HealthyWomen’s Chronic Pain Advisory Council

Chronic pain for women is real.

In fact, one in three women in this country live with chronic pain that affects their quality of life. Yet, women's pain is too often misdiagnosed, minimized and undertreated or inappropriately treated.

HealthyWomen's Chronic Pain Advisory Council focuses on issues that advance the chronic pain dialogue while recognizing the importance of racial, gender and cultural differences. This group of 14 renowned experts lend their expertise to amplify issues relevant to women in midlife, raise awareness on knowledge gaps, create in-depth content and resources, and collaborate with stakeholders to advance pain policy and advocacy.

"Although millions of women suffer from chronic pain, it can be extremely difficult to diagnose and treat and can have a negative effect on quality of life," said Monica Mallampalli, Ph.D., HealthyWomen's advisor for scientific and strategic initiatives. "By bringing a diverse group of experts and advocates from the policy, research and education side, we can be the catalyst for change that is so desperately needed."

Meet the members of HealthyWomen's Chronic Pain Advisory Council

Ann Quinlan-Colwell PhD, RNC, AHN-BC, DAAPM
Clinical Nurse Specialist, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Faculty Member, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Independent Pain Management Educator Consultant

Carmen Green, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology, OB-GYN, and Health Management & Policy, University of Michigan

Cathy Cartwright
Chronic Pain Advocate

Christin Veasley, BSc
Co-Founder & Director, Chronic Pain Research Alliance

Cindy Steinberg
National Director of Policy & Advocacy
U.S. Pain Foundation
Chair, Policy Council
Massachusetts Pain Initiative

Cynthia Toussaint
Founder and Spokesperson, For Grace: Women In Pain

Donna Kalauokalani, MD, MPH
Co-Founder, Missouri Pain Initiative, Director of Pain Telemedicine Clinic at the Center for Health Technology at UCD Medical Center

Jaime M. Sanders
Diversity in Headache Advisory Council, Leadership Role
CHAMP Affiliate Organization Patient Opinion Leader/Advocate & Blogger, The Migraine Diva