Meet the Faculty

Sheri Albers, DO

CALSIPP Director-at-Large
ASIPP Past President
Director of Research, Radiology
Research and Consultation
Sacramento, CA

Ripu Arora, MD, MBA

CALSIPP Treasurer, Director Emeritus
Dr. Arora is board certified in Anesthesiology and sub-specialty of Pain Management American Board of Anesthesiology and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management with eight years of experience in Orthopedic and Surgical training and practice. In addition to providing chronic and acute pain management services in the South Bay for 25 years, Dr. Arora is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Touro University in Vallejo, California. He believes in a multidisciplinary approach to difficult chronic pain problems which include anti-inflammatory drug therapy, physical therapy, psychotherapy and nerve blocks, etc. Dr. Arora also does invasive pain management procedures which include Dorsal Column spinal stimulator, intrathecal infusion pumps for cancer pain and other difficult pain problems and radiofrequency thermocoagulation and neurolysis. He also offers FDA-compliant regenerative medicine to patients when appropriate.

Anna Maria Bombardieri, MD, PhD, MSc

Anna Maria Bombardieri, MD, PhD, MSc is an Anesthesiologist specializing in Regional Anesthesiology.
She completed her residency training and PhD at the University of Florence.
She completed a fellowship in Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and a Critical Care Medicine fellowship at Université Libre de Bruxelles, in Belgium.
She was a faculty in the Department of Anesthesiology at the Universitè Sophia Antipolis in Nice, France, and at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis before joining the Department of Anesthesiology at Stanford.

Joe Cabaret, MD

CALSIPP Vice President
Dr. Joseph Cabaret, MD is Board Certified in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Addiction Medicine, a consultant and speaker for the pharmaceutical industry and ABIPP Diplomat. Dr. Cabaret practices Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine in Camarillo, California.

Ian Carroll, MD, MS

Dr. Carroll graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia University, and then graduated with an M.D. from Columbia University. He was a Research Fellow at the Experimental Immunology Branch at the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda Maryland. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine, residency in Anesthesiology, fellowship in Pain Medicine, and was elected Chief Resident of Anesthesiology from 2001-2002 at Stanford University Medical Center. He joined Stanford’s Department of Anesthesiology as a primary teaching and research faculty in the Pain Management clinic in 2004.
Dr. Carroll completed Stanford’s two-year Clinical Research training program earning a M.S. degree in clinical epidemiology from Stanford in 2006. He has published over 50 original articles including research funded by the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER); the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA); and the Stanford Institute for Neuro-Innovation & Translational Neurosciences (SINTN).
In 2015 Dr. Carroll collaborated With Stanford’s Neuroradiology and Neurology Headache divisions to create the Stanford CSF Leak Headache Program after his daughter suffered through an initially-undiagnosed CSF leak. This experience left him with a passion for helping patients experiencing CSF leaks around the world. He is board-certified in four different specialties: Headache Medicine by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties; Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Addiction Medicine; Pain Medicine by the American Board of Anesthesiology; and Anesthesiology by the American Board of Anesthesiology. His primary focus is on spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. He has spoken at numerous national meetings on CSF leaks, management of the pain from nerve injuries, and factors influencing opioid cessation. He has conducted visiting professorships at Johns Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University, Yale University, University of California at Davis Medical Center, and others.
In addition to his clinical and research responsibilities, Dr. Carroll helps select and train Stanford Anesthesia residents, Pain Management Fellows and Neurology Headache Fellows.

Terin Champion

Terin Champion: VP RCM and Technology
As a seasoned VP RCM and Technology, I bring 19 years of invaluable experience in healthcare systems and IT operations to the table. As Sr. Manager of Systems Integration at Pain Doctor, I’ve adeptly overseen the management and maintenance of a plethora of systems, including EHRs, Practice Management Software, LIS, and PACS. My strategic vision and budget planning have consistently facilitated operational growth, and I’ve successfully negotiated contracts with IT vendors, resulting in an impressive $144k annual savings. With a strong background in project management, and a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering (magna cum laude), I have a proven track record of implementing cost-saving strategies and driving technical advancements.
In my role as a Business Intelligence Analyst and Software Developer at Pain Doctor, I demonstrated my analytical prowess by developing executive dashboards and providing insightful data-driven recommendations to decision-makers. As Billing Director, I managed a team of 30+ billers, successfully setting up billing for practice acquisitions and new group practices across multiple states. My commitment to healthcare billing compliance is underscored by a notable reduction in the over 120+ AR percentage from 56% to 21% without additional staffing or adjustment projects. Currently serving as a SQL Developer, I bring a wealth of technical expertise, specializing in T-SQL, C#, .NET, SQL Server, SSRS, and SSIS. My passion for leveraging data analytics to ensure compliance aligns seamlessly with the objectives of a VP RCM and Technology role.

