Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship
A Message from the OPMOS Founding Director
Dania Cyd Chastain, PhD
Founding Director of OPMOS
Clinical Psychologist
Anesthesiology Pain Management
The opioid crisis has changed the way we study, evaluate, and treat patients. I founded The University of Virginia Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship (OPMOS) to establish and foster interdisciplinary, collaborative educational initiatives within UVA and in partnership with our local community. We offer individualized education for healthcare providers and nonprofits, for patients and families, and for students and parents. Our focus is on:
- Communication—between doctors and patients, within institutions, within families, and with community supports
- Treatment—research-based best practices for opioid prescribing, sparing, tapering, weaning, and opioid use disorder
- Collaboration—with other research hospitals, community healthcare organizations, local educators, and providers across specialties (including anesthesiology, EMS, nursing, oncology, orthopedics, pain medicine, pediatrics, pharmacy, psychology, oral surgery, palliative care, social work, and surgery)
- Safety—patient and provider protocols, drug disposal drop-boxes, and education on medication safety and responsibility at home
- Empowerment—foundations for provider-patient communication, the role of pain management, and harm reduction strategies
We are a resource for you, and for your patients. Let us know if you are interested in an educational program to meet the needs of your practice or organization. Get involved—tell us what you’re seeing, tell us what you need at OPMOS@uvahealth.org or reach us by phone in the UVA Department of Anesthesiology at (434) 924-2283. Please see the following sections below “About OPMOS,” “Continuing Medical Education,” and “Community Education” to learn more.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Dr. Dania Chastain, PhD
Founding Director of OPMOS
About OPMOS
At OPMOS, we educate, empower, and connect patients, families, healthcare providers and community stakeholders.
Educate
- Innovative educational programs for healthcare providers, patients, and families in Charlottesville and beyond
- CME curriculum
- Programming designed for your organization/practice/school
- Virtual, nationwide lectures and forums
- Scientific articles and research
Empower
- Strategies and support for both patients and providers to enable open and effective communication.
- Free, accessible information for patients and families
- Link both patients and providers to state and local healthcare groups, harm-reduction services, and nonprofits
- Address disparities in pain management
Connect
- Partner with UVA’s Pain Management Division, and UVA’s Perioperative Medicine Division
- Collaborate with other research hospitals
- Member of the (Region Ten) Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition
- Committed to Health equity
Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship (OPMOS) Advisory Board
University of Virginia (UVA):
Peggy P. McNaull, MD
UVA Frederic A. Berry Professor and Chair, Department of Anesthesiology
UGR3XC@uvahealth.org
Lynn Kohan, MD
UVA Department of Anesthesiology, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine; Medical Director, Fellowship Director, Chronic Pain Fellowship
Lrk9g@uvahealth.org
Dania Cyd Chastain, PhD
UVA Department of Anesthesiology/Division of Pain Medicine; Associate Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology,
Founding Director, Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship
Dcc6w@uvahealth.org
Leslie Blackhall, MD
UVA Division of Medicine, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care; Director of Palliative Care
Lb9x@uvahealth.org
Jeff Elias, MD
UVA Department of Neurosurgery; Director of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
Wje4r@uvahealth.org
Bob Goldstein, MD
UVA Department of Anesthesiology/ Division of Pain Medicine; Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
Rbg7a@uvahealth.org
Leisa Gonnella, MD
UVA Director of Administration, Department of Anesthesiology
Ltg4a@uvahealth.org
Traci Hedricks, MD
UVA Department of Surgery
Th8q@uvahealth.org
Leon Henry, MSW, LCSW
UVA Clinical Supervisor of Department of Social Work; Private Practice-Virginia Family Therapy
Lh9NE@hsmail.uvahealth.org
Lori Urban, PsyD
UVA Department of Anesthesiology, Assistant Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology, Clinical Health Psychologist
Lau96@uvahealth.org
Andrew Whitman, PharmD, BCOP,
UVA Health, Department of Pharmacy Services: Lead Clinical Pharmacist – Hematology/Oncology; Residency; Program Director – PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy
Amw6az@uvahealth.org
Robin Hamill-Ruth, MD
UVA Pain Center, Director Emeritus
rhamillruth@gmail.com
Andrew Mendelson, DO
UVA Department of Anesthesiology/Division of Pain Medicine, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
HAV4PM@uvahealth.org
Priyanka Singla, MD
UVA Department of Anesthesiology/Division of Pain Medicine, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
Ps7EY@uvahealth.org
Bhavana Yalamuru, MBBS
UVA Department of Anesthesiology/Division of Pain Medicine; Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
By2g@uvahealth.org
Xiaoying (Amy) Zhu, MD
UVA Department of Anesthesiology/Division of Pain Medicine, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
X26b@uvahealth.org
Ann Marie Smith, MEd, MDiv
