ADVISORY BOARD
It’s our people who make the difference

Pain. It doesn't target a specific individual or demographic, nor does it care about gender, race or socioeconomic status.

Pain is universal.

The Pain.com Advisory Board was formed to ensure both the healthcare professional and consumer receives the most relevant, up-to-date information in the fields of pain and pain management. The Advisory Board consists of healthcare leaders representing a broad range of clinical settings, including neurology, pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, oncology, geriatrics and more.

Board members support and provide guidance to Pain.com through:

• Contributing both consumer and professional focused pain related content
• Raising awareness in the pain medicine and management disciplines
• Ascertaining pain medicine research and trends
• Building global, national, and local strategic partnerships
• Identifying relevant information for both the healthcare professional and consumer
• Reviewing Pain.com publications and materials
• Assessing the performance of the Board of Directors
• Organizing special activities and events to promote consumer awareness of painful conditions and treatment options

Pain.com would like to extend an invitation to both providers and consumers to join our advisory board. As an advisory board member, you have the opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise, as well as serve as an advocate -- and voice -- to individuals suffering with chronic pain.

Use Pain.com's reach to make your voice heard while helping others.

If you are interested in becoming a Pain.com Professional Advisory Board member, email editor@pain.com.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Donald Bacon, MD

Dr. Bacon is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology with a subspecialty certification in Pain Management and a diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians.

Originally from Abilene, Texas, Dr. Bacon earned his medical degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and completed an Anesthesiology residency at the University of Texas System, Bexar County Hospital and Audie Murphy Veterans Hospital. He has been in practice since 1977.

As a patient physician, Dr. Bacon believes in spending time with his patients to educate and inform them to help manage their conditions. He is a member of multiple professional associations including the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia, Texas Medical Association, American Neuromodulation Society, International Spinal Injection Society and the International Association for the Study of Pain among many others.

Dr. Bacon is also the Medical Director of Consultants in Pain Research and the Principal Investigator for research studies. Established in 2003, CPR specializes in studies that have to do with Chronic Pain.

Jennifer Bolen, JD

• Founder, The Legal Side of Pain®, www.legalsideofpain.com
• Special Counsel to the American Academy of Pain Medicine
• Board of Directors, American Society of Pain Educators
• Member, American Health Lawyers Association and National Association of Criminal Defense Counsel

Jennifer Bolen served as an Assistant US Attorney with the US Department of Justice for nearly 14 years. In 2002, Ms. Bolen founded The Legal Side of Pain® and entered into private practice in 2003 to educate health care providers on medico-legal issues on the use of controlled substances to treat pain. She also conducts practice audits and teaches providers how to perform self-audits with the intent of improving pain management documentation practices and patient relationships. She specializes in the creation and implementation of regulatory compliance programs and patient risk management protocols.

Ms. Bolen serves as expert oversight legal counsel on many board and criminal cases nationwide. She has also served as an expert witness for physicians in both board and criminal cases. She maintains one of the nation’s largest databases on expert witnesses and case-related legal materials. Currently, she is working on a study relating to ethical and legal standards relating to expert witness testimony.

Ms. Bolen serves on several national advisory boards and committees dedicated to improving legal and regulatory educational efforts for health care providers. She currently serves as special counsel to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, and she serves on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Pain Educators. In addition, Ms. Bolen is the legal editor for Pain Medicine News, and she publishes a column in Pain Medicine News and Anesthesiology News. She also serves on the editorial board for the American Academy of Pain Medicine’s journal, Pain Medicine and writes for several other journals and newsletters.

Ms. Bolen lives daily with chronic pain, but actively participates in family activities on her farm in Tennessee, where she and her family breed and train race and show horses. 

Paul Christo, MD

Dr. Christo is a board-certified, Harvard-trained anesthesiologist, and a Hopkins-trained pain medicine specialist. He directs the Multidisciplinary Pain Fellowship Program at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and directed the Pain Treatment Center at Johns Hopkins for five years. Dr. Christo is an international lecturer, reviewer for pain journal editorial boards, teacher, and published author in areas relating to pain medicine. He has coordinated several CME programs that focus on educating both specialists and generalists on important aspects of pain diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Christo specializes in treating patients with chronic pain: low back and neck pain, cancer pain, disc herniations and degenerative disc disease, neuropathic pain (reflex sympathetic dystrophy or complex regional pain syndrome), shingles pain (post herpetic neuralgia), thoracic outlet syndrome, and post-surgical pain. Additionally, he is experienced in performing implantations of pain pumps and spinal cord stimulators for the treatment of unrelenting pain. He has recently been selected as a Mayday Foundation Pain and Society Fellow where he will engage in media and policy initiatives for the advancement of pain control.

