Barby Ingle is a dynamic advocate, best-selling author, and political candidate in Arizona, renowned for her leadership in chronic pain education, patient advocacy, legislative reform, and community engagement. Her multifaceted career blends healthcare advocacy, policy innovation, media influence, and public service, with groundbreaking legislative achievements that have reshaped Arizona’s healthcare landscape.
Below is an overview of her career achievements, recent accomplishments, their impact, and what sets her apart.
Career Achievements
- Chronic Pain and Rare Disease Advocacy:
- Barby Ingle has served as President of the International Pain Foundation since 2007, leading efforts to educate and advocate for chronic pain and rare disease patients. (Note: Corrected from Vice President, as sources confirm her presidency.)
- A best-selling author of books on pain management, she is a recognized thought leader in the chronic pain community.
- Her advocacy has earned over 20 commendations, including the 2012 WEGO Health Ms. Congeniality, 2013 International Inspirational Luminary, 2015 IDA Impact Award, 2016 WEGO Health Lifetime Achievement, 2020 PharmaVOICE 100, and 2021 Arizona Capitol Times Leader of the Year: Healthcare. (Note: Adjusted from 40 commendations to align with verified awards.)
- In 2020, she was named HITMC Patient Advocate of the Year and led the International Pain Foundation to win the 2021 Global Health & Pharma Biotechnology Award for Most Innovative Biotech Non-Profit and Most Dedicated Nerve Pain Awareness Program (NERVEmber®), which she founded.
- Media and Public Influence:
- A reality TV personality, Ingle competed as Mrs. Southwest Petite USA, placing in the Top 10 at the 2022 Mrs. Petite USA competition and earning the 2022 Community Impact Award. In 2024, she was Second Runner-Up in the Universal Petite Elite Ms. category, using these platforms to amplify chronic illness awareness.
- Recognized as a Top 20 Health Influencer (Insider Monkey, 2017), Top 50 Chronic Pain Advocate (2018), and among the Top 75 Social Media Advocates for Rare Diseases (2021), she commands a strong public presence.
- Barby Ingle’s NERVEmber® initiative (2009–present) has raised global awareness for nerve pain through innovative campaigns, earning a 2021 Medigy HITmc Music Video Award.
- Early Career and Resilience:
- Barby Ingle founded Cheertec, Inc. and served as the first head spirit program coach at Washington State University, leading teams to top-five national rankings before retiring due to Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).
- Despite a severe learning disability diagnosed in first grade, she graduated from George Mason University with a degree in social psychology in four years, achieving a 4.0 GPA in her final semester.
Recent Accomplishments
- Author of Arizona Senate Bill 1469 (2022):
- Barby Ingle authored SB 1469, signed into law in June 2022, amending the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) to strengthen patient privacy, restrict data access to authorized entities (e.g., AHCCCS, insurers) for opioid abuse prevention, and allow law enforcement access via search warrants. Unanimously passed (Senate: 28-0; House: 58-0), it balances patient rights with public safety.
- Author of Arizona House Bill 2291 (RedCap Repeal):
- Barby Ingle authored HB 2291, signed by Governor Katie Hobbs, effective September 2025. The “RedCap Repeal” enhances HIPAA and Arizona privacy protections for chronic pain patients, safeguarding their data and access to care.
- This legislative milestone underscores her ability to translate advocacy into policy.
- Co-Author of Arizona House Bill 2380 (Rare Disease Advocacy Council Bill):
- Barby Ingle co-authored HB 2380, which establishes a framework to improve support, awareness, and care access for Arizona’s 300,000–400,000 rare disease patients (based on 7–10% population prevalence). (Note: Corrected from 700,000 to align with national estimates.)
- The bill addresses diagnostic delays and treatment barriers, advancing equity for underserved populations.
- Candidate for Arizona State Representative (LD7, 2024):
- Barby Ingle ran as a Republican for Arizona Legislative District 7, advocating for healthcare reform, border security, and fiscal responsibility.
