PainConnect 2025: Honoring Our Travel Grant Recipients and the Power of Connection
For the first time in several years, the AAPM Foundation proudly reintroduced its Travel Grant program—and the timing couldn’t have been better. PainConnect 2025 marked a pivotal moment in pain medicine, bringing together clinicians, researchers, and innovators in Austin, Texas for an experience defined by collaboration and vision. Through this revived initiative, the Foundation supported a cohort of exceptional early-career professionals whose presence not only amplified the energy of the meeting, but also reminded us why investing in the future of our field matters so deeply.
This year’s awardees included Christopher L. Robinson, MD, PhD, Elizabeth Leimer, MD, PhD, Paroma Arefin, and Harmon Chopra—each representing a unique perspective within the multidisciplinary landscape of pain care. Their reflections not only underscore the impact of the conference on their personal and professional growth but also reveal the larger story of where our field is headed.
In his powerful reflection, Dr. Christopher Robinson, a physician-scientist and Innovation Challenge finalist, captured the spirit of the meeting perfectly: “The future of pain medicine is through the connections that we make and maintain.” As part of the Innovation Challenge at PainConnect 2025, Dr. Robinson witnessed firsthand the ingenuity and drive of early-career professionals tackling persistent challenges in pain care with bold, actionable solutions. Though only one team could win, the spirit of innovation was palpable in every pitch. Dr. Robinson and fellow awardee Dr. Elizabeth Leimer were instrumental in demonstrating how clinician-scientists can bridge clinical insight with disruptive thinking.
Paroma Arefin, a PhD student from the University of Houston, brought a rich academic lens to the meeting through her ongoing research in health outcomes and disparities in pain care. With a focus on elderly patients experiencing joint and arthritis pain, Paroma found PainConnect to be a fertile ground for new ideas and collaboration. She noted the conference’s embrace of precision medicine and equity-centered policy research—areas closely aligned with her work in opioid use, quality of life, and racial disparities. From real-world EHR data applications to discussions on socioeconomic barriers in pain care, her experience underscored how research and practice must evolve together.
Returning awardee Harmon Chopra reflected on the growing energy and inclusiveness at PainConnect, especially among younger participants. From undergraduates to early-career clinicians, Harmon described a conference culture that encourages bold thinking, fosters cross-disciplinary creativity, and strengthens personal and professional networks. His perspective, shaped by multiple years of attendance, highlighted the continuity of mentorship and the expanding accessibility of pain innovation.
