U.S. Pain team members traveled across the country this month to provide the patient perspective on pediatric pain management, back pain research, and successful models of integrated care.

Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine

Joined by pediatric pain warrior Mary Young and Mary’s mom, Johanna, Casey Cashman, Director of the Pediatric Pain Warrior Program, attended the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine Annual Conference Feb. 26-28 in the Bahamas. U.S. Pain hosted a reception on the first night in order to better connect with pediatric pain clinicians in attendance, and held an information table to distribute information and resources. Mary and Johanna also provided the patient perspective on a panel, “The Child with Ehlers-Danlos.”

Orthopedic Research Society Spine Section

Emily Lemiska, Director of Communications, spoke on a panel, “Overcoming Obstacles to Clinical Translation of Novel Therapies for Low Back Pain Patients” at the Orthopedic Research Society Spine Section Annual Meeting on Feb. 8 in Phoenix, AZ. Lemiska spoke to researchers about challenges for patients enrolling in studies (e.g. lack of awareness, accessibility issues) and the difficulties of accurately reporting and assessing the complexities of chronic pain.

Duke-Margolis Health Policy Center

Cindy Steinberg, National Director of Policy and Advocacy, participated in a roundtable, “Implementing Integrated Pain Management: Lessons from North Carolina Health Systems and Beyond” at the Duke-Margolis Health Policy Center, Feb. 5 in Durham, NC. The goals of the meeting were to identify common components of successful integrative pain management programs, and to discuss challenges with implementing and expanding those models. Attendees included representatives from Duke University School of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, the Veterans Health Administration, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the Alliance to Advance Comprehensive Integrative Pain Management, AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina, North Carolina Medical Society Foundation, and others.

American Academy of Pain Medicine

Nicole Hemmenway, interim CEO, and Lori Monarca, executive office manager and director of Ambassador Program, attended the American Academy of Pain Medicine 36th Annual Meeting in National Harbor, MD, Feb. 26 to March 1. U.S. Pain hosted a booth to distribute materials and connect with pain providers.