Psychiatry Grand Rounds: "Transforming Pain Care in America: Promoting Adaptive Pain Self-Management"
Dr. Robert D. Kerns is Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Psychology at Yale University. He recently retired from VA Connecticut Healthcare System (VACHS) and service to the Department of Veterans Affairs following a nearly 38 year career during which time he served as VACHS Chief of Psychology (1987-2008) and founding Director of the Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities, and Education (PRIME) Center of Innovation (2008-2016), and as VA National Program Director for Pain Management (2006-2013). He received his bachelor's degree in Psychology from West Virginia University in 1974 and his doctorate in Bioclinical Psychology from Southern Illinois University in 1980. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, and he has held leadership positions in these and other professional and scientific societies. Dr. Kerns' primary area of scholarly and academic interest is in the fields of behavioral medicine and health psychology, with a more specific interest and expertise in the area of pain and pain management. He has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and books, and he frequently delivers invited addresses at professional and scientific meetings.