This month, AAPM is proud to spotlight Dr. Sara Davin, PsyD, MPH, as February’s Member Focus, a pain psychologist, public health leader, and director of the Center for Pain Recovery at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Spine Health. Her work exemplifies the powerful intersection of clinical psychology and medical complexity, grounded in compassion, collaboration, and a deep respect for the lived experiences of people in pain.

Dr. Davin leads a multidisciplinary team of chronic pain specialists within the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic, where she helps shape patient-centered care programs that integrate both mind and body. Her approach draws on early experiences in public health, where she developed health promotion and prevention programs at IU Health and led population health initiatives for employer-based wellness programs.

“What makes my career meaningful is being a witness to the incredibly hard and powerful work that my patients put in for the purposes of having a better life,” she shares.

Her passion for pain psychology took root during her first clinical rotation in pain management. She was struck by the overlap between life stories, emotional health, and the physical challenges of chronic pain, and the need for integrated, empathetic approaches to care.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Davin is a dedicated endurance runner. One of her favorite places is the “pain cave”, the mental and physical space she enters during half and full marathons. It’s a place of discomfort, yes, but also of growth, a theme echoed in her favorite quote by Viktor Frankl:

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

Dr. Davin’s blend of psychological insight, public health vision, and human-centered care makes her an invaluable leader in the field. We’re honored to feature her as February’s AAPM Member Focus.