Another year has come and gone, and we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the success the Texas Pain Society has seen in 2025, as well as thank our members for being a part of it all…

We started off strong with a virtual CME event on February 27: Statewide Discussion Of Challenges Pain Physicians Are Facing With Opioids. Thank you to all of our speakers and attendees.

As usual, much time was spent advocating for the pain medicine industry. Drs. Lakshmi Koyyalagunta, Gulshan Doulatram, Stephanie Jones, Allen Dennis, Mitch Engle, Tim Zoys, and Baominh Vinh met with numerous legislative offices in February, March, and April, discussing appropriate pain management care and the unique needs of pain patients in Texas.

In May, TPS participated in the Texas Medical Association's annual TexMed meeting; find all the details here. 

Last week, the Texas Pain Society (TPS) hosted another successful annual meeting. “The quality of lectures was outstanding this year,” TPS President Dr. Dhanalakshmi Koyyalagunta said. 

The meeting kicked off with several pre-conference workshops focused on technology, addiction, and a hands-on ultrasound workshop. Friday night featured an exhibit hall reception with a mobile putt-putt course, courtesy of Portable Putters, and live jazz music from Bobby Salazar. Saturday was a full day of CME with keynote note speakers and panels covering topics ranging from medical cannabis and spinal cord stimulation to rheumatology and pediatric pain care. 

After our first annual Pain Fellow’s Day and in anticipation of the Texas Pain Society 17th Annual Scientific Conference, we gathered information about fellowship programs around the state. 

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) had one fellow, Karla Samaniego, in the McGovern Medical School's Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine’s Pain Management Fellowship.

1. What makes this program unique for pain fellows? 

The program stands out for its high procedural and advanced procedural volume, giving fellows extensive exposure to everything from routine injections to cutting-edge techniques like spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal pumps, kyphoplasty, sacroiliac joint fusion, and peripheral nerve stimulation. It also provides flexibility to tailor the fellowship through elective rotations, including opportunities with private practice physicians, so fellows gain insight into different practice models. Ultimately, the focus is on ensuring fellows graduate with the skills and experience needed to thrive in private practice or academic settings, with strong procedural competence and a clear understanding of comprehensive pain management.

The Texas Pain Society (TPS) held its inaugural Pain Fellow's Day on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

The virtual event featured insight from experts on topics such as healthcare policy and scope of practice, brought together pain fellows from all across Texas, and was the result of the year-long efforts of TPS President Dhanalakshmi Koyyalagunta, MD and Saba Javed, M.D.

Dr. Koyyalagunta’s opening remarks summed up the current industry perfectly. “We’re meeting at a time when the practice of pain medicine is changing rapidly. Alongside advances in procedures and new evidence-based treatments, we face evolving realities—insurance barriers, prior authorization delays, changing reimbursement models, and pharmacy-related challenges such as shortages, tighter prescribing rules, and variable coverage. As fellows, you have a unique opportunity to engage early—not only as clinicians but also as advocates.” 

It is an exciting time, and joining an organization like the Texas Pain Society, one of the largest and most active state pain societies in the country, is a powerful way to be involved. Through TPS, members can help influence policy, learn how to navigate legislative and insurance changes, and ensure patients’ needs are represented at the state and national level.

For over 20 years, the Texas Pain Society (TPS) has presented a pain medicine-specific lecture at the Texas Medical Association (TMA) annual meeting, TexMed. This year’s event was held at the beautiful JW Marriott Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas. 

It was a busy weekend, as Drs. Brian Bruel, Shiraz Yazdani, Dhanalakshmi Koyyalagunta, and Baominh Vinh participated in a TMA House of Delegate meeting, while Drs. Miles Day and Max Eckmann teamed up for an “Updates In Pain Medicine for Opioid Prescribing, UDT Testing Pearls, and PMP Interpretation” presentation.

There was a full room of physicians actively listening and taking notes, as well as a very engaging and lively question and answer session. 

The Texas Pain Society recently announced this year’s winners of the Racz-Raj Pain Medicine Case Studies and Hassenbusch Continued Learning Scholarships, and the case study presentations are happening live at the TPS 16th Annual Scientific Conference next week.

For an in-depth look at pain fellowship training in Texas, we spoke with the following programs:

Program: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Pain Medicine Fellowship 

Fellows: Rohan Adiga, MD, Vishal Bansal, MD, Jeff Cao, MD, Marissa Catalanotto, MD, Noushad Mamun, DO, Christian Vangeison, DO

This year, the Texas Pain Society was honored to present the Schade-Hill Public Policy Award to Stefanie Turner, founder of the nonprofit Texas Against Fentanyl. 

