Advancing Practice Across the Military and VA Health Systems
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
1-6:30 pm MT
Join us for a Special Symposium, "Advancing Practice Across the Military and VA Health Systems" on Wednesday, April 15, in Phoenix, AZ, where the director of the Defense Health Agency and other VA anesthesia and pain management specialty leaders will present.
Registration to this event is free to all who are registered for the 51st Annual Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting.
Registration will be from 12:00-1:00pm in the Phoenix C Foyer, or preregister to ensure your spot!
Program
* Faculty and sessions subject to change.
| Time | Session | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 pm – 1:10 pm | Introduction | Dr. Timothy Dawson & CAPT Harold Gelfand |
| 1:10 pm – 1:35 pm | Defense Health Agency Director's Address | VADM Darin Via |
| 1:35 pm – 2:00 pm | Changing Landscape and the Future of Pain Management in the VHA | Dr. Friedhelm Sandbrink |
| 2:00 pm – 2:25 pm | Future TCCC/PCC Analgesic Options and Implications for General US Healthcare | Dr. Travis Deaton |
| 2:25 pm – 2:35 pm | Break | |
| 2:35 pm – 3:00 pm | Buprenorphine Implementation in Acute Pain Management | Dr. Thomas Hickey |
| 3:00 pm – 3:25 pm | Analgesia that Promotes Function and Recovery | Dr. Brian Williams |
| 3:25 pm – 3:55 pm | Point-Counterpoint: Fascial and Planar Blocks Cutting Edge or Latest Fad? | Dr. Lauren Mahyar- Pro Dr. Justin Cordova- Con |
| 3:55 pm – 4:05 pm | Break | |
| 4:05 pm – 4:30 pm | Regional Anesthetics in the Pre-Hospital Environment | Dr. Sandeep Dhanjal |
| 4:30 pm – 4:55 pm | VA APS/Transitional Pain Initiative | Dr. Timothy Dawson |
| 4:55 pm – 5:20 pm | TENT - Lessons Learned for a Virtual Transitional Pain Program | Dr. Elias Veizi |
| 5:20 pm – 5:30 pm | Break | |
| 5:30 pm – 5:50 pm | Ukrainian Experience: Point of Injury Acute Pain Management | Dr. Mykola Demianiuk |
| 5:50 pm – 6:20 pm | Ukrainian Experience: Development of an Expeditionary Acute Pain Service | L Col Ramzy Abdel-Galil Lt Col Alex Kumar |
| 6:20 pm – 6:30 pm | Ukrainian Experience: Panel Discussion |