Pain Management: Road Map to Revolution.

Steven Z. George, PT, PhD, is a profound scholar whose contributions to the science of musculoskeletal pain rehabilitation have been both impactful and innovative to the area of clinical practice, as well as the profession at large. Highly regarded as an expert in pain-related psychosocial factors and their impact on rehabilitative outcomes, George is a clinical researcher decorated with accolades, ranging from substantial grant funding to high-impact publications. After 14 years at the University of Florida, George is currently Director of Musculoskeletal Research, Duke Clinical Research Institute, and Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Orthopaedic Surgery, at Duke University. He completed postdoctoral training in pain science and rehabilitation outcomes at the University of Florida and holds a PhD in rehabilitation science and MS in orthopedic physical therapy from the University of Pittsburgh and a BS in physical therapy from the West Virginia University School of Medicine. In his research, George has a primary theme focused on the use of biopsychosocial models to prevent and treat chronic musculoskeletal pain. Specific research areas include the effects of manual therapy on pain sensitivity, genetic and psychological risk factors associated with persistent pain and disability, and behavioral interventions for low back pain. Having authored over 185 peer-reviewed publications in physical therapy, orthopedic, rehabilitation, and pain research journals, George exemplifies a noteworthy level of compassion to improving the profession's, as well as society's, understanding of how to effectively provide pain relief. He is an editorial board member for Physical Therapy and Journal of Pain. He is also an International Editorial Review Board member for the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. George's dedication has been highlighted through various awards, including the John C. Liebeskind Early Career Scholar Award from the American Pain Society, the Ulf Lindblom Young Investigator Award for Clinical Sciences from the International Association for the Study of Pain, the Florida Physical Therapy Association's Award for Scholarly Impact on Practice, and APTA's Jules M. Rothstein Golden Pen Award and Eugene Michels New Investigator Award. In 2014, George's innovative knowledge contributed to being identified by Expertscape as the 10th-ranked world expert for scholarly contributions to the understanding and treatment of back pain. Expertscape's ranking, based on the quantity and quality of peer-reviewed clinical research publications in the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database, highlights George's status as a visionary in the profession. For his advocacy toward conducting meaningful research, expertise on pain management, and profound impact beyond published works, APTA is pleased to honor Steven Z. George as the 2016 John H.P. Maley Lecturer.

Duke Scholars

Author Steven Zachary George Orthopaedic Surgery