International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or IACFS/ME is a multidisciplinary 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. They sponsor biennial international conferences to stimulate research and collaboration in the study of chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis, and fibromyalgia.

Mission statement
"The mission of the IACFS/ME is to promote, stimulate and coordinate the exchange of ideas related to CFS, ME and fibromyalgia (FM) research, patient care and treatment. In addition, the IACFS/ME periodically reviews the current research and treatment literature and media reports for the benefit of scientists, clinicians and patients.  The IACFS/ME also conducts and/or participates in local, national, and international scientific conferences in order to promote and evaluate new research and to encourage future research ventures and cooperative activities to advance scientific and clinical knowledge of these illnesses."

Journal
The professional journal published on behalf of the IACFS/ME is Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior.

Founding
"The IACFS/ME was founded in 1990 by Dharam V. Ablashi and Orvalene Prewitt, and was chartered in 1992 as a not-for-profit organization in the state of Oklahoma with the help and financial support of Mr. Edward Taylor, the first Treasurer of the IACFS. The goals set forth by the Board of Directors at the first meeting were to bring together researchers, clinicians, healthcare workers, CFS support groups and patients, so that all could learn more about this illness through discussion, research and treatment and education, especially educating physicians to diagnose and treat CFS patients. These goals have been achieved through conferences held biannually throughout the United States. The IACFS/ME went through a phase when CFS was not recognized by most practicing physicians, despite recognition by the CDC and NIH.  In 2005 the AACFS changed its name to IACFS/ME."

Board of Directors
Members serving in 2016:

PRESIDENT

Fred Friedberg, PhD Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY, USA

CO-VICE PRESIDENTS

Staci Stevens, MA  Workwell Foundation Ripon, CA, USA

Lily Chu, MD, MS Burlingame, CA, USA

TREASURER

Steve Krafchick, MPH, JD Krafchick Law Firm PLLC Legal Services for Injured and Disabled People Seattle, WA, USA

BOARD MEMBERS

Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, PhD Melbourne, Australia

Jon Kaiser, MD UCSF Medical School San Francisco, CA, USA

Online presence

 * Website