President: Dhanalakshmi Koyyalagunta, MD (2024 - 2026)
Dr. Mitchell Engle completed the Medical Scientist Training Program at The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, which awarded him both an M.D. and a Ph.D. in pharmacology. It was during his Ph.D. training that he developed a passion for pain medicine, studying the role of the spinal cord in processing pain related to nerve injuries. He subsequently completed a residency in anesthesiology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, where he was selected as chief resident. Dr. Engle then went on to complete a fellowship in pain medicine at the prestigious M.D. Anderson Cancer. After his fellowship, he was asked to stay as an M.D. Anderson Cancer Center faculty, which he did for five years. During his last three years at M.D. Anderson, Dr. Engle served as the pain medicine fellowship program director. In this role, he led an elite pain medicine fellowship and developed the nation's first year-long course in evidence-based pain medicine. Dr. Engle is double board certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine.
Board of DirectorsThe Texas Pain Society has a board of directors, along with directors, general counsel, and directors emeritus. Board
Dr Lakshmi Koyyalagunta is currently a Professor in the Department of Pain Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. She completed her medical education and diploma in Anesthesiology from Grant Medical College, Mumbai, India. She did her Anesthesiology residency at University of Massachusetts, Worcester where she served as the chief resident. She subsequently did a fellowship in Pain Medicine from Beth Israel Deaconess, Harvard, Boston, MA. She is board certified in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Addiction Medicine. Her clinical focus is on interventional therapies for cancer pain and opioid misuse in the Oncologic setting. She has a keen interest in clinical research, has more than 34 peer reviewed articles, and numerous abstracts. She enjoys teaching and lecturing at various local, national, and international meetings. Dr Koyyalagunta has been on the editorial board of Pain physician for multiple years, ABA Pain examination committee member, AAPM CME committee member. She has served as President of the Houston chapter of Texas Pain Society. CV
Dr. Gulshan Doulatram is professor in the department of anesthesiology at UTMB Galveston. She received her medical degree from Kilpauk Medical College in 1991. She completed her internship and residency of anesthesiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. She also completed her fellowship for pain management at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. She is currently the pain fellowship director at UTMB.
President and co-founding medical director of the Pain Diagnostics and Treatment Center, Dr. Tim Zoys was previously associate director of the Eugene McDermott Center for Pain Management at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and held an assistant professor faculty position in the department of anesthesiology and pain management at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He has been recognized for his physician education programs on pain diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Zoys has been an active member of the medical community who has served and continues to serve on a number of committees and boards with leadership roles. He is a former President of the Greater North Texas Pain Society. He is currently Treasurer and on the Board of Directors of the Texas Pain Society. Dr. Zoys was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He graduated valedictorian from Sunset High School and then attended Austin College. He received his medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and completed an internship in internal medicine from Presbyterian Hospital. He completed an anesthesiology residency at the Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes Hospital and a Fellowship in pain management at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s Pain Management Program. He is a Diplomate of the Academy of Integrative Pain Management. Directors
Associate Professor Anesthesiology & Pain Management at UTSW Medical School.
Dr. Carlos O. Viesca is a pain management doctor at the Interventional Pain Medicine Institute in El Paso, Texas. He received his board certification from the American Board of Pain Medicine and his medical degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas. Dr. Viesca completed a residency in general surgery at the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Hospital General Ciudad Juárez. In addition to this, he also completed a residency in anesthesiology at Texas Tech University, El Paso. He is fellowship-trained in interventional pain medicine at the same university. He completed another fellowship training in interventional pain medicine at Texas Tech University. Dr. Viesca is a zealous researcher, with authorial credits in numerous esteemed publications. Located at El Paso, he believes in the delivery of quality patient care that focuses on patient comfort and seamless recovery.
Dr. Allen Dennis is a partner at Advanced Pain Care of the Austin area and practices throughout Central Texas. He serves as medical director of Round Rock Surgery Center and Advanced Pain Care Georgetown and research director for Advanced Pain Care. He practices comprehensive pain management with expertise in neuromodulation. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and completed residency training in anesthesiology and fellowship in interventional pain management at Texas Tech Health Science Center in Lubbock. Dr. Dennis is board certified in anesthesiology and pain management through the American Board of Anesthesiology and through the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians. He has served as an examiner for the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians.
Dr. Baominh P. Vinh is a fellowship-trained interventional pain physician, board-certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. He dedicates himself to providing advanced, comprehensive and expert pain management. His goal is to help patients regain their pain-free lifestyle, by tailoring a unique treatment plan for each individual patient. Dr. Vinh has spent years serving the country as a United States Naval Officer. After his military career, he devoted years to helping patients in the medical community, treating them with compassion, empathy and respect. He pays personal attention to every patient, thoroughly evaluating and competently treating all forms of chronic pain. He has also volunteered his medical services in Guatemala, as well as in the Vietnamese community. Dr. Vinh earned his bachelor of science from the U.S. Naval Academy. He then received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, where he was named Medical Student of the Year. He then continued his medical training as an anesthesiology resident at U.T. Medical School, where he was named Junior Resident of the Year and served as the Chief Resident. Afterwards, he completed his fellowship in interventional pain management at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he served as the Chief Fellow. He continues to be a principal researcher in pain medicine and has been selected to present his research projects at the American Pain Society and Texas Pain Society annual meetings.
