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Robert D. Kerns, Ph.D., National Program Director for Pain Management and Director of the HSR&D Pain Research, Informatics, Medical comorbidities, and Education (PRIME) Center at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System will be honored by the American Pain Society (APS) for his significant contributions to the study of pain.
Dr. Kerns has been named the John and Emma Bonica Public Service Award winner for 2010. The Bonica Award recognizes distinguished contributions by an individual or an organization to the field of pain through public education, dissemination of information, public service, or other efforts that further knowledge about pain. Kerns' research has included studies on interactive approaches to the treament of chronic pain; assessments of systems to treat pain in polytrauma centers; and pain in women Veterans.
Bonica Award winners must have produced a body of outstanding achievements through direct public service, dissemination of information and public education, or activities that have enhanced the field of pain and pain scholarship and have had a direct impact on the public. On being named as the 2010 recipient, Dr. Kerns noted, "This is particularly meaningful, since it is named in honor of one of the founders of the field of pain management and a leading advocate for improving pain care for the citizens of the world. I see the decision to give me the award as an explicit acknowledgement of the visibility and importance of the VA's efforts to promote pain care for Veterans as a model for improving pain care for all."
Dr. Kerns will receive the Bonica Award on May 2, 2010, in Baltimore at the APS' 29th Annual Scientific Meeting.
