Attendee Profiles
Christopher Hartz, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Fresno VAMC, CA
“This year will be my third consecutive PAINWeek, and it has become an integral part of my pain management training to treat our Veterans in primary care. I was inspired after attending my first PAINWeek to become more involved with everything pain related at this facility. Just prior to attending my second conference, I found a Clinical Psychologist that possessed the same passion in dealing with our Veterans that suffered from significant pain issues. Together we started a Primary Care Chronic Pain Clinic and we meet together twice weekly with each Veteran that has been referred to our clinic by their PCP. We attended the conference together last year and plan to do the same this year. Our clinic reaches its first-year anniversary just prior to us going to PAINWeek again to gain more tools for our very deserving patients. My other goal this year is to become a Certified Pain Educator. We have some amazing stories related to caring for these Veterans and providing assistance to over 40 PCPs which includes almost 20 residents. Thank you all for providing us such a comprehensive and practical pain management conference.”
Nancy Doong, PA-C
Sinai Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Baltimore, MD
Physician Assistant
“I have been trying to attend PAINWeek for the past 4 years but something has always stopped me, whether it was scheduling conflicts, work schedule, or lack of funds it always boiled down to "maybe next year". Well next year is finally here and I can't wait to attend. As a Physician Assistant, we don't get any special training or insight in Pain Management so over the past 5 years it's been a "learn as you go phenomenon". Which is great but you also only learn what the docs practice when you're working with others. I figured at PAINWeek I could get a much broader background of knowledge from different members of the pain treatment community. I can't wait to attend!!
I'm looking forward to taking in as much of everyone's knowledge as possible.”
Romanth Waghmarae MD, DABP, FIPP
Williamsville, NY
“I liked PAINWeek! - to network, keep up with latest nationwide trends, learn more about government crookedness and intrusion into our autonomy, and to meet and discuss with others.”
Luc Tremblay, MD
Family Physician
Montreal, Quebec
“My specialties are palliative care and family medicine”
Janeen Dahn, NP
Nurse Practitioner-Advanced Practice Consultant
Phoenix, AZ
“I am an advanced practice nurse consultant investigator for the Arizona State Board of Nursing. One of my job responsibilities includes reviewing the medical records of chronic pain management patients by Arizona Nurse Practitioners who have had a complaint filed against their license. I use the information I learned at this conference to evaluate the appropriateness of care.”
David Cosio, PhD
Psychologist
Chicago, IL
“As an early career health psychologist, I felt it was important for me to become informed about all the different facets of chronic or persistent pain and self-management, in order to advocate for my patients. This past year was my second time at the conference. I was impressed with how much more comprehensive the conference was in 2011. I hope the conference continues to grow and inform all practitioners about all the different modalities that are available for pain management.”
Mary Parker, NP
Adult Nurse Practitioner (dual certification: Clinical Nurse Specialist (Adult Health))
Bethesda, MD
“I’ve wanted to attend PAINWeek for the past three years; however, something always seems to conflict. First, I was transferring from Guam to Bethesda, MD, then the next year I was deployed to Kuwait. This year I just had too much going on, following my return from deployment. I’ve registered for 2012 even though I will be transferring to another location, but it’s really just down the road in Virginia.
My interest in pain stems from my work and experiences with Wounded Warriors. I’ve also developed an interest in learning more about how the brain processes pain, because of research that shows mental and emotional pain lights up the brain in the same way as physical pain. It definitely has a link with another research topic of mine: insomnia and suicide.
I’m looking forward to learning more about pain management and research in the field. I’m also interested in networking with others who have an interest in how pain affects everyday life and function. As I pursue my doctorate in nursing practice, professional events like PAINWeek will keep me current on practices that will affect the nursing students I intend to teach and mentor.”
Deborah Morrow, LCSW, LADC
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, National Registered EMT
Jack C Montgomery VA Medical Center
Muskogee, OK
“I have attended PAINWeek in each of the last 2 years and found the information to be helpful to me and all the staff and Veterans that I work with throughout each year. The information addresses the Biopsychosocial aspects of pain, a comprehensive approach that allows those of us attending to get the most up to date information from the premier sources in the field.”
Purandar Mallya, MD
Psychiatry
“I have been practicing psychiatry for 42 years. During the last 15 years. I have been dealing with elderly patients, and it is astounding to see how frequently their pain is ignored by all professionals, including doctors. The so-called normal elderly do not get much attention at all, and even among those that I treat (now in their 60s and 70s, and mentally ill for a long time, most have no recourse to pain specialists or knowledgeable general practitioners. Even if they get seen for pain by my referral, their pain is not addressed because sickness and pain are considered to be a part of aging!!! I end up having to prescribe some medications (not scheduled narcotics) and this is one of the main reasons I have been attending pain conferences for the past 4 years; they help me to keep up with recent advances in pain management.
I am not sure how we can change the attitude of clinical professionals in this area. In part, it is due to inadequate funding. And although pain management CME is required by my California licensing board, I have not seen much positive change. Perhaps more public awareness may help; others may have additional other suggestions?”
PAINWeek is more than the nation's most comprehensive pain management conference. It's also an interactive community of frontline practitioners from all medical specialties.
Our attendees have many reasons for participating in this essential experience. What's your motivation for being at PAINWeek? Share your journey, your experiences, and your goals. Your profile will be posted on www.painweek.org
Share your profile–for a chance to receive one of five complimentary registrations* to PAINWeek!
*Please note, to submit a profile, you must currently be registered to attend PAINWeek®2012 or have previously attended a PAINWeek conference. If you are not registered, click here.
Share as much or as little as you want. View other profiles. Read about other experiences.
How to Submit
Send an e-mail to profile@painweek.org with the following:
- Full Name (only your first name and last initial will be viewable online)
- Location (either your city/state or your organization)
- Occupation
- A description of your motivation to attend PAINWeek
- Photo (optional)
- E-mail (used only to contact you; your e-mail address will not be viewable online)
By making this submission, you agree to allow PAINWeek to use your likeness, description, and other information in promotional material including on our Web site. Submissions should be professional in nature. PAINWeek reserves the right to abridge or edit contributions for space, appropriateness, or decline a submission. Personally identifiable information such as e-mail address, phone numbers, etc., should not be included.