Jason Cohen, MD

Jason Cohen, M.D. was born in Los Angeles, CA and graduated with a B.S. in Biology from the University of California Santa Barbara. He obtained his medical degree at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. After medical school, he did two years of surgical training at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Cohen completed his residency in anesthesiology and critical care at the University of Pennsylvania and his fellowship training in pain management at the University of California Los Angeles.
While in training, Dr. Cohen has been heavily involved in research pertaining to spine care and pain management. He has contributed to numerous book chapters, published in academic journals and presented work at national conferences. His clinical interests include interventional pain management, peripheral nerve stimulation and neuromodulation.
Dr. Cohen is board certified in both anesthesia and interventional pain management. He is fluent in English and Farsi. In his free time, he likes to run, play basketball and spend time with his wife and children.

David Copenhaver, MD, MPH

Dr. Copenhaver is an anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist with unique expertise in diagnosing and managing complex pain management problems of various types. Dr. Copenhaver has expertise in cancer pain management, craniofacial pain and complex regional pain syndrome. Dr. Copenhaver’s practice utilizes numerous techniques, including but not limited to, the implantation of neuromodulatory devices and direct delivery of medications to the central nervous system via intrathecal delivery platforms.
Dr. Copenhaver has research interests in health services administration, pain medicine education, responsible opioid therapy management, targeted drug delivery, cancer pain management, craniofacial pain and the applied use of stem cells in the setting of intervertebral disc disease.
Dr. Copenhaver completed his undergraduate degrees in Neuroscience, Physiology and Behavior at UC Davis. He subsequently went on to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA to complete his medical school education and a master’s degree in public health with an emphasis in Health Services Administration. Dr. Copenhaver completed his residency in Anesthesiology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and his pain medicine fellowship at the University of California at Davis.

Sukdeb Datta, MD

Dr. Sukdeb Datta is the Founder, CEO, and President of Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center. Under his leadership, the Center has grown to 9 locations serving the states of New York and New Jersey. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Anesthesiology and a Diplomat of the American Board of Pain Medicine with Subspecialty Certification in Pain Management. He is also certified as FIPP (Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice) and by the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians as a DABIPP (Diplomat, American Board of Interventional Pain Practice). He is an ASIPP lifetime member. Dr. Datta has served on the Board of Directors of ASIPP for two consecutive terms (2007-2011) and as Secretary of ASIPP from 2011-2013. Executive committee, ASIPP 2017-2021; Treasurer, ASIPP; Vice President, Strategic Affairs 2019-2021, ASIPP; Vice President, Strategic Alliance 2017-2019, ASIPP. He has been intimately involved in different activities of ASIPP such as publishing systematic reviews, being on the editorial board of the Pain Physician journal as well as performing as Faculty on the Cadaver Workshops for the past several years. Dr. Datta also strongly believes in the advocacy arm of ASIPP and has participated actively in the legislative sessions for the past several years. Board of Directors ABIPP; Board of Examiners, ABIPP; Economic and Finance Committee, ASIPP; 2011-Internet and Social Media Committee, ASIPP; 2011-Research Committee, ASIPP; 2014-Committee on Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Spine, ASIPP. He is a two-time winner (2012,2014) of ASIPP “Outstanding Achievement in Research” for work on Endoscopic discectomy and the New Techniques of performance of Cervical Epidural Injection. He was the Section Editor, of Endoscopic Spine, of Pain Physician Journal 2017-2022.

Eric Grigsby, MD, MBA

CALSIPP Director-at-Large
Dr. Eric Grigsby, MD, MBA is Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Neurovations. For over three decades, Dr. Grigsby has focused his clinical career on academia and private practice. Today, in addition to busy practices, surgery centers, education divisions and labs, Dr. Grigsby guides research and innovation at Neurovations.
Dr Grigsby has been seminally involved in the majority of the interventional devices and therapies used in the field of pain management. He guides start-ups and industry-leading companies through the innovation, discovery and clinical research process which includes access to sites for clinical investigation in pain and neurologic disease.
The Neurovations Education division holds world-class programs and ACCME accredited conferences in Pain and Neuroscience. Additionally, Neurovations Education helps companies and clinicians develop and learn surgical therapies. Dr. Grigsby’s non-profit foundation, HealthRoots, is committed to community health and innovation for underserved patients and communities.
Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Dr. Grigsby is a graduate of Brown University with an undergraduate degree in Biology and Economics. He completed medical school at Boston University School of Medicine and residency training in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He received his Master’s in Business Administration in Health Sector Management from Duke University.