Dr. Christo has been recognized numerous times in various Top Physician lists, and has participated in television and radio programs, including Oprah and Friends XM Satellite Radio Show and Healthline. His credentials in pain medicine include sub-specialty certification in Pain Medicine by the American Board of Anesthesiology and board certification by the American Board of Pain Medicine. He also earned a MBA from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School focusing on health care management.

He is currently investigating novel therapies for the treatment of chronic pain syndromes, such as thoracic outlet syndrome, sexual side effects of chronic opioid therapy, pain medication prescription errors, and online educational modules for pain education.

Adam J. Carinci, MD

Dr. Carinci is an anesthesiologist and pain physician within the Department of Anesthesiology at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He has particular interests in neuroanesthesiology and pain management. Dr. Carinci is involved in research and clinical trials involving novel treatments for acute and chronic pain at MGH. Dr. Carinci has published multiple peer-reviewed papers and over 25 scientific abstracts.

Prior to his career as a physician, he worked in the pharmaceutical industry and held various roles ranging from quality assurance and quality control to regulatory affairs and compliance where he frequently corresponded with the FDA regarding drug application and approval processes. In addition to patient care, Dr. Carinci also consults for the life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare industry. He is a member of multiple professional associations including the America Society of Anesthesiology, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia, the Harvard Biotechnology Club and the Harvard Consulting Club.

Dr. Carinci graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pace University in 1998 with a B.S. in Biochemistry. He completed medical school in 2005, earning an M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Carinci completed an internal medicine internship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital / Sinai Hospital and then completed a residency in Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is currently a fellow in Interventional Spine / Pain Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School.

Jeannie Davis, CTN

Jeannie is a Certified Traditional Naturopath who has been working in the holistic health field since 1992. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Carlow College and her masters degree from Duquesne University. Jeannie completed naturopathy studies in 1996 and advanced studies in natural health in 1999. Additionally, she is a master herbalist, master iridologist, and master kinesiologist. In 2002, Davis received her diplomate acupuncture certification from the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture.

Using Body Specific Nutritional Counseling©, Davis tests clients for various ailments using herbs, vitamins, minerals, flower remedies, essential oils and other therapies. She is also certified in many other modalilties, including NAET allergy reversal treatments, myofascial release, cranial sacral therapy, body talk, iridology, kinesiology, EAV screening/electro dermal screening, Reiki, theta healing, and meridian therapy.

Loolwa Khazzoom

Loolwa is a health & wellness coach and consultant, with a specialty in natural pain relief. She writes on the topic for numerous media outlets, including The Washington Post, CNN, Yoga Journal, Self, BBC News, The Boston Globe, and AARP. In these capacities, she has worked with leading healthcare practitioners and pain specialists, including Andrew Weil, M.D., David Simon, M.D., James Dillard, M.D., and Mark Young, M.D.

Loolwa has lectured at institutions including Harvard University and Brown University on the East Coast and the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Skirball Cultural Center on the West Coast. She also has been a featured expert in numerous documentaries and in interviews on radio, television, the internet, and print media; she has published two books and she blogs on natural pain relief and numerous other topics. In addition, Loolwa is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has performed internationally.

Following a hit-and-run, head-on car collision in 1997, Loolwa went from bad to worse in the medical system. In 2005, she discovered dance as a primary modality of healing herself from pain and disability, and in 2007, she began teaching this method to others, along with lifestyle management strategies and patient care techniques. Loolwa now offers numerous programs and consulting sessions for healthcare consumers and practitioners dealing with chronic pain.