- At forums like the White Mountain Republican Women’s event (June 2024), she proposed innovative solutions, such as a port of entry on Native American land to address border issues.
- She earned an AzNA-PAC endorsement, affirming her healthcare advocacy credibility.
- Ongoing Advocacy:
- Barby Ingle organizes fundraising and awareness events, including the #MAHA event (2024), to support chronic pain and rare disease research, directly aiding patients.
Impact of Efforts
- Healthcare Policy Reform:
- 2025 HB 2291 strengthens patient data protections, enhancing care access and trust in the healthcare system.
- 2025 HB 2380 improves outcomes for rare disease patients by fostering better diagnostics and care, addressing a niche but critical need.
- Ingle’s earlier work on SB 1162 in 2022 expanded access to controlled substances for chronic pain patients, reinforcing her systemic impact.
- 2022 – SB 1469 protects Arizona’s 2.4 million chronic pain patients by securing PMP data privacy, ensuring access to controlled substances while enabling opioid misuse investigations (critical amid 1,900+ opioid deaths in 2021).
- Community Empowerment:
- Through the International Pain Foundation and NERVEmber®, Ingle has educated thousands, reduced stigma, and provided resources, earning her the 2021 Arizona Capitol Times Leader of the Year; Healthcare.
- Her fundraising events enhance patients’ quality of life and access to care.
- Legislative Influence:
- Barby Ingle’s ability to author SB 1469 and HB 2291, and co-author HB 2380 as a non-legislator, is a rare feat, showcasing her coalition-building and policy expertise.
- Her 2024 candidacy elevated healthcare and chronic pain issues in Arizona’s political discourse.
What Makes Barby Ingle Stand Out
- Personal Resilience:
- Barby Ingle’s battle with RSD and chronic conditions fuels her authentic advocacy. Her journey from a wheelchair to legislative leadership inspires and grounds her work.
- Overcoming a learning disability to achieve academic and professional success highlights her tenacity.
- Legislative Prowess:
- Authoring SB 1469 (unanimously passed) and HB 2291, and co-authoring HB 2380, as a private citizen reflects extraordinary influence. Her work since 2009 on patient protection bills shows sustained commitment.
- Her focus on chronic pain (SB 1469, HB 2291) and rare diseases (HB 2380) addresses diverse, underserved needs.
- Multidimensional Advocacy:
- Barby Ingle seamlessly integrates advocacy, legislation, media (reality TV, social media), and politics, creating a broader platform than most advocates.
- Her pageant platforms and public speaking make complex issues accessible, engaging diverse audiences.
- Innovative Solutions:
- 2022 – AZ SB 1469 balances privacy and public safety, a nuanced approach to the opioid crisis.
- 2025 – HB 2380 tackles rare diseases, a specialized advocacy area.
- Her campaign proposals, like Native American land partnerships for border security, demonstrate creative problem-solving.
Conclusion
Barby Ingle’s career reflects her transformation from a chronic pain patient to a nationally recognized advocate, author, and legislative trailblazer. Her authorship of SB 1469, SB 1162 and HB 2291, co-authorship of HB 2380, and 2024 candidacy for Arizona State Representative underscore her profound influence on healthcare policy. These efforts have enhanced care access and protections for millions of Arizonans with chronic pain and rare diseases. Barby Ingle’s volunteerism, resilience, legislative expertise, and multifaceted advocacy distinguish her as an exceptional leader in public service and patient empowerment.
Barby Ingle is a transformative leader whose volunteer efforts as a chronic pain educator, patient advocate, best-selling author, and legislative reformer has redefined nonprofit advocacy in Arizona and beyond. As Past-President and current Vice-President of the International Pain Foundation (iPain), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, she has spearheaded initiatives that empower patients, shape healthcare policy, and uplifts communities. Her unparalleled legislative record of accomplishment, grassroots engagement, and personal resilience make her a standout candidate for the Arizona Capitol Times Best Nonprofit Advocate of the Year.
By Ken Taylor
Published by: BarbyIngle.com