Armen Haroutunian, MD

Armen Haroutunian, MD is a double-board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain management doctor, practicing his lifelong passion of treating complex pain syndromes.
In patient care, he believes in a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to treating pain, understanding that the mind-body connection serves an important purpose in physical and emotional development. Trained in leading-edge technology, he treats a variety of musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders by performing procedures including spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation, epidural injections, nerve blocks, facet blocks, radiofrequency ablations, PRP and stem cell injections. Dr. Haroutunian also has a special interest in treating a variety of peripheral nerve pain, postsurgical pain, chronic knee, shoulder, and foot pain, and complex regional pain syndrome.
Dr. Haroutunian is trilingual and fluent in English, Spanish, and Armenian.

Standiford Helm, MD

CALSIPP Treasurer, Director Emeritus
Dr. Helm has been practicing interventional pain management since 1982. Dr. Helm is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology with subspecialty certification in Pain Medicine and of the American Board of Pain Medicine. Dr. Helm is a Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP), the only certifying agency which tests the ability to perform interventional pain procedures. Dr. Helm is also an examiner for FIPP. Dr. Helm is the Interventional Pain Management representative on the Carrier Advisory Committee for Medicare in California.
Dr. Helm has published extensively on interventional pain management issues, has lectured internationally and taught pain management procedures.
Dr. Helm has been active in the effort, both on a State and a National basis, to ensure that patients have access to those pain procedures which have been proven effective and to medication. Dr. Helm has had the honor of working with FBI and DEA agents to assist them in discriminating between practitioners who are prescribing medications for a legitimate medical purpose and those who supplying medications used for abuse or diversion.

Manoj Jagtiani, DO

Dr. Manoj Jagtiani, originally from New York and New Jersey, is a highly skilled and compassionate pain management specialist. He graduated at the top of his class from medical school in New York and completed his Internal Medicine training at SUNY-Downstate/Kings County in Brooklyn. Dr. Jagtiani’s Anesthesiology training was completed at Tufts University in Boston, where he trained at elite institutions like the Harvard hospitals of Beth Israel Deaconess and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His specialized training in Interventional Pain Medicine was undertaken at Stanford University, the premier institution for advancements in chronic pain medicine.
He has conducted significant research, published in various academic journals, and developed innovative solutions such as the “Pill Popper Stopper” to aid in weaning off opiates and benzodiazepines.
In his practice, Dr. Jagtiani integrates psychology, fitness, and advanced pain techniques to offer comprehensive, holistic care. He is an active bodybuilder with over 20 years of experience and provides personalized consultations in medical fitness, nutrition, neuromuscular and osteopathic manipulative medicine, and endocrinological modalities in chronic pain.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Jagtiani mentors the next generation of pain physicians and participates in scholarly activities, including public lectures on Chronic Pain and Sleep, Neuromuscular Medicine, and Pain and Marijuana. He also holds a degree in psychology and is an instructor for Stanford’s EMPOWERED Relief program, exploring the integration of EMDR and Self-Hypnosis in chronic pain management.

Mollie Johnston, MD

Dr. Mollie Johnston is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology at UCLA specializing in headache and interventional pain management. She completed her medical training at the University of Minnesota, Neurology residency at UCLA, and advanced fellowships in headache, interventional pain, and orofacial pain. Dr. Johnston is recognized for her teaching excellence and groundbreaking research on cervical nerves in headache treatment. She is a double board-certified physician and an active contributor to clinical education and innovation in pain management. For more details, visit her UCLA profile.

