ABOUT US

Dr. Kushang Patel

Gerontologist and Principal Investigator

Kushang Patel is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Washington. He completed doctoral and postdoctoral training in epidemiology, gerontology, and health disparities research at the University of Texas Medical Branch and National Institute on Aging/NIH. His research investigates the epidemiology of pain and aging, outcomes assessment in clinical trials and observational studies, and behavioral interventions to improve pain management in older adults.

Dr. Elizabeth Phelan

Geriatrician and Co-Investigator

Elizabeth A. Phelan, MD, MS, is associate professor, Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine, adjunct associate professor of Health Services, UW School of Public Health, and affiliate investigator with the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (formerly, Group Health Research Institute). She is director of the Northwest Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Center and founding director of the UW Medicine Fall Prevention Clinic. Her research typically involves collaborative partnerships with healthcare and community organizations that serve older persons.

Dr. Laura Gibbons

Biostatistician and Co-Investigator

Laura Gibbons is a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of General Internal Medicine at the University of Washington, where she specializes in measurement issues, particularly related to cognitive aging, and serves as a core biostatistician for the UW Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. She has also worked on numerous intervention studies with older adults and with people with multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Drew Strurgeon

Psychologist and Co-Investigator

John (Drew) Sturgeon is a fellowship-trained, licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He completed his PhD in clinical psychology at Arizona State University and postdoctoral pain psychology fellowship in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He has been extensively trained and continues to treat people with chronic pain using a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and emotion- and meditation-focused approaches to pain management.

Dr. Dennis Turk

Psychologist and Co-Investigator

Dennis Turk, PhD is the John and Emma Bonica Endowed Chair of Anesthesiology & Pain Research and Professor of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine at the University of Washington. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the Clinical Journal of Pain. Dr. Turk’s research has focused on the assessment and treatment of a range of chronic pain conditions, clinical trial design, subgroup identification and treatment matching, and coping and adaptation.

Jamie Hunter-Mitchell

Enhance Fitness Instructor

Jamie has been dedicated to helping people make healthy choices for more than 25 years. She was a member of the original Enhance Fitness team that was responsible for community-wide implementation. Now, Jamie is using her skills to deliver the Enhance Fitness Program virtually to assure that older adults have access to evidence-based physical exercise. Jamie holds a BA from Seattle Pacific University and a professional certificate in Gerontology from the University of Washington.

Elise Hoffman

Research Coordinator

Elise Hoffman is a Research Coordinator in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Washington. She received a Bachelors of Science in Public Health-Global Health at the University of Washington.

Melanie Herbert

Research Study Assistant

Melanie is a Research Study Assistant in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. She received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Washington.

Caroline Jung

Research Study Coordinator

Caroline is a Research Study Coordinator in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. She received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Seattle Pacific University.

Louisa Sopher