UVA Emily Couric Cancer, Center Chaplaincy Services and Pastoral Education, Adult Oncology
ams5av@virginia.edu
Wendy Carlton
UVA Department of Anesthesiology/Division of Pain Medicine; Executive Editor, Program Director, Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship
Wlc4a@uvahealth.org
Steve Morton, RN
UVA Acute Pain Service, Nurse Coordinator
Spm4w@uvahealth.org
Christian Renwick
UVA School of Medicine, Class of 2024
Cmr4b@uvahealth.org
Other Academic Institutions:
Marie Hanna, MD, MEHP
Johns Hopkins University, Associate Professor Anesthesia and Critical Care; Division Chief, Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Management;
Medical Director, Perioperative Pain Program
Mhanna9@jhmi.edu
Jessica Strasburg, MD
Cleveland Clinic, Department of Family Medicine and Women’s Health; Pelvic Pain Specialist
strasbj@ccf.org
Charlottesville/Albemarle Community:
Sarah Knight, MD
Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville
sarahesvk@gmail.com
Nathaniel D. Tricker, DDS
Section Chief, Sentara MJH Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Dentistry; Diplomate, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Diplomate, American Dental Society of Dental Anesthesia
nate.tricker@gmail.com
Jeffrey Katra, DO, MA
Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship UVA, Behavioral Health and Cannabis Medicine, Health and Wellness Medical Services Charlottesville
jeff.katra@gmail.com
Amanda Sovik-Johnston, PhD
Adolescent Psychologist, Virginia Family Therapy
a.sovik.johnston@gmail.com
Rebecca Kendall, MSW
Region Ten Community Services Board; Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition Director
Rebecca.kendall@regionten.org
Virginia Leavell
Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad, Chief
vleavell@rescue1.org
Resources
We have an outpatient Pain Management Center, and inpatient Acute Pain and Regional programs. If you are coming in for surgery or have a patient that is entering our perioperative process, our pain services’ practice will work with you before, during, and after to help you have the least amount of discomfort in the saftest way possible. If you need longer term rehabilitation, or have a chronic condition, we will make an individualized plan that could include, safe and shorter-term opioid treatment, non-opioid medication, mind-body techniques, opioid weaning or titration, physical therapy, interventional pain management procedures such as nerve blocks, and surgical options.
All across the Anesthesiology Department, pain treatment with opioids is never a solo intervention. Since pain is all encompassing, to successfully manage your pain we need to look at its impact on all aspects of your life. Whether you have a history of opioid use disorder (OUD), or this is the first time you have needed pain medication, we provide a safe, non- judgmental environment. When you are assessed by our team, we will listen, answer your questions, address your concerns, and explain in practical terms your treatment and follow-up options. We are an interdisciplinary team dedicated to not being part of the problem—and dedicated to being part of the solution.
More Information
Of course, you cannot talk about pain without talking about opioids. Here in Virginia, we lost over 2,200 people to opioids in 2021. (VDH) Heroin and fentanyl (a dangerously powerful synthetic opioid), have overtaken pain medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine as the biggest killers.
These numbers are all people. The greatest percentage of them are between the ages of 35 and 44—people in the prime of their lives. They are Black, White, LatinX, Asian, and Native American. They are men, women, and trans people. They come from all socio-economic backgrounds. They are high-school dropouts and Ph.Ds. They are our friends, neighbors, and family members. And they are why we started this work at UVA.
At the heart of this public health crisis lies the fact that 4 out of 5 pharmacy-filled prescriptions are opioids (NCDAS). In 2021, more than 107,000 people in the U.S. died of a drug overdose—the most overdose deaths ever recorded in a single year. And 76% of those deaths were from opioids. People abuse prescription opioids specifically, or 95%.
Among people who abuse any prescription painkiller, 95% of them abuse opioids. No matter who you are, or what your situation with pain or pain medication is, our doors and our hearts are open to you.
For more information, please reach out to either of us at OPMOS@uvahealth.org or by phone in the UVA Department of Anesthesiology at (434) 924-2283. We look forward to hearing from you.
Dania Cyd Chastain, PhD
UVA Department of Anesthesiology/Division of Pain Medicine; Associate Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology,
Founding Director, Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship
Wendy Carlton
UVA Department of Anesthesiology/Division of Pain Medicine; Executive Editor, Program Director, Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship
Continuing Medical Education
Meeting the Moment
How the Opioid Crisis Has Changed the Way We Study, Evaluate, and Treat Patients
This six-part series for UVA School of Medicine Alumni was underwritten by the Department of Anesthesiology and available at no cost to the public. It was offered from September 2022 through July 2023. Although the period to claim CME credit has ended, these programs will be cataloged by OPMOS and become available as enduring material. Check back for availability.