Dr. Shiraz Yazdani was raised in Kentucky and received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Kentucky. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his residency in Anesthesiology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas, where he was Chief Resident in the Anesthesiology Department from 2012-2013. He completed his Fellowship in Pain Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Yazdani provides comprehensive pain management care, including the latest minimally invasive techniques emerging in the field of Pain Medicine. Dr. Yazdani has extensive experience in the treatment of cancer pain. Through effective pain management, patients reduce their pain and return to more active and rewarding lifestyles. Dr. Yazdani also helps patients understand and manage their chronic pain. Dr. Yazdani’s philosophy centers on the complete treatment of each patient’s unique pain profile. He focuses his efforts on individualized care while concentrating on patient comfort, convenience, confidence, and peace of mind. Dr. Yazdani is board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine by the American Board of Anesthesiology and is also a Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice, awarded by the World Institute of Pain. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and rooting for the Red Raiders. Curriculum Vitae General Counsel
Robbyn Wysocki focuses her legal practice on the representation of trade associations, other nonprofits, and private for-profit entities. Ms. Wysocki earned her J.D. from George Mason University School of Law after receiving an economics degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Directors Emeritus Dr. Miles Day is the pain fellowship program director and an associate professor for the department of anesthesiology and pain management at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. He also serves as an examiner for the World Institute of Pain Interventional Pain Practice Exam. Curriculum Vitae
Past President: Larry C. Driver, MD Dr. Larry Driver is professor in the department of pain medicine and an adjunct ethicist for the Clinical Ethics Consultation Service at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. His undergraduate education was at Austin College, followed by medical education at The University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio. He completed his anesthesiology residency at The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver and later completed a clinical fellowship in pain and symptom management at MD Anderson. He was a visiting research scholar at the Pellegrino Center for Clinical Ethics at Georgetown University and is a Mayday Pain and Society Fellow. He is board certified in anesthesiology, pain medicine, hospice, and palliative medicine. Professional interests and activities include clinical pain and symptom management for patients with active cancer and advanced cancer, as well as cancer survivors; ethical issues surrounding those clinical efforts; research focused on symptom burden and impact in cancer patients; and pain education and public policy initiatives. Curriculum Vitae
Dr . Cheryl White is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology with fellowship training culminating in board certification in pain medicine. She has an interest in promoting the specialty of pain medicine through educational opportunities in both the field of medicine as well as at the state legislative level. She is dedicated to furthering patient safety, ensuring professional awareness, and promoting appropriate access to care for patients with chronic pain. Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Ralph G. Menard is employed by the Hill Country Memorial Medical Group in Fredericksburg, Texas, practicing in the best part of Texas, the Hill Country. He has been actively involved in treating all aspects of pain medicine including hospice care but is particularly interested in interventional techniques. He is a founding member of the Texas Pain Society. Curriculum Vitae
Gabor B. Racz, MD Dr. Gabor B. Racz filled numerous assignments, such as respiratory consultant in the neurosurgical head injury unit and associate professor at SUNY until 1977 when he moved to Lubbock, Texas, to become the first chairman of the department of anesthesiology at the new Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He held that position until March 1, 1999, when, as director of pain services, he focused full attention to treatment of patients, expanding the operations of pain services and the future development of an international pain institute in Lubbock. Curriculum Vitae Dr. C.M. Schade is board certified in pain management and currently practices in Garland, Texas. He is a past president of the Texas Pain Society and currently serves on the board as a director emeritus. Dr. Schade is also the Texas Pain Society representative for the Texas Medical Association's House of Delegates. Curriculum Vitae
Aaron K. Calodney, MD
Dr. Aaron Calodney has served on the board of directors with the International Spine Intervention Society and is on the board of directors with the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. Dr. Calodney co-authored the first set of evidence-based guidelines for interventional techniques in the management of chronic spinal pain. He has also co-authored evidence-based guidelines for the use of opioids in the management of chronic non-cancer pain. He is a member of the coalition invited by the North American Spine Society. Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Brian Bruel is the associate professor of physical medicine & rehab and pain medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He also serves as the director of the pain medicine department and physical medicine and rehabilitation. He practices comprehensive pain management with expertise in cancer pain. He is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain medicine and earned his medical degree from the University of the East in the Philippines. He has bachelors degrees in physiology and kinesiology from San Francisco State University. He has recently been distinguished as a "Best Doctor in America" by Best Doctors, Inc.
Max Eckmann, MD Dr. Max Eckmann is an associate professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He has served on the faculty since 2008, and he became the director of pain medicine in 2011. Dr. Eckmann is active in post-graduate education, as the UTHSCSA Pain Medicine Fellowship Program Director, as a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Pain and Regional Anesthesia Education Track Committees, and as an oral board examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiologist. Additionally he holds significant roles in administration, quality improvement, and research. As the current President of the San Antonio Texas Pain Society chapter, Dr. Eckmann also serves on the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine planning committee. Curriculum Vitae Past Presidents
In Memory of Samuel J. Hassenbusch, III, MD, PhD - A Celebration of His Life
Samuel “Sam” Hassenbusch, III, MD, PhD lost his fight with glioblastoma multiforme on February 25, 2008, at home in the company of his beloved family. His family and the entire pain community deeply mourn his passing. We have lost one of our true shining stars. Hassenbusch was born on February 6, 1954 in St. Joseph, MO. As he grew up under influence of his parents, Samuel and Suzanne, he achieved high marks at school and excelled at everything he tried, including playing both the violin and trumpet and becoming an Eagle Scout as he entered high school at Central High School. In 1970, while in high school, he met Rhonda Warner and fell in love. He and Rhonda married on May 23, 1972, in St. Joseph, MO. Hassenbusch attended Johns Hopkins University, where he excelled in obtaining both an MD and PhD. He stayed at Johns Hopkins to complete neurosurgical residency and his PhD in pharmacology. While living in Baltimore, Samuel “Jack” Hassenbusch IV was born in 1978, Jason Arthur was born in 1980, and Amanda Sue was born in 1982. The family stayed in Baltimore until 1988, with Hassenbusch serving as an instructor at the Johns Hopkins' department of neurosurgery. In 1988, the family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, where Hassenbusch continued his career as a neurosurgeon at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, specializing in pain medicine. He remained at the Cleveland Clinic until 1993, as a neurosurgical pain specialist of distinction. Finally, in 1993, the Hassenbusch family relocated to Houston, Texas, where Hassenbusch continued his career at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, which he joined as an assistant professor in the department of neurosurgery, division of surgery, with a co-appointment in anesthesiology and pain medicine. In 1998, he became an associate professor with tenure and, in 2001, a professor in the department of neurosurgery in the division of surgery. Beginning in 2005, he was also the medical director of the physicians referral service at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and went on to become an associate professor in the department of neurosurgery, division of surgery, at Baylor College of Medicine in 2006. It is difficult to capture the essence and energy of Hassenbusch on paper. He was a scholar, friend, trusted colleague, loving husband and father, wonderful spirited adventurer, patient advocate, philanthropist, evangelist, auto mechanic/enthusiast, gifted surgeon, leader, and – sadly – cancer patient. He served in so many leadership roles and earned so many, many awards during his too-brief 54 years of life; an all-encompassing listing of them would go on for pages. Some selected roles/awards include: past president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, past president of the Texas Pain Society, past president of the Texas Society for Neurological Surgeons, past president of the North American Neurological Surgery Society, and awards including the Distinguished Service Award from the American Neuromodulation Society, the World Institute of Pain, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, and the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies, to name a few. Hassenbusch contributed greatly to the scholarship of the pain medicine field and traveled the world speaking and teaching at medical congresses. He published more than 25 book chapters and 50 peer-reviewed articles, and in 2002, he aired on a Houston medical TV show concerning one of his patients (Marnie Rose) with a brain tumor. He subsequently contributed much love, energy, and time to the Marnie Rose Foundation. In May of 2005, Hassenbusch was diagnosed with glioblastoma in the right frontal lobe. After surgery to remove the tumor, he embarked on a novel research protocol that he helped design. He was very public with his diagnosis and experiences as a cancer patient, appearing in print and media regularly as an outspoken advocate for patient issues and funding for medical research. His journey as a cancer patient was inspirational for countless patients and friends. During his cancer journey, many articles were written about him, including those published in The Houston Chronicle, Texas Monthly, and Newsweek, as well as a story that aired on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric. Hassenbusch was an amazing man that I (AB) had the privilege to work with at MD Anderson since 2000. He was so completely “in the moment,” whether talking about patient care, reimbursement issues, a research project, an upcoming family vacation, a grandchild, a bible verse, his beloved Rhonda, his beloved children, or his nearly-as-beloved Dodge Charger or Victory Vegas motorcycle! He was loved by so many, and he openly loved them right back. He truly loved life and is gone too soon. |
Secretary: Gulshan Doulatram, MD (2024-2026)
Treasurer: Tim Zoys, MD (2022 - 2024)
Stephanie Jones, MD
Carlos O. Viesca, MD 
Allen Dennis, MD, DABD, DABIPP
Baominh P. Vinh, MD
Shiraz Yazdani, 
Robbyn Wysocki, JD
Cheryl White, MD
Immediate Past President: Ralph G. Menard, MD (2024 - 2026)
C. M. Schade, MD, PhD
Brian Bruel, MD 
