The Headache Cooperative of the Northeast is a non-profit organization composed of medical, dental, and allied health professionals who are interested in the science and practice of headache medicine. HCNE was established in 1991 as the New England local affiliate of the American Association for the Study or Headache (AASH), now the American Headache Society (AHS). HCNE became independent of the AAHS several years later and became a non-profit organization in 2002. HCNE has a Board of Directors composed of leading headache specialists in the greater New England region.
Our primary activities consist of producing seminars, courses and publications devoted to Headache Medicine, including a yearly Headache Medicine Board Certification Review. The Winter HCNE Headache Conference and the Fall Boston HCNE Headache Symposium have become mainstays of the field in our region, and attract a national attendance, in large part because of the national and international stature of faculty at these meetings (See Conferences).
In 2008, HCNE published the HCNE Comprehensive Review of Headache Medicine book, which can be ordered from the Publications page.
Resources
Information for Patients and Professionals can be found in these pages as well as in our Links section. We have a strict policy governing our relationship with corporate sponsors (see Pharmaceutical Industry Policy).
Membership & Support
Members and friends of the Headache Cooperative of New England can play a vital role in helping HCNE meet our research and education goals at a continued high level of quality. HCNE membership meetings are held yearly. Bylaws of the HCNE can be seen here.
Goals of HCNE
To advance the science of headache through education and coordinated research.
To provide a forum to link providers of headache care throughout the northeast.
To support access to appropriate care for our patients.
To increase awareness about national and international organizations and journals devoted to headache research and patient care.
In Memoriam: Fred D. Sheftell, MD (1941-2011)
Our friend, highly esteemed colleague, founding HCNE member and recipient of the HCNE Lifetime Achievement award, Fred Sheftell, MD, FAHS, lost his valiant battle with cancer in 2011.
Fred loved what he did. He loved caring for his patients and working with his colleagues at the New England Center for Headache. He loved Headache Medicine and the Headache Cooperative of New England.
Throughout his busy life, Fred was cited as one of the “Best Doctors in America”. Fred co-authored 11 books and 200 peer-reviewed articles on headache. He lectured throughout the world and appeared on numerous TV and radio programs to speak about headache and related issues.
His wonderful musicianship is well known, and he produced a CD of his songs about headaches: “Migraine Blues”. Fred was the president of the American Headache Society (AHS) from 2008-2010. He chaired ACHE, the AHS patient education organization, for over 10 years, and founded the World Headache Alliance, a patient-oriented group of the International Headache Society. Fred’s commitment to patient care and education impacted and inspired all who knew him.
We will miss him, as will his devoted patients and their families.