Rebecca Rengo, MA, MSW, LCSW, ACSW

Rebecca is  a coach, therapist, speaker and educator with 26 years of experience. Rebecca Rengo has master's degrees in social work and public administration. Currently, she serves as president of the Missouri Pain Initiative and is a member of the American Pain Society, as well as other related health and pain associations. Additionally, Rengo is also an adjunct faculty member at St. Louis University, Washington University and the University of Missouri, as well as a full-time faculty member at Washington University’s School of Medicine.

A well-respected author, Rengo has been interviewed on radio and television programs across the country, and offers seminars nationally and internationally, teleconferences, and coaching using concepts from her book, Beyond Chronic Pain.

Scott Sauer, DO

Dr. Sauer has been in private practice in Myrtle Beach, SC for over 10 years, where he specializes in minimally invasive treatment modalities for spine pain of multiple origins.

Dr. Sauer is a board certified anesthesiologist, trained at Duke University. He completed a fellowship in pain management at the Medical University of South Carolina and is board certified as pain management specialist.

He received his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an internship in medicine and surgery at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills, MI.

In treating patients, Dr. Sauer uses a multidisciplinary approach. His practice focuses on individual patient treatment modalities utilizing evidence-based medicine and the newest techniques available. His practice specializes in complex pain syndromes and patients that have failed other treatment plans.

Robert Schwartz, MD

Dr. Schwartz is in private practice in South Carolina where he specializes in pain diagnosis and treatment, vascular medicine, and non-surgical specialty care.

After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, Dr. Schwartz attended medical school at Wayne State University, and completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain management, electrodiagnostic medicine, orthopedic medicine and thermology. Dr. Schwartz is also a fellow of the  Society for  Vascular Medicine and Biology.

When he's not working with patients, Dr. Schwartz is a sought after presenter and lecturer. He also donates time to working with patient support groups. He is a strong advocate of patient-centered healthcare and has incorporated this practice philosophy into his office environment.

Howard S. Smith, MD, FACP

Dr. Smith is the Academic Director of Pain Management in the Department of Anesthesiology at Albany Medical College in Albany, New York. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, and Anesthesiology, as well as having certification in Pain Management by both the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine. Additional certifications are in Palliative Medicine by the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and in Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Addiction Medicine/American Society of Addiction Medicine.

As a member of the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dr Smith served as Director of Pain Medicine at Presbyterian University Hospital, and as faculty at the Harvard Medical School was Director of Cancer Pain at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr Smith had also served as the Director of Pain Management and Director of Pain Fellowship at Albany Medical College/Albany Medical Center Hospital.

Dr Smith received the Leonard Bushnell Pain Award for Teaching Excellence in Pain Management Fellowship in 2001 from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center of Harvard Medical School. An expert reviewer for a number of publications including the journal Pain, he is also the Editor-in-Chief of Pain Physician and the Journal of Pain Research and is on the editorial board of the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care. Dr Smith has authored numerous articles, books, and book chapters, as well as having lectured frequently at national and international professional society meetings. He is a member of multiple committees of the American Academy of Pain Medicine and the American Pain Society. In addition, he has contributed questions and served as an initial committee member of the joint Pain Management Examination Committee of the American Board of Anesthesiology, American Board of Physical Medical and Rehabilitation, and American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Major Donald Stracener, RN, BSN

Major Stracener is a registered nurse and works as an Admissions Nurse in the Emergency Department and a part-time Nurse Administrator at Methodist Healthcare in San Antonio, TX. He earned his BSN from Northwestern State University in 1993. He has practiced and continues to practice in both military and civilian facilities.

He currently holds the rank of Major and has 19.5 years of military service in the Army, Army Reserves, Air Force, and Air Force Reserves. His military career started in 1990. Throughout which, he deployed twice to the Baltics in support of Operation Joint Endeavor while in the Army and deployed to Iraq to support Iraqi Freedom while in the Air Force.

He responds to all Rapid Response and Code Blue situations. A rapid response situation is one where a patient is beginning to deteriorate and the nursing floor asks for an ICU nurse evaluation and assistance to prevent the situation from worsening. A code blue situation is actual or imminent cardiac or respiratory arrest. His other role as Nurse Administrator involves overseeing all aspects of nursing care and ensuring the nursing units have the resources they need to provide high quality care for our patients. He hates to see anyone in a bad situation but enjoys the privilege and challenge of keeping patients in trauma and critical care situations comfortable and making them better.

