Friends Research Institute via Dr. Frank Vocci was recently involved in the development of case-based activity regarding opioid therapy in primary care and chronic pain. Below are descriptions of the activities.

Description of Internet Activity
A Case-Based Approach to the Safe and Effective Use of Opioid Therapy in Primary Care

This CME/CE case activity was developed by Paul Arnstein, RN, PhD, FNP-C, Bill McCarberg, MD, and Mary Lynn McPherson, PharmD and focuses on issues relating to the prescription of opioid analgesics for the management of chronic pain. This activity was designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists who treat pain and chronic pain patients by providing several unique primary care perspectives. This case-based activity was developed in collaboration with the American Pain Foundation, Friends Research Institute, and in consultation with the NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Description of Supplement Activity
Protect Your Patients, Protect Your Practice: Practical Risk Assessment in the Structuring of Opioid Therapy in Chronic Pain

The faculty authors of this CME/CE supplement, Perry G. Fine, MD and Russell K. Portenoy, MD, discuss not only how to assess abuse risk in chronic pain patients being considered for opioid therapy, but also how to position opioid therapy in the overall management of chronic pain. This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists who treat pain and chronic pain patients. This activity was developed in collaboration with the American Pain Foundation, Friends Research Institute, and in consultation with the NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse.

 

FRI is pleased to announce that Steven B. Carswell, Ph.D., Research Scientist/Vice President, has received an award from the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Loan Repayment Program (LRP). Dr. Carswell’s LRP award is funded through the NIH’s National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) and focuses on health disparities research. The purpose of the Health Disparities Research LRP is to recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals to research careers that focus on minority health or other health disparity issues.

This is the second time that Dr. Carswell has received this award. In exchange for a two-year commitment to a research career with FRI, NIH will repay up to $35,000 per year of Dr. Carswell’s qualified repayable educational debt, pay an additional 39% of the repayments to cover his Federal taxes, and may reimburse state taxes that result from these payments. To qualify for the LRP, the candidate must be a U.S. citizen and have a doctoral degree from an accredited institution. In addition, s/he must conduct health disparities research funded by a domestic nonprofit or U.S. Government entity.

In evaluating the applications, peer review groups comprised of non-NIH scientists are asked to consider the following criteria:

• Appropriateness of the applicant’s previous training and experience as preparation for a career in health disparities research;
• Suitability of the applicant’s proposed research activities in the two-year period to foster a career in health disparities research;
• Assessment of the applicant’s commitment to a research career as reflected by a personal statement of long-term career goals and the plan outlined to achieve those goals;
• Strength of recommendations attesting to the applicant’s potential for a health disparities research career;
• Availability of appropriate scientific colleagues to achieve and/or enhance the applicant’s research independence;and
• Quality and appropriateness of institutional resources and facilities.

FRI would like to congratulate Dr. Carswell for receiving this award a second time. Not only is this a great honor for him but this award will help him continue to pay off loans accumulated during his doctoral education.

FRI is pleased to announce the appointment of Wallace B. Pickworth, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors. Dr. Pickworth is a pharmacologist with over 30 years of preclinical and clinical experience. He has served as the Principal Investigator/Senior Project Director on various projects for the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the private pharmaceutical industry and as a Co-Investigator on extramural grants for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

He is currently a Research Leader and Substance Abuse Pharmacologist at Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation. Dr. Pickworth also worked at the National Institute on Drug Abuse for over 30 years and has vast experience in the field of substance abuse.

Dr. Pickworth brings exceptional experience to FRI’s Board of Directors and will prove to be a tremendous asset to the organization. We look forward to many years of service.

FRI is pleased to announce that Jeannette Johnson, Ph.D., and Jan Gryczynski, M.A., were co-editors on a recently published book entitled “Ethnocultural Perspectives on Disaster and Trauma: Foundations, Issues, and Applications.” Beyond their significant contributions to this volume as co-editors, they also contributed to this work by co-authoring two chapters. This unique volume provides important information regarding major minority groups in the United States in order to improve disaster relief efforts, practices, and policies. FRI congratulates Dr. Johnson and Mr. Gryczynski for this important contribution to the literature.

Eligible nominees for the Daniel Mendelsohn New Investigator Award are new investigators who show future promise, evidenced by energy and enthusiasm in research that addresses prevention, treatment or education activities, and have demonstrated scholarly research potential compatible with the mission of FRI.

Michael S. Gordon, D.P.A., Research Scientist, who began his career at FRI in 1999, was nominated for this award by Timothy W. Kinlock, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist. It was said that, “Dr, Gordon is in the top 1% with regard to professional accomplishments” and also, “[He] is well on course to become a highly successful investigator.” Thus, it was with great pleasure that FRI awarded Dr. Gordon with the 2008 Daniel Mendelsohn New Investigator Award.

Eligible nominees for the Mentoring Award are Principal Investigators associated with FRI who encourage, enhance, and teach scientists who are new to the field. The mentor assumes the role of a trusted friend and advisor to the new research.

Robert P. Schwartz, M.D., Medical Director/Senior Research Scientist, who began his career at FRI in 2000, was nominated for this award by Shannon Mitchell, Ph.D., Research Scientist; Diana Caldwell, Ph.D., Research Scientist; and Sharon Kelly, Ph.D., Research Scientist. It was said that, “The mentorship process represents a relationship and Dr. Schwartz’s exuberant personality and professional generosity have made that relationship both productive and immensely enjoyable.” Thus, it was with great pleasure that FRI awarded Dr. Schwartz with the 2008 Mentoring Award.

Eligible nominees for the Friend of Friends Award are individuals (who may or may not be employees) whose outstanding work has improved the lives of people spiritually, mentally, and physically, and reflect the mission of FRI, or whose work on behalf of FRI supports FRI in the fulfillment of its mission.

Jerome H. Jaffe, M.D., Senior Research Scientist, who became affiliated with FRI in 2001, was nominated for this award by Dr. Robert Schwartz, Medical Director/Senior Research Scientist. Dr. Schwartz nominated Dr. Jaffe based on “…his lifetime achievements and considerable impact on the field of drug addiction treatment” and said that “…it had been an honor to work beside him.” Dr. Schwartz also stated that “At Friends, Dr. Jaffe has generously provided his encyclopedic knowledge, insight and creativity to our researchers.” Thus, it was with great pleasure that FRI awarded Dr. Jaffe with the 2008 Friend of Friends Award.

Eligible nominees for the FRI Employee Service Award are FRI employees who have had many years of service with FRI, exhibit outstanding work performance as well as dedication and loyalty to FRI, and demonstrate a strong work ethic.

Ms. Carolyn G. Roeth, who began her career at FRI in 1996, was nominated for the FRI Employee Service Award by Manette Mapa, M.S., Clinical Coordinator. It was said that, “With her exceptional work ethic, competence, and professional conduct, Carolyn has provided indispensable support in keeping the front office running smoothly.” Thus, it was with great pleasure that FRI awarded Ms. Carolyn Roeth with the 2008 Employee Service Award.