The American Academy of Pain Medicine announced today that its Immediate Past President Sean Mackey, MD, PhD, was awarded the highly prestigious National Institutes of Health Director's Award in recognition of his leadership role on the National Pain Strategy.
Dr. Mackey is Chief of Stanford's Division of Pain Medicine and Redlich Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Neurosciences and Neurology, and currently serves as co-chair of the Oversight Panel for the NIH/Health and Human Services National Pain Strategy, an effort to establish a national health strategy for pain care, education and research.
The NIH Director's Award recognizes superior performance and leadership that has
promoted the advancement, understanding or application of scientific principles directly related to or fulfilling the mission of the National Institutes of Health.
"I am tremendously honored to accept this award on behalf of the 80 experts who came together with the mission to improve the well-being of those living with pain," Mackey said. "This award represents a win for the millions of people who suffer or will suffer from acute, chronic or disease-related pain."
Another esteemed leader and former Board Member of the Academy was also awarded the NIH Director's Award for his contributions to pain care in the DoD. Dr. Chester "Trip" Buckenmaier III, COL (ret), USA, director of Uniformed Services University's Defense and Veterans Center for Integrative Pain Management (DVCIPM) was recognized by the NIH Director for his contributions to pain management.
Dr. Buckenmaier was cited as having been "Instrumental in addressing the nation's serious problem of pain … and its associated complications from conventional approaches," said Dr. Eric B. Schoomaker, LTG (ret), USA, vice chair for Centers and Programs in the Department of Military and Emergency Medicine at USU. "The Tri-Service and VA partnerships he has helped build are making a difference."
The American Academy of Pain Medicine's President Bill H. McCarberg, MD said, "These distinguished physicians and their dedication to using their medical expertise and compassion to help people who suffer with pain is at the core of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. As we head into our Annual Meeting in February, Drs. Mackey and Buckenmaier, and a host of other dedicated physicians, scientists and clinicians will share the most current advancements in pain science, treatment and management."
Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut