The Eastern Pain Association: 60-Years in Pain Management
A Multidisciplinary National Organization
Get to Know Us
In 1964, Dr. B. Berthold Wolff and Dr. Thomas G. Kantor established the informal New York Pain Group, which met monthly at the NYU Medical Center. Approximately 30 pain clinicians and researchers from the Greater New York Metropolitan area gathered to discuss various pain-related research projects and clinical topics.
Following the formation of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) in 1973, Dr. John J. Bonica suggested to Dr. Wolff that the group expand to include the New England states, along with participation from the Middle Atlantic and Southern states. In response, Dr. Wolff founded the Eastern Pain Association (EPA) in 1974, encompassing all states east of the Rockies. In 1975, the EPA became one of the first regional chapters of the larger International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).
Our presidents
In Memoriam: B. Berthold Wolff, PhD
In Memoriam: Ada Rogers, R.N., the Pain Lady
Ada Rogers, R.N., held the title of research associate and clinical coordinator of the Analgesic Studies Section at the Sloan-Kettering Institute and was a pain consultant at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for more than 35 years. In 1951, Ada joined Raymond Houde and Stanley Walenstein as the first nurse observer. Together this team formulated the methodology of assaying analgesics, utilizing the double-blind technique, and randomized graded doses and placebo controls, that became the standard methodology for determining the relative potency of most of the opioid analgesics we use clinically today.
Ada gave generously of her time and was a mentor to countless observers that came to Memorial to learn how to conduct analgesic studies. It was well recognized by the fellows and staff at Memorial that if you wanted to learn how to use analgesics follow Ada around the wards. Patients who returned to Memorial would request to see the Pain Lady because she had provided compassionate care for them. Early on Ada took a special interest in the then neglected area of the measurement of pediatric pain and with Ray developed the happy-sad faces survey tool and showed that the faces could be used to measure pain intensity and pain relief in very young children.
For all of these contributions Ada has received many honors and awards and today we are honoring her as the EPA Pain Lady.