Each year at its annual conference, the Texas Pain Society (TPS) gives out awards to distinguished individuals in the pain industry. One such honor is the Schade-Hill Public Policy Award, which was inspired by the countless hours that Drs. C.M. Schade and Stratton Hill dedicated to TPS, in order to help craft the pain medicine laws that govern Texas today. In its eleventh year, the award recognizes outstanding work that has made a positive change in the world of pain medicine, and this year – during the TPS 15th Annual Scientific Conference – it went to Stefanie Turner.

Turner lost her 19-year-old son, Tucker Roe, after he purchased one illicit fentanyl pill from a peer on social media. After he passed, she began sharing his story and educating others on the deadly effects of this dangerous drug. Texas Against Fentanyl (TXAF), a 501c3 nonprofit, was born.

Her work didn’t stop there, though.

Pain physicians from across the state met at the Capitol in Austin, in order to spread awareness of pain medicine topics to policymakers in Texas.

On March 23, Texas Pain Society members traveled from all over the state to meet with legislators and discuss issues relevant to pain medicine. 

The participants were:

• C.M. Schade, M.D. of Advanced Pain Solutions

• Heidi Seifert, M.D.

 Where are they now? Read what previous Case Study and Scholarship winners have been up to...

Previous Winner of the 2020 Hassenbusch Continued Learning Case Study Presentation and 2021 Hassenbusch Continued Learning Scholarship

George Polson MD

Previous Winner of the 2021 Hassenbusch Continued Learning Case Study Presentation

Grayson Koval, MD

Pain fellow at Texas Tech when award was received. 

In what ways have you used what you presented in your recent practice?
I have used my case study to remind myself of the importance of being a clinician who thoroughly evaluates his patients. 

What professional development have you gone through since your award? 
Since last year, I have finished my fellowship, been board certified in anesthesia, and started a private practice job in Midland, TX. 

Where are you working now? Midland Spine Institute in Midland, TX.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to a Fellow going into PM? Take advantage of every learning opportunity in fellowship
 

Previous Winner of the 2021 Hassenbusch Continued Learning Case Study Presentation

Adedeji Olusanya DO, MPH

• At University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio when award was received. 
  
  
• In what ways have you used what you presented in your recent practice? 
  I was able to talk about spinal stenosis and different treatment approaches on rotations 
  
  
• What professional development have you gone through since your award?  Since the last conference, I have been able to attend more national pain conferences where I was able to net work with other fellows, and pain physicians. I also have and the opportunity to join numerous of webinars where I was able to expand my knowledge in pain medicine, patient management, and new innovative procedure to help shape the future of pain medicine.
  
  Where are you working now? Right now I am PGY-3  at university of Texas Health science Center at San Antonio. This year, I will be applying for the next pain fellowship cycle.
  
  What's one piece of advice you'd give to a Fellow going into PM? I wouldn’t imagine that I could give a Fellow much advice. But what I would say to a resident or medical student that is interested in pain, is to get into research early! Also networking while attending pain conferences is vital. Interventional pain is a small field, it is important to know your colleagues!

 Previous Winner of the  2021 Hassenbusch Continued Learning Scholarship

Vishal Bansal, MD 

Where are you working now? 
Resident Physician (PGY-3) and will be applying for Pain Medicine fellowship

What's one piece of advice you'd give to a Fellow going into PM?
One piece of advice I would have for residents considering pain medicine fellowship would be to get involved with research and attend regional and national conferences in Pain Medicine. Research or publications is often a great way for yourself to get familiar with a particular topic and to also form connections with other pain physicians. Conferences are a great way to meet future colleagues and learn about the current practices and latest advances in pain medicine, making you well equipped to start your journey into pain medicine fellowship. 

 Previous Winner of the 2019, 2020 & 2021 Hassenbusch Continued Learning Case Study Presentation

Joseph Liao, M.D.

When award was received, Dr. Liao was at the University of Texas - Houston, Department of Anesthesiology

In what ways have you used what you presented in your recent practice? The majority of my studies involved interventional procedures in the treatment of refractory pain conditions. Presenting complex scenarios and receiving feedback from the physician leaders in Texas have shaped how I approach patient care, especially when it comes to patient selection and determining what next steps may possibly be offered to patients. The moderators and seasoned pain physicians at Texas Pain Society have a wealth of knowledge and invaluable experience.

What professional development have you gone through since your award? 
I am an anesthesiologist and pain management fellow at Stanford University. My goal is to offer my patients quality, best-in-class treatments. I am also working towards being more involved in industry and physician leadership. 

Be sure to use #TexasPain!

Read about all the awards given at the Conference. 

Virtual Session Opioid and Diversion Awareness: The Current State of the Opioid Epidemic is closed but watch for new sessions in September

This virtual Event in July has sold out. However,  the same conference will be offered again on September 7 & 16, 2021. The sign up for the September event will be sent out in the coming weeks before September. Please check the DEA Diversion website for any additional conferences.

Any questions regarding this conference may be directed to DEA Liaison Section at [email protected].