International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

The International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFS/ME) is an international, non-profit professional and patient organization dedicated to the care and research of people affected by myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia and other related conditions. It 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 Edward Taylor, its first Treasurer. The organization was originally known as the American Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (AACFS) and adopted its current international name in 2005. The association brings together researchers, clinicians, healthcare workers, CFS support groups and patients. Its stated goals at founding were to learn more about the illness through discussion, research, treatment and education, with a particular emphasis on educating physicians to diagnose and treat CFS patients. These goals have been pursued through conferences held biannually throughout the United States, and the organization has since extended its membership and participation to foreign researchers and clinicians, with a Board of Directors that includes international members. IACFS/ME publishes a peer-reviewed medical journal, Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health, & Behavior, which members receive online access to quarterly. It organizes international conferences — including a 2025 Virtual Medical and Scientific Conference — and produces educational resources such as a Primer for Clinical Practitioners. The association also reviews current research and treatment literature and media reports for the benefit of scientists, clinicians and patients, and promotes science-based care, research and public health policies. IACFS/ME is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes as a qualified exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, with Tax ID 73-1416680. Its leadership has included Fred Friedberg, PhD, a research professor in the psychiatry department at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York, who has served as President. The organization has established a number of awards to recognize individuals for outstanding contributions to its mission, including the Rudy Perpich Senior Lectureship Award, named for the late Governor Rudy Perpich, a Board Member who worked to influence politicians in other states and in Washington, DC to recognize CFS.

The International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFS/ME) was founded in 1990 by Dharam V. Ablashi and Orvalene Prewitt. It 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. This group could then learn more about this illness together through discussion, research, treatment and education, with a special focus on educating physicians to diagnose and treat CFS patients. These goals have been achieved through conferences held biannually throughout the United States. The organization 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, reflecting its internationalization. The IACFS/ME has now extended its membership and participation to foreign researchers and clinicians, with a new Board of Directors with international members. In the coming years, the IACFS/ME wants to focus on educational projects for professionals and non-professionals, having close working relationships with patients' groups, and establishing collaborations between researchers, physicians and patients' groups. The IACFS/ME has established a number of awards over the years to recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to the mission of IACFS/ME, including the Rudy Perpich Senior Lectureship Award, named for the late Governor Rudy Perpich, who was a Board Member and worked hard to influence his fellow politicians in other states and in Washington, DC to recognize CFS.

• 2025

  Held a Virtual Medical and Scientific Conference.

• 2005

  AACFS changed its name to IACFS/ME.

• 1992

  Chartered as a not-for-profit organization in the state of Oklahoma with help and financial support from Edward Taylor, first Treasurer.

• 1990

  IACFS/ME founded by Dharam V. Ablashi and Orvalene Prewitt.

International non-profit professional society promoting science-based care, research, medical education and public health policy for ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and related disorders.

• Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health, & Behavior

• Primer for Clinical Practitioners

• IACFS/ME International Conferences

1. 1Home - International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFS/ME)iacfsme.org
2. 2History - International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFS/ME)iacfsme.org
3. 3About IACFS/ME - International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFS/ME)iacfsme.org
4. 4International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalopathywikidata.org