Cite as: Provenzano D. President's message: ASRA Pain Medicine, the gold standard in guidelines and education. ASRA Pain Medicine News 2025;50. https://doi.org/10.52211/asra020125.001.

President’s Message

To date, the past two years have been among the most rewarding highlights of my career. It has been an honor to lead and serve ASRA Pain Medicine as its 32nd President. ASRA Pain Medicine has been a significant part of my life for over two decades. As I prepare to transition from the presidency, I reflect on the many friends and colleagues I have met through ASRA Pain Medicine. In 2014, I chaired the 13th Annual Pain Medicine meeting for Dr. Joseph Neal. (Photo 1) The week of the fall meeting, my father entered hospice due to terminal cancer and passed away a week later. Despite these circumstances, he urged me to attend. He understood the significance of the society and the opportunity for my career and life. 

The next year, I joined the ASRA Pain Medicine Board, and I have shared countless great memories with so many. (Photos 2–6) Additionally, the contributions of committee members and volunteer leaders have been exceptional. I have been fortunate to have the support of a dedicated board over the last two years, characterized by their thoughtfulness, support, energy, and engagement.

The Research and Abstract committees, led by Drs. Gina Votta-Velis (2023-2025) and Rebecca Johnson (2023-2025), reviewed almost 1,000 abstracts in 2024. The CME committee, led by Drs. Stuart Grant (2023-2025), Samer Narouze (2024-2025), and Maxim Eckmann (2023-2024), reviewed and provided feedback on four extraordinary annual meeting programs and seven courses and initiated the development of the new learning management system (LMS). 

The Practice Management Committee, led by Drs. Kevin Vorenkamp (2023-2025) and Sandra Kopp (2023-2025), reviewed countless comment letters, reports, and resolutions to fight for proper policy, access, and reimbursement. The Guidelines and Regulatory Advocacy Committee, led by Drs. Carlos Pino (2023-2025), Rakesh Sondekoppam (2024-2025), and Eric Schwenk (2023-2024), reviewed more than six guidelines for publication and five new guideline proposals.

The Resident and Fellow Committee, under the leadership of Drs. Siyun “Sisi” Xie (2023-2024), Anishinder Parkash (2023-2025), and Crystal Joseph (2024-2025), launched the Journey Through Fellowship video series, 12 Problem-Based Learning Discussions (PBLDs), a Trainee Quiz Bowl at the annual meetings, and a new alumni networking initiative. 

As the landscape of pain medicine began to shift, a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) working group was developed under the direction of Dr. Lynn Kohan (2023-2025) to engage and welcome our PM&R colleagues. This working group created PM&R quality improvement templates and a resource of Key Points in Contract Negotiations, good for any new physician regardless of specialty. This group grew PM&R membership by 100%. 

In addition, Dr. Christine Hunt, a physiatrist, was elected to the ASRA Pain Medicine Board, marking a milestone as the first non-anesthesiologist to serve on the board. Together, all committees contributed to a Success Kit for Fellows, reinforcing our commitment to educating the next generation.

I am profoundly grateful for our meeting chair leadership. Each had their own success or milestone to celebrate. Dr. Alexios Carayannopoulos, chair of the 22nd Pain Medicine meeting, led the first ASRA Pain Medicine Fellows Course and Medical Education Master Class. Dr. Ki Jinn Chin, chair of the 49th Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine meeting, welcomed most learners to a post-COVID meeting. Dr. Christine Hunt, chair of the 23rd Annual Pain Medicine meeting, received the most abstracts submitted for any pain medicine meeting. Finally, Dr. Vishal Uppal organized the 50th Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine meeting that engaged past presidents and sister society leaders while celebrating the foundation of ASRA Pain Medicine - education. (Photos 7-9) In addition, I cannot be more thankful for the strong leadership of Elizabeth Smith. She is an amazing individual and very talented. ASRA Pain Medicine is lucky to have her, and I will miss my weekly Wednesday night calls with her.

Over the past two years, ASRA Pain Medicine has made substantial progress in advancing its three pillars: Education, Advocacy, and Research. Before commencing my presidency, we established goals and objectives that I am pleased to report have been achieved.

Furthermore, we continue to strengthen our relationships with our sister societies. Over the past two years, there have been collaborations on webinars, guidelines, and annual meeting sessions. In January 2024, the European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy led the first World Day of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. The success of this initiative has continued year after year, and we look forward to participating in 2026. Also, in 2024, Dr. Vivian Ip saw the importance of these global partnerships and launched the PLBD Collaborative Series in ASRA Pain Medicine News. Over the past several years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know these societies and their leaders. (Photo 11)

This is a significant time for ASRA Pain Medicine as we just celebrated our 50th Annual Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine meeting. It was exciting to see all the members, sister society leaders, and hear from previous leaders. This 50th anniversary video debuted at the meeting and honors the legacy of ASRA Pain Medicine and all that we’ve accomplished.

As I reflect on my plans as I step down from my role, I plan to stay productive and healthy for many more years. I will continue to use all the clinical tools from ASRA Pain Medicine to provide high-quality care and advocate through ASRA Pain Medicine’s AMA and Pain Medicine Coalition efforts to bring medicine back to more stable ground. This transition period reminds me of when I graduated from high school and prepared for college at Colgate University. Around that time, Van Halen, with Sammy Hagar as lead singer, released their 9th album featuring hits like "Right Now" and "Top of the World." "The Dream Is Over" is a lesser-known song with lyrics that inspire reflection and taking control of one's destiny. One of my favorite lines is, "Dream another dream. This dream is over."

Serving ASRA Pain Medicine for the past 20 years has been an honor. As I move forward, I will continue to reflect on this experience while pursuing new goals and dreams. Similarly, ASRA Pain Medicine is undergoing a transition but remains firmly grounded. The needs and desires of people in any society will evolve during the next 50 years, which we are currently witnessing. The expectations of societies and the field of pain medicine are changing as evidenced by the transformation in medicine over the past 50 years. We have developed a comprehensive plan and have a pipeline of extraordinary future leaders, including Steven Cohen, MD, Sandy Koop, MD, and Stuart Grant, MD.

Additionally, our home office is excellently led by Elizabeth Smith. ASRA Pain Medicine will continue to aim high and be, as Sammy Hagar says, “standing on top of the world” (ie, triumph, resilience, and living life to the fullest) in the field of pain medicine. I look forward to seeing all the achievements and accomplishments of the society. I will be proud to have contributed to its remarkable history and feel satisfied that my efforts were well-invested. Thank you for letting me live a dream!