It is impossible to discuss pain management without addressing the opioid crisis. At UVA, our Pain Management Services utilize empirically-based assessments and treatments to preemptively address our patients’ pain and provide interdisciplinary support throughout the perioperative process.
Our Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship builds educational programs for your practice, institution, and community. We collaborate with local healthcare organizations and nonprofits. We are a resource for you, and for your patients. Get involved—tell us what you’re seeing, tell us what you need at opmos@uvahealth.org.
Special Populations: Adolescents & Opioids
Drs. Dania Cyd Chastain and Priyanka Singla, UVA; Virginia Leavell, Charlottesville-Albemarle EMS Chief; Christian Renwick, UVA School of Medicine ‘24
This interdisciplinary panel explored the effects the opioid crisis has had on young people. They focus on exposure, warning signs, the impact of fentanyl, and harm reduction strategies.
Interventional Pain Techniques & Diabetic Neuropathy, June 13th, 2022
At UVA, our pain clinic treats each patient with a multifaceted approach unique to their physical and psychological challenges. Targeted therapies that use advanced technologies offer patients both pain relief and increased function.
Interventional Pain Procedures—Dr. Priyanka Singla, UVA
Dr. Singla discussed implications and presented an overview of interventional pain techniques, including peripheral nerve and spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal pumps.
Diabetic Neuropathy—Dr. Bhavana Yalamuru, UVA
Dr. Yalamuru broke down what evaluation and pain management options look like for patients with diabetic neuropathy.
Special Populations: Cancer Pain for the Primary Care Physician and Chronic Pelvic Pain, May 2nd, 2022
Cancer Pain for the Primary Care Physician—Dr. Andrew Mendelson, UVA
Dr. Mendelson discussed the incidence and etiology of cancer pain. Treating cancer pain presents unique challenges in an arena of shifting priorities. This discussion examines pharmacological and nonpharmacological options—and the advantages of blending the two.
Chronic Pelvic Pain—Dr. Jessica Strasburg, Cleveland Clinic
Dr. Strasburg discussed how to recognize chronic pelvic pain and the importance of a team approach to treatment. With focus on a strong foundation of open doctor-patient communication, she shared her practice of patient-centered exams using trauma informed care.
Collaboration, Future Directions, & New Guidelines, December 6th, 2022
Drs. Dania Cyd Chastain, Robert Goldstein, & Patrick Finan, UVA; Wendy Carlton, OPMOS Program Director UVA
This session explored protocols at UVA that address what happens when pain medications are prescribed to our patients. Dr. Bob Goldstein discussed a program that ensures safe disposal of unused opioids and other medications to decrease the likelihood of perpetuating the opioid crisis in our community. Researcher Dr. Patrick Finan discussed his current research as well as future directions for pain research at UVA.
Our spotlight panel focused on new CDC Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Pain released November 3rd. 2022. We debriefed on the 12 recommendations which fall into 4 areas:
- Deciding whether to initiate opioids
- Selecting opioids and calculating dosages
- Determining duration of initial opioid prescription and conducting follow-up
- Assessing risks and addressing potential harms of opioid use
Practice Strategies: Our Commitment To Healthcare Providers, Patients, & Our Community, November 1st, 2022
Drs. Dania Cyd Chastain, Robert Goldstein, Andrew Mendelson, Lori Urban, Bhavana Yalamuru, UVA;
Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Dr. Jeffrey Katra, UVA
Psychiatry, Behavioral Health, and Cannabis Medicine, a discussion of strategies that increase a sense of control for patients and for practitioners including opioid weaning and tapering, opioid sparing, non-pharmacological treatments, and working with challenging patients. Our Spotlight Talk from Dr. Jeffrey Katra examined the role of medical marijuana in opioid sparing and treatment of pain.
Who We Are, What We Do, & Where We Are Headed, September 13th, 2022
Drs. Dania Cyd Chastain, Lynn Kohan, Xiaoying (Amy) Zhu, and Priyanka Singla, UVA; Christian Renwick, UVA School of Medicine ’24; Wendy Carlton, OPMOS Program Director UVA
Introducing The Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship
You cannot talk about pain without talking about opioids. UVA opioid stewardship prevention and treatment strategies include educational programming, interdisciplinary collaboration, a perioperative pain program, and evidence-based protocol development. Share our resources with your community. Work with us. Join the conversation.
In our Spotlight Talk Dr. Kohan discussed UVA Leadership in the establishment of new national buprenorphine guidelines.