Shelly Jordan, MD

CALSIPP Director-at-Large
Sheldon Jordan, MD, is a board certified neurologist. Considered a top doctor by Best Doctors in America, Who’s Who, Global Edition, and Super Doctors, his philosophy is to listen to patients’ individual stories and provide management and treatment solutions tailored specifically to their needs.
Dr. Jordon is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry Neurology, American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology, American Board of Addiction Medicine, and American Board of Interventional Pain Medicine. He was elected as Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and holds additional certifications from the American Society of Neuroimaging in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography and Ultrasonography.
In private practice in Westwood and Santa Monica since 1981, Dr. Jordon’s emphasis is on interventional pain management, neuroimaging, clinical neurophysiology and sports neurology. He has numerous publications based on the clinical experience and research in these areas. He research interests include Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for treatment of depression, pain and a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders. He is a member of the national consortium for developing guidelines for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. He has also served as a consultant for the State of California, Commission of Judicial Performance.
Dr. Jordan was a Goldwyn Scholar and graduated from UCLA Medical School in 1977 with the Upjohn Award for best student in combined research and academics and the Gold Medal in Surgery. He did his medical internship, residency and fellowships in clinical neurophysiology while staffing the electroencephalography laboratory and electromyography laboratory and completing all studies in 1981.

Barrett Larson, MD

Barrett Larson is a physician, researcher, and educator who is passionate about developing new technologies to improve patient care. Barrett did both medical school and residency training in anesthesiology at Stanford, where he is now a Clinical Assistant Professor. Beyond clinical practice, he leverages his medical training to help facilitate the development of innovative medical technologies. Barrett was the Co-Founder and CEO of Leaf Healthcare, which developed a wireless patient monitoring system designed to improve the activity and mobility of hospitalized patients. Leaf Healthcare was acquired by Smith+Nephew, where Barrett now serves as the Vice President of Clinical Education. Outside of industry work, Barrett partnered with Chris Rishel to develop WikiAnesthesia. By operating at the interface between clinical medicine, academics, and industry, Barrett is able to facilitate the rapid commercialization of innovative medical technologies.

Richard Latchaw, MD

Richard E. Latchaw, M.D., Professor of Radiology at UC Davis Medical Center since 2002, has been a practitioner of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology for the past 40 years.
Dr. Latchaw has been a leader in the development of Diagnostic Neuroradiology throughout his career. His particular interests have been in the diagnosis and therapy of vascular abnormalities of the head, neck, and spine. He has edited three textbooks and written over 400 papers, chapters and editorials. Dr. Latchaw has presented over 500 papers nationally and internationally.
He has performed all forms of image-guided procedures in the head, neck, and spine, including intracranial and extracranial angioplasty and stenting; ablation of aneurysms, vascular malformations, and fistulae; and recanalization of acutely occluded vessels. He is internationally known for his work in the diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke, including evaluation of cerebral perfusion.
Dr. Latchaw’s current research interests are the development of thrombectomy devices and catheter-based systems to treat brain tumors and the traumatized brain.

Michael Leong, MD

Michael S. Leong, MD, is a specialist in pain medicine with clinical foci in radiculopathy; spinal, abdominal, and cancer pain; postherpetic neuralgia; and workers compensation cases. He received his medical degree from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and completed his residency in anesthesiology at University of California, Davis and at Stanford University, where he also completed his fellowship in pain medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. Dr. Leong is currently a Clinical Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at Stanford University.

Joseph Liao, MD

Dr. Joseph Liao, M.D., is a board-certified anesthesiologist, pain management specialist, and clinical instructor at the Stanford University School of Medicine, where he brings a wealth of expertise to the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine.
His clinical interests span a wide range of pain conditions with an emphasis on back pain, neck pain, joint pain, nerve pain, cancer-related pain, chronic post-surgical pain, and chronic post-traumatic pain. He specializes in neuromodulation, such as spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation. Dr. Liao’s expertise extends to minimally invasive surgical spine interventions, using techniques like radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous decompression, fusion, and steroid injections. He is skilled in using ultrasonography and fluoroscopy to address spine, degenerative joint, and musculoskeletal diseases, as well as neurolysis and ablation for cancer-related pain.
In his research, Dr. Liao focuses on innovative therapies through neuromodulation and minimally invasive spine interventions, with his work published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals such as Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. He serves as an ad hoc reviewer for multiple pain and anesthesiology journals. He is actively engaged in presenting and teaching at national and international conferences.
Dr. Liao is an avid patient and physician advocate. He takes pride in facilitating safe care and enjoys teaching other physicians how to safely deliver anesthetics and pain care in various forums. He adheres to the philosophy of applying the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. His goal is to utilize minimally invasive interventions to enhance functionality, elevate quality of life, and alleviate pain.
He serves on leadership boards and is affiliated with numerous esteemed medical associations such as the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, American Society of Pain and Neuroscience, North American Neuromodulation Society, International Association for the Study of Pain, American Academy of Pain Medicine, Pacific Spine and Pain Society, California Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and World Academy of Pain Medicine United.

Mark Liker, MD

Dr. Mark Liker is the founder and senior partner of California Neurosurgical Institute, bringing over 20 years of experience and performing 400 to 500 successful surgeries annually. Renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive, endoscopic and open techniques, Dr. Liker specializes in a wide range of spine and brain surgeries, including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, functional neurosurgery, and radiosurgery. Some of his most common procedures include artificial disc replacement, microdiscectomies, and minimally invasive spinal fusions.
The Journey to Surgical Excellence: Dr. Liker
Dr. Liker’s problem-solving approach to neurosurgery is rooted in his background as a mechanical and aerospace engineer with a degree from Princeton University. This unique perspective allows him to diagnose and treat spine issues with precision, using advanced imaging techniques like SPECT-CT scans to identify the root cause of pain and develop the most effective, least invasive treatment plans.
Dr. Liker’s distinguished career includes numerous accolades, such as being named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for 15 consecutive years, being recognized as a Southern California Super Doctor from 2013-2022, and being ranked among the top 1% of neurosurgeons in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. He trained at USC’s Keck Medical Center and Los Angeles County Medical Center, completing a fellowship in complex spine surgery. He continues to pursue advancements in patient care as an assistant professor and faculty member at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and enjoys teaching residents at Keck School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery in deep brain stimulation techniques.
A dedicated academic, Dr. Liker has authored over 40 peer-reviewed manuscripts, edited three journal special editions, and delivered more than 40 national and international presentations on neurosurgical topics.

Paul Lynch, MD

Paul Lynch, MD, is the founder and CEO of US Pain Care, a vertically integrated healthcare company that provides strategy, marketing, and management support to healthcare practices, vendors, and insurance companies. US Pain Care focuses on evidence-based clinical protocols that reduce costs while also providing life-changing care to patients suffering from chronic pain.
He is additionally the founder and CEO of Nirvana, a healthcare billing and compliance company that utilizes emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to decrease the cost of revenue cycle management while simultaneously increasing compliance.
Dr. Lynch is a double board-certified and fellowship-trained pain management physician and anesthesiologist, with 17 years’ experience treating all types of chronic pain conditions. Throughout his career, Dr. Lynch has focused on providing comprehensive and evidenced-based treatment, with vigilant attention to the standard of care and best practices. He has managed pain practices in 15 different states and is currently licensed to practice in 9 states. He also has experience as an expert witness, performing legal reviews and providing deposition testimony since 2010, with involvement in over 100 cases.
Dr. Lynch’s personal goal is to help save 1 million lives through US Pain Care’s innovative approach to treating those suffering from chronic pain and opioid use disorder.

Mel Pohl, MD

Mel Pohl, MD, DFASAM is the Senior Medical Consultant to the Pain Recovery Program at The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center. He was formerly the Chief Medical Officer of the Las Vegas Recovery Center (LVRC).
He is a Family Practitioner, certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
Dr. Mel is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He was elected by his peers for inclusion in Best Doctors in America® from 2009 to present. He is the author of A Day Without Pain (Central Recovery Press) and The Pain Antidote – Stop Suffering from Chronic Pain, Avoid Addiction to Painkillers, and Reclaim Your Life with Kathy Ketcham (DaCapo Press).

Lawrence Poree, MD, PhD, MPH

Dr. Lawrence Poree is a pain medicine physician with expertise in using the latest interventional techniques to control pain with less reliance on oral medications. He is particularly interested in managing pain and restoring function through neuromodulation, technology that delivers electrical stimulation or medication to targeted areas in the body.
Poree earned his master of public health degree at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also earned a doctoral degree in toxicology. He then completed postdoctorate studies in biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine, where he completed a residency in anesthesiology. He completed a fellowship in pain management at UCSF.
Poree serves on the boards of the North American Neuromodulation Society, and the International Neuromodulation Society.

Abdullah Mohamad Qatu, MD

Dr. Qatu is a board-certified, fellowship-trained pain management specialist at the Stanford Health Care Pain Management Center. He is also a clinical instructor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Division of Pain Medicine, at Stanford University School of Medicine.
He specializes in the diagnosis and management of many different types of pain, including nerve pain, joint pain, cancer pain, low back and neck pain. Dr. Qatu obtained his medical degree from the Grossman School of Medicine at New York University (NYU). He continued on at NYU to complete his residency in anesthesiology after completing an internship in general surgery. He subsequently completed his pain medicine fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Qatu believes in utilizing a multimodal approach for pain management. This includes interventional, pharmacological, rehabilitative and psychological strategies. He is well-trained in a wide variety of interventional modalities that include injections, epidurals, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablations, peripheral nerve stimulation, spinal cord/dorsal root ganglion stimulation and minimally invasive decompression. His research focuses on the clinical use of neuromodulation for various types of pain. In addition, he has investigated whether certain demographic and socioeconomic variables, as well as psychiatric illness, affect the outcomes of various orthopaedic traumas and surgeries. Dr. Qatu has presented his research at conferences throughout the U.S. and in Canada.

Kartic Rajput, MD, PhD

CALSIPP Director-at-Large
Kartic Rajput, MD, PhD, is a double board-certified physician in psychiatry and pain management from the American Board of Medical Specialties. He is one of the first few psychiatrist in the country who are trained in interventional pain management. He also has unique research background in opioids and pain pharmacology and received his PhD from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. He has extensive experience in the area of neuropsychiatry and pain and has been widely published. Dr. Rajput completed his training at Tulane School of Medicine where he also served as chief resident in the department. He also completed an interventional pain fellowship at the Department of Anesthesia, Medical College of Georgia. He currently practices as Interventional pain physician in Stockton, California.

Linda Rever, MD

CALSIPP Secretary
Dr. Rever completed her anesthesiology residency at Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine as chief resident with an instrumental role in development of the acute pain service. Upon completion of her neuroanesthesia fellowship at Georgetown University, Dr. Rever joined the faculty there with a focus on neuroanesthesia and pain medicine. In 1993, she joined the faculty of the Keck School of Medicine in the Department of Anesthesiology establishing the acute pain service at the LAC+USC Medical Center. Dr. Rever currently serves as director of the acute pain service at LAC+USC Medical Center and at Keck Hospital of USC. As part of the educational mission of the department, she mentors residents and serves on the resident education committee. Since 2007, Dr. Rever has also served as chair of the Bioethics Committee of the USC Norris Medical Staff.

Howard Rosner, MD

CALSIPP Director-at-Large

Vanila Singh, MD, MACM

CALSIPP President
Dr. Vanila Singh is an American physician, educator, policymaker, and patient advocate. She has dedicated her career to clinical medicine and public health issues and is currently tackling one of the nation’s most widespread, expensive, and devastating epidemics of our time: the opioid and greater drug epidemic. As a double-board certified faculty physician in both anesthesiology and pain medicine, Dr. Singh has brought her background in molecular and cell biology and economics in understanding the underlying mechanisms of complex acute and chronic pain as well as other medical conditions. Dr. Singh has spent over 17 years at the Stanford University School of Medicine as a Clinical Associate Professor where her practice focuses on pain management, regional anesthesia and advanced ultrasound-guided procedures.
In 2017, Dr. Singh was appointed by the White House to serve as the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH). She was later concurrently appointed by the Assistant Secretary for Health as the Acting Regional Health Administrator for Region 9 (CA, NV, AZ, HI, and the Pacific Islands) and served dual leadership roles through her HHS tenure.
In her role as the U.S. Department of HHS Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Singh was integral in shaping the Department’s opioid policy recommendations. She served as Chairperson of the highly regarded Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force, for the CARA Legislative Act of 2016, where she brought together and led 29 expert Task Force members in pain medicine, addiction, mental health, minority health, Veterans’ health, as well as professional medical organizations representatives and respected members from FDA, CDC, NIH. Under her leadership, the Task Force submitted a comprehensive Report to the U.S. Congress on May 30th 2019, that received over 150 endorsements from various stakeholder organization, included over 500 scholarly references and 10,000 public comments, and utilized artificial intelligence/machine learning to analyze new and emerging trends in the pain management landscape.
Dr. Singh has received numerous awards and most recently is the recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Philipp M. Lippe, MD Award, given to a physician for outstanding contributions to both the social and political aspects of pain medicine. She has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians 2018, and has been recognized as a woman in leadership. She continues to provide news commentary locally and nationally on matters related to health care, policy, COVID, and other subjects. She is frequently invited to keynote and speak on her experiences and expert background. Dr Singh sits on the board of various private, public and non-profit organizations.