Retired Army Col. Dr. Chester "Trip" Buckenmaier, a 1986 Catawba alumnus, was recognized Sept. 24 as the recipient of the prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2015 Director's Award for his contributions to pain management. Buckenmaier, director of Uniformed Services University's Defense and Veteran's Center for Integrative Pain Management and a member of the National Pain Strategy Group, received the award from NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., at the annual Director's Award Ceremony held at Natcher Conference Center, NIH.
The NIH Director's Award recognizes individuals who exhibit outstanding contributions, beyond regular attendance, to a special committee or task for dealing with NIH-wide policies, producers or operations; an unusual display of leadership promoting the advancement of the understanding or application of scientific phenomena, processes or problems; extraordinary achievement in the application of scientific principles and methods to improve the efficiency or extend the benefits of the NIH; discovery or invention of a new principle, process or device of a scientific nature resulting in substantial benefit; remarkable competence, compassion, or heroism in an emergency situation at NIH; sustained and exceptional performance beyond regular duty requirements in carrying out a difficult task; or superior skill and leadership in science.
"Dr. Buckenmaier has been instrumental in addressing the nation's serious problems of pain -- especially chronic pain -- and its associated complications from conventional approaches, especially chronic opioid use. The Tri-Service and VA partnerships he has helped build are making a difference," said Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Eric B. Schoomaker, vice chair for Centers and Programs in the Department of Military and Emergency Medicine at USU.