Community Education
Our Office of Pain Management & Opioid Stewardship builds educational programs for your practice, institution, and community. We collaborate with local healthcare organizations, schools, and nonprofits. Get involved—tell us what you’re seeing, tell us what you need at opmos@uvahealth.org
Piedmont Virginia Community College Staff Program
June 20, 2024
Drs. Dania Cyd Chastain and Bhavana Yalamuru, UVA; Anne Croonquist, parent; Virginia Leavell, Charlottesville-Albemarle EMS Chief
The Opioid Crisis: What Educational Communities Need to Know
The UVA Department of Anesthesiology OPMOS team spoke to a group of PVCC staff about how to keep everyone in their community safe. Along with the topics below, we discussed strategies for better supporting and communicating with students and colleagues. There was a lengthy Q and A which gave us the opportunity to dive deeper into the complexities of the opioid crisis. Anne Croonquist generously shared the story of losing her son, a local young adult, to an opioid overdose. Local EMS Chief Virginia Leavell trained participants on how to administer Narcan, and staff were able to leave with free Narcan.
Topics Included:
- Understanding opioids, and young adult drug use
- The impact of fentanyl, xylazine, and counterfeit pills
- How to recognize substance use and abuse
- School connectedness and family engagement as protective factors and support systems for
students and parents - Overdoses—how to recognize them, how to stop them, Good Samaritan Laws
- Harm reduction, keeping meds safe at home, drug take-back options
- Narcan training
Charlottesville Albemarle Dental Society (CADS)
A CADS CME Accredited Program
May 25th, 2023
Drs. Dania Cyd Chastain, Lynn Kohan, Priyanka Singla and Andrew Mendelson,
UVA; Nate Tricker, DDS; Virginia Leavell, Charlottesville-Albemarle EMS Chief;
Christian Renwick, UVA School of Medicine ‘24
An individualized program focused on topics including:
- CDC New Opioid Prescribing Guidelines
- Prescribing Practices of General Dentists and Dental Specialists
- Acute Pain Management
- Chronic Pain Management
- Treating Pain
- Warning signs for Opioid Addiction in Healthcare Providers
- Narcan Training
- Medication Safety and Responsibility
The Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship (OPMOS) was invited to speak at the Albemarle County Public Schools education conference- Making Connections on Monday Nov 6th, 2023 at Monticello High School.
Presenters included Dr. Dania Cyd Chastain, PhD, Founding Director of OPMOS and Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Robert Goldstein, Christian Renwick, UVA School of Medicine ’24, and Wendy Carlton, OPMOS Program Director
The team presented a program on Adolescents and Opioids to educators. Topics included counterfeit pills, opioid exposures for teens, how to recognize substance abuse, Fentanyl and Xylazine, harm reduction, and safe medication storage and disposal.
They talked about school connectedness as a protective factor, and the role of schools in supporting teens and their families. Participants were also trained in how to recognize an overdose and administer Narcan.
The Opioid Crisis: What Charlottesville Teens & Parents Need to Know
St. Anne’s Belfield School
March 29th , 2023
Drs. Dania Cyd Chastain, Priyanka Singla, and Andrew Mendelson UVA; Nate
Tricker, DDS; Virginia Leavell, Charlottesville-Albemarle EMS Chief
Assembly topics for students, faculty & administrators included:
- The Opioid Crisis: statistics and demographics
- Understanding opioids
- Adolescent drug use
- The impact of Fentanyl and counterfeit pills
- Behavioral and physical signs of drug use and abuse
- Overdoses—How to recognize them, How to stop them, Good Samaritan Laws
- Narcan training
- Being an active bystander, Harm Reduction, Keeping meds safe at home
Webinar topics for parents included:
- The Opioid Crisis: statistics and demographics
- Understanding opioids
- Adolescent drug use
- Adolescent Opioid use—potential exposures, access
- The impact of Fentanyl and counterfeit pills
- Risk factors for drug use, and behavioral and physical signs of use and abuse
- Overdoses—How to recognize them, How to stop them, Good Samaritan Laws
- Harm Reduction, Keeping meds safe at home, Being an active bystander
- How to talk to your kids about opioids and other drugs
Opioid Management for Hospitalists
A Sentara CME Accredited Program
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
April 6th, 2022
Drs. Dania Cyd Chastain, Lynn Kohan, Robert Goldstein, Bhavana Yalamuru, Andrew Mendelson and Priyanka Singla, UVA Department of Anesthesiology/Division of Pain Medicine; Wendy Carlton, OPMOS Program
Director UVA
An Individualized Program Focused on:
- Working with Chronic Pain Patients in an Acute Care Setting
- Opioid Tapering Strategies
- Working with Challenging Patients
- Treating with Suboxone
- Educating Patients, Creating and Using Behavioral Agreements
- Decreasing Risk of Addiction in Patients with Short-Term Opioid Treatment Plans