Councils

MassPI welcomes volunteers (health care professionals and laypersons) interested in improving the quality of life for those affected by pain. Volunteers participate in councils which are an integral part of MassPI’s mission and important for the achievement of its current and future goals. Listed below are the councils for which MassPI welcomes your participation. To request more information or to volunteer, please click here.

Education Council
Policy Council
Communications Council
Membership

Steering Council

The Steering Council directs the work of the Massachusetts Pain Initiative in order to acomplish our Mission. Steering Council membership frequently starts with involvement in one of the individual Councils and is open to anyone with an interest in contributing to the work of the Massachusetts Pain Initiative. Steering Council member information is available here.

Steering Council Members:

Steering Council Co-Chairs

Ann Marie Harootunian, RN, MS, FNP, Walpole, MA
Mary Jane Estrada-Lyder, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, Brighton, MA

Council Chairs (see Council descriptions below)
Mary Jane Estrada-Lyder, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, Brighton, MA
Audrey Ruotolo, PharmD, BCPS, Peabody, MA
Cindy Steinberg, BA, BS, Lexington, MA

Treasurer
Christopher Joyce, PT, DPT, PhD, Worcester, MA

Members-at-Large

Christopher Joyce, PT, DPT, PhD, Worcester, MA

Michele Matthews, PharmD
Gina Muyuela, MSN, PCCN, Franklin, MA
Ginger Newell-Stokes, MS, RN, Deerfield, MA
Jackie Orent-Nathan, ARNP-BC, Derry, NH

James Rycroft, Raynham, MA

Ted Toufas, BS, PharmD, RPh, Shirley, MA
Karyl Wong, RN, BSN, Medway, MA

Education Council

Co-Chairs
Mary Jane Estrada-Lyder, MSN, RN, ANP-NC
Audrey Ruotolo, PharmD, BCPS

The Education Council is charged with the task of educating and informing health care professionals and the public about topics related to effective pain management. In the past, council members have led a successful practice change program, promoting Effective Pain Management Practices for a number of home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities and community hospitals across Massachusetts. Presentations and workshops are offered by MassPI members in a variety of settings. This council also developed a Pain Management Pocket Tool for distribution to healthcare professionals. Over 5,000 tools have been distributed thus far. The Education Council members strive to educate clinical staff in health care facilities in MA with MassPI Power Over Pain (POP) program. The council also assists in organizing educational programs on current topics, usually offered annually in the fall.

The Council’s primary vehicle for informing the public about pain is through “Power Over Pain” (POP) which offers a free public education program to community and non-profit organizations, such as churches, synagogues, civic and community groups, hospitals, health centers, businesses, and athletic clubs. POP presenters are volunteers many of whom have clinical experience with pain management. Other presenters are experienced educators or are pain patients themselves. They are geographically dispersed throughout Massachusetts and are trained by Mass PI.

This Council has a core group of 10 volunteers who comprise the active council, but many others provide help as needed.For more information or to see how to become involved, please contact Audrey Ruotolo or Mary Jane Estrada-Lyder.

Policy Council

Chair
Cindy Steinberg, BA, BS

The Policy Council’s primary goal is to advance pain management in the Commonwealth through public policy. We accomplish that by:

  • Educating lawmakers on pain management issues
  • Helping to advance legislation that will result in improvements in pain care
  • Identifying legislative opportunities for and barriers to improving pain care and taking action on them
  • Providing advice on pain management issues to public health officials by appointment to and participation on Commissions, Boards and Working Groups

For more information about the Policy Council or to see how to become involved, please contact Cindy Steinberg .

Communications Council

Chair and Webmaster
Open Position

This council's purpose is to develop and implement communications strategies and plans for MassPI programs and events. The council is also responsible for managing the MassPI web site and social media.

For more information or to see how to become involved, please contact info@masspaininitiative.org

Membership

The purpose is to manage and expand MassPI's volunteers and total membership. Contact MassPI for detailed information about volunteer opportunities or questions about membership.

For more information or to see how to become involved, please contact info@masspaininitiative.org