Michael Whitworth, MD

Dr. Whitworth is a national leader in the development of minimally invasive spine surgical techniques, including endoscopic discectomy. He practices interventional pain medicine and is involved in research with artificial nucleus technologies.

In addition to his practice, he also educates other pain specialists. He is former course director for the Society for Pain Practice Management (SPPM) national courses; is a faculty instructor and lecturer for ISIS, ASIPP, and PASSOR; and serves as a board member of the International Spinal Intervention Society.

With continuing activity in pain research, he remains on the cutting edge of pain therapies and the most advanced technologies for treatment and diagnosis of pain conditions. Dr. Whitworth holds board certifications from the American Board of Pain Medicine, American Board of Interventional Pain Medicine, American Board of Minimally Invasive Spine Medicine and Surgery, American Board of Anesthesiology, American Academy of Pain Management, and is a fellow of the International Institute of Pain and the International College of Surgeons. He is also on the board of directors of the two largest physician pain organizations in the US: ISIS and American Academy of Pain Medicine.

John Wedman, PhD

John Wedman is Professor and Director of the School of Information Science & Learning Technologies at the University of Missouri. Wedman’s background includes significant experience in business/industry, government, higher education, and K-12 schools. He founded three small businesses dedicated to training design and evaluation, and performance improvement. Wedman often uses his business/industry experiences in his work in higher education, including performance improvement strategies and return-on-investment analysis. Wedman is the lead developer of the Performance Pyramid framework and associated needs assessment tools, all of which can be found at the website below.

Email: WedmanJ@missouri.edu
Web: http://NeedsAssessment.missouri.edu

Angela Weeks, RN, CDE

Angela began her career at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL as a clinical dietitian where she gained a wealth of experience and developed a passion for working with people with diabetes. She earned herBachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Food Science-Dietetics from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1994. After she earned her Certified Diabetes Educator credential (CDE) in 1999 it became evident that the incidence of diabetes was escalating and the community needed an education program. In 2005, Angela began working with another diabetes educator to develop and implement a Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) program which later earned recognition by the American Diabetes Association. Angela continues to work in the DSMT program as a diabetes educator.

Angela is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators and enjoys fundraising for the American Diabetes Association by participating in the Tour de Cure since 1994.

Steven J. Weisman, MD

Dr. Weisman currently holds the Jane B. Pettit Chair in Pain Management at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where he is the Medical Director of the Jane B. Pettit Pain and Palliative Care Center. In addition, he is Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Weisman formerly established and directed pain management programs for children at both the University of Connecticut Health Center and Yale University School of Medicine, where he also held teaching positions.

His clinical and research interests focus on multidisciplinary system-wide approaches to pain management and postoperative pain in children. Under his direction, the Pettit Pain and Palliative Care Center has introduced programs in acupuncture and mindfulness meditation for children. In addition, work is ongoing in the investigation of the relationship between obesity and chronic pain plus school avoidance and chronic pain in children.

Dr. Weisman has spearheaded several different quality improvement programs for pain management in children at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. In addition, he has been the project champion for pain management initiatives in the quality improvement group of the Child Health Corporation of America.

William T. Zempsky, MD

Dr. Zempsky is presently the Associate Director of the Pain Relief Program and Medical Director of the Clinical Trials Unit at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Dr. Zempsky received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and completed a pediatric residency on the Harriet Lane Service at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He also completed a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Dr. Zempsky is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine.

Dr. Zempsky has lectured nationally and internationally on the pediatric pain management focused on an efficient systemic approach to pain relief. He has published numerous research papers, articles and chapters this area. He is a renowned expert in the area of transdermal drug delivery for local anesthesia. His research interests include pain in children with sickle cell disease, developing systematic approaches to pain management, and transdermal drug delivery. Dr. Zempsky is the lead author on the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement concerning pain management in emergency medical systems for children. Dr. Zempsky is a pain consultant for both the Brighton Collaboration, an international group of investigators focused on vaccination side effects, and the FDA. In 2008 Dr. Zempsky received 2 major awards the prestigious Donaghue Investigator Award to carry out his research in sickle cell pain, as well as the Mayday Pain and Society Fellowship to enhance his abilities in pain advocacy. Dr. Zempsky also holds a 4 year Career Development grant from the National Institutes of Health.