Cite as: Meng H. Interview with the 2025 Distinguished Service Award Recipient: Dr. Antoun Nader. ASRA Pain Medicine News 2025;50. https://doi.org/10.52211/asra110125.008.

Howard Meng: What inspired you to pursue a specialty practice in pain medicine?

Antoun Nader: I began my anesthesiology training at the American University of Beirut, where I was deeply influenced by the pioneering contributions of ASRA Pain Medicine’s founders, particularly Drs. Alon P. Winnie, Prithvi Raj, and Somayaji Ramamurthy. Their groundbreaking work in regional anesthesia and pain medicine left an indelible mark on the specialty, and their vision served as a source of inspiration that helped define the trajectory of my career. From my earliest days as a trainee, I was captivated by their ability to transform both patient outcomes and the practice of regional anesthesiology through innovation, perseverance, and academic rigor.

HM: What motivated your move from Lebanon to the United States for your medical training and career?

AN: In 1993, I had the opportunity to visit Cook County Hospital where Dr. Winnie was serving as chair of anesthesiology. That visit proved to be a turning point in my career. I was deeply impressed by the sheer number and diversity of surgical cases—including complex vascular, urologic, and orthopedic procedures—performed safely and effectively under regional anesthesia. The excellent outcomes I observed challenged my assumptions about the scope and potential of regional techniques. The experience was profoundly formative and inspired me to pursue advanced training in the United States where I could further develop expertise in this area and contribute to its ongoing advancement.

HM: What does it mean to you to be involved with ASRA Pain Medicine since 1997?

AN: As a resident, I became an active member of ASRA Pain Medicine, and during my second year of training, I applied for and was awarded my first research grant. This funding supported my fellowship in pain medicine at Cook County Hospital, providing me with the resources to deepen both my clinical skills and my academic pursuits. During this period, I also had the privilege of meeting many of ASRA Pain Medicine’s founders in person at national meetings. These encounters were not only inspiring but also reaffirmed my decision to devote my career to academic medicine, with a focus on regional anesthesia and pain management.

Throughout my residency and fellowship, I had an extensive hands-on experience across a wide range of clinical scenarios. My training also exposed me to advanced and highly specialized interventions, including neurolytic spinal and craniofacial procedures for chronic and cancer pain. These formative experiences shaped my clinical foundation, strengthened my technical expertise, and instilled in me a lasting passion for advancing patient care through innovative and evidence-based approaches.

The most up-to-date knowledge I have acquired has come through active participation in national and local meetings where I have had the opportunity to engage with colleagues and leaders in our society on the latest developments and publications

HM: How has your involvement with ASRA Pain Medicine enriched your career?

AN: Throughout my career, I have remained deeply committed to ASRA Pain Medicine’s mission of education, mentorship, and professional growth. One of the most rewarding aspects of my professional journey has been the opportunity to mentor younger colleagues, guiding them through their early careers and supporting their development as clinicians, educators, and researchers. Watching them embrace ASRA Pain Medicine’s vision and continue to shape the future of regional anesthesia and pain medicine has been a source of great pride and fulfillment.

HM: As a professor at Feinberg School of Medicine, how do you balance clinical duties with your teaching and research roles?

AN: At the Feinberg School of Medicine, with the unwavering support of the department of anesthesiology, we successfully established an outstanding, well-structured pain service. This program was comprehensively supported by clinical research initiatives and integrated care pathways, ensuring that our patients benefited from both cutting-edge science and a systematic, multidisciplinary approach to pain management. Much of the success of this effort was due to the exceptional mentors and collaborators with whom I had the privilege of working. Their dedication to advancing original scholarship in anesthesia, acute pain, and chronic pain created an environment of academic rigor and innovation. Equally important was the support of our surgical colleagues, whose trust we earned through consistency, collaboration, and a shared commitment to patient safety. In my view, the trust of surgeons is fundamental; it not only facilitates safe patient care but also provides the foundation upon which academic research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinical innovation can thrive.

HM: What has been the most defining moment in your career up to this point?

AN: A defining moment in my career was the transition from Cook County Hospital to Northwestern University, where I joined a dedicated group of colleagues in establishing a formal regional anesthesia service, which later expanded into a comprehensive acute pain service. This endeavor was not only a significant institutional development but also a pivotal point in my own professional growth. The creation of these services enabled us to integrate regional anesthesia more systematically into perioperative care, enhance patient safety through structured protocols, and establish a consistent framework for resident and fellow education. Over time, this collaborative effort culminated in the development of innovative, ultrasound-based pathways for managing peripheral neuropathies and craniofacial pain. These advancements represented a significant step forward in translating emerging technologies into routine clinical practice. They also provided new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, clinical research, and academic dissemination, helping to establish Northwestern as a leader in regional anesthesia and pain medicine. Looking back, this period was transformative as it underscored the power of teamwork, the importance of innovation, and the enduring impact of building programs that advance both patient care and academic scholarship.

HM: You have been involved with planning and instructing numerous workshops. What are the quintessential characteristics of a good teacher? As a workshop presenter, how do you keep the content interesting and engaging for attendees year after year?

AN: Beginning in 2005, with the strong backing of ASRA Pain Medicine leadership and in close collaboration with many of its leading members, I helped to establish regional anesthesia workshops designed to provide high-quality, hands-on training. These programs emphasized a structured, evidence-based approach to regional techniques while incorporating new advances that were scientifically and anatomically sound. Over time, the workshops expanded in scope to include chronic pain interventions, thereby broadening their impact and offering educational opportunities not only for residents and fellows but also for faculty and practicing clinicians.

As organizers and faculty of these workshops, our foremost objective has always been to deliver education in a structured and methodical way, ensuring that procedures are taught with clarity and precision. At the same time, we strive to integrate innovations that are both scientifically validated and anatomically meaningful. This balance not only enhances the educational value of the sessions but also sustains the engagement and curiosity of the participants. Each workshop concludes with the systematic collection of structured feedback, which is carefully reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching methods and to identify areas of interest for future programs. Over the years, the ASRA Pain Medicine Education Committee has played an important advisory role to the workshop leaders. A central focus of our educational mission is the teaching of procedures that are simple, safe, and firmly grounded in evidence-based medicine. To achieve this, we rely on the expertise of distinguished leaders in the field, who provide live demonstrations and detailed instruction supported by motivated associate faculty who actively engage with participants, answer questions, and foster an environment of interactive, collaborative learning.

HM: What are some of the most significant advancements in pain management you’ve witnessed during your 30+ year career? Are there innovations or new treatments in pain medicine you are especially excited about?

AN: Among the many developments in regional anesthesia during my career, the most transformative has undoubtedly been the widespread adoption of ultrasound guidance for nerve blocks. The introduction of ultrasound into clinical practice has revolutionized the field by significantly enhancing procedural safety and accuracy. The ability to directly visualize vascular and neural structures provides anesthesiologists with a powerful tool to improve both the precision and the outcomes of their interventions, despite the inherent limitations of imaging depth. Beyond its use in regional anesthesia, ongoing interdisciplinary collaborations are increasingly highlighting the importance of incorporating ultrasound guidance into chronic pain interventions. This is particularly relevant for procedures involving the upper cervical spine and craniofacial regions, where accurate needle placement is paramount. The growing integration of ultrasound in these contexts holds tremendous potential to enhance efficacy, minimize complications, and improve the overall safety profile of pain management techniques.

Looking back, I remain profoundly grateful for the opportunities I have had to learn from pioneers in the field, contribute to the education of the next generation, and help expand the frontiers of regional anesthesia and pain medicine. My journey has been shaped by extraordinary mentors, collaborative colleagues, and the privilege of working within organizations such as ASRA Pain Medicine that are dedicated to advancing patient care through science, education, and innovation. As I look ahead, my commitment to this mission remains as strong as ever, with a continued focus on mentorship, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence in clinical care, research, and education.

HM: How do you stay up to date with evolving research and techniques in pain medicine?

AN: The most up-to-date knowledge I have acquired has come through active participation in national and local meetings where I have had the opportunity to engage with colleagues and leaders in our society on the latest developments and publications. Workshops, in particular, have been especially valuable, as the concluding sessions often include open discussions that allow faculty to critically examine the advantages and limitations of various procedural approaches as well as recently published studies. I regard ongoing engagement within the society as essential for maintaining currency in our rapidly evolving field.

HM: What advice would you give to young physicians considering a subspecialty in pain medicine?

AN: To younger faculty, my advice is to participate actively in scholarly activities—whether through contributing to key publications, authoring review articles, or delivering presentations—as such involvement provides continuous professional development, strengthens academic contribution, and fosters lifelong learning.

HM: You have numerous followers and mentees. How do you provide mentorship and foster growth?

AN: Throughout my academic career, I have been deeply engaged in the training and mentorship of numerous residents and fellows, with a particular focus on regional anesthesia and chronic pain medicine. My involvement has encompassed not only hands-on procedural instruction but also guidance in clinical decision-making, research, and professional development. I have actively mentored trainees in the preparation and authorship of numerous publications, including original research articles, review papers, and case reports, fostering both their academic skills and their contributions to the scientific community. I have maintained enduring professional relationships with many of my former trainees, who are now colleagues within our institution or leaders in other academic and clinical settings. These relationships demonstrate a continued commitment to mentorship and underscore the importance of cultivating a supportive and collaborative environment that enables trainees to thrive. Witnessing their professional accomplishments and ongoing contributions to the field has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career, reinforcing my dedication to cultivating the next generation of leaders in regional anesthesia and pain medicine.

HM: Beyond medicine, are there personal interests or experiences that have shaped your career philosophy?

AN: Outside of medicine, I am an enthusiastic cyclist. Residing just seven miles from the Northwestern campus enables me to commute regularly by bike, an activity I greatly enjoy. I also enjoy cycling while traveling as it allows me to explore new environments and maintain an active lifestyle. Additionally, attending national and international meetings offers valuable opportunities to engage with colleagues in informal settings, such as shared meals at distinctive venues. These interactions enhance professional communication, foster meaningful relationships, and contribute to the collaborative spirit that underpins our field of work.