
To learn more, visit uspainfoundation.org.
About U.S. Pain
The mission of the U.S. Pain Foundation is to empower, educate, connect, and advocate for individuals living with chronic illness that causes pain, as well as their caregivers and clinicians.
Through our multiple programs and services, it works to enhance the quality of life for people with pain, improve patient outcomes, address access and affordability issues, and increase public awareness and empathy for the issue of pain. The U.S. Pain Foundation is a nonprofit organization, tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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