Leadership Transitions and New Voices on AAPM’s Pain Matters Podcast
AAPM is pleased to announce the next evolution of the Pain Matters podcast. As founding host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, steps away to pursue new professional opportunities, the Academy welcomes a distinguished new host and two co-hosts who will carry forward the podcast’s academic focus and multidisciplinary vision.
Beginning this season, Sudheer Potru, DO, FASA, FASAM, will assume the role of primary host. He will be joined by Zafeer Baber, MD, and returning co-host Mustafa Broachwala, DO. Together, they bring a wealth of clinical, academic, and leadership experience that will enrich the podcast’s contribution to the field.
Recognizing the Founding Host: Dr. Shravani Durbhakula
Dr. Durbhakula’s work on Pain Matters helped establish the podcast as an educational and professional resource within the pain medicine community. Her interviews explored complex topics at the intersection of clinical practice, policy, equity, and innovation, setting a standard for intellectual rigor and thoughtful discourse.
With dual appointments in anesthesiology and public health, Dr. Durbhakula modeled the kind of interdisciplinary thinking that defines modern pain care. AAPM thanks her for her foundational role and lasting contributions to the platform.
Incoming Host: Sudheer Potru, DO, FASA, FASAM
Dr. Sudheer Potru, Former Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Emory University School of Medicine and Medical Director of the Complex Pain and High-Risk Opioid Clinic at the Atlanta VA Healthcare System.
Dr. Potru is board certified in pain medicine, anesthesiology, and addiction medicine. His academic portfolio includes leadership roles with AAPM, ASRA Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. A recipient of the 2023 ASRA Excellence in Education Award, he is widely regarded for his national lectures and educational scholarship on topics such as opioid stewardship and interdisciplinary pain management.
New Co-Host: Zafeer Baber, MD
Joining the podcast as Co-Host is, Dr. Zafeer Baber, a board-certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine physician at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Clinical Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. He brings extensive academic and media experience to his new role as podcast host.
Dr. Baber previously hosted Medicine in the News on SiriusXM Radio and holds a Master of Liberal Arts in Journalism from Harvard University. His clinical work has been featured in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, JAMA Network Open, and other peer-reviewed journals. He has been recognized as a “Top Doctor” by Boston Magazine for the past two years.
As host, Dr. Baber aims to elevate clinically relevant topics while engaging a broader dialogue on pain management strategies, translational research, and evolving public health dynamics.
Returning Co-Host: Mustafa Broachwala, DO
Dr. Mustafa Broachwala, an Interventional Pian Fellow at the University of California San Diego, returns as co-host. He is passionate about advancing the field of pain medicine through evidence-based practices and clinical innovation. Whether mentoring future physicians or publishing impactful research, his goal is to improve patient outcomes and expand the possibilities of neuromodulation and interventