Investing in Excellence: How Donations Transformed Pain Management at UCSF

Donations over the past fiscal year played a crucial role in supporting the UCSF Pain Management Center. Contributions directly enhanced the quality of care for our patients and supported the professional growth of our dedicated faculty and staff.  

The Pain Management Center, primarily managed by Dr. Chris Abrecht along with the Vice Chair for Pain Medicine Dr. Mark Schumacher, is committed to providing cutting-edge treatments and comprehensive care. Financial contributions helped us continue to excel in several key areas. 

With this support, we provided Pain Reprocessing Therapy training for our pain psychologists. This innovative therapy helped patients reframe their understanding of pain, leading to significant reductions in chronic pain symptoms. 

This funding allowed our junior faculty members and nurse practitioners to attend conferences. Donations covered travel expenses for a conference on cancer pain, allowing them to gain valuable insights and skills. Additionally, funding covered conference fees for local training by the World Academy of Pain Medicine United enabled multiple faculty members to enhance their ultrasound-guided intervention techniques. 

Creating a supportive and positive work environment is essential for high-quality patient care. Contributions funded morale-boosting events, such as a holiday meal at the clinic and gatherings for the pain division. These events fostered teamwork, enhanced job satisfaction, and ultimately improved patient outcomes.  

Looking ahead, we have plans to improve the patient experience on procedure days by providing therapeutic devices to relieve stress. These small comforts can make a significant difference in patient satisfaction and overall experience. 

A donation to the UCSF Pain Management Center's general fund is an investment in the future of pain medicine. By supporting our faculty, staff, and patients, donations help maintain our commitment to excellence and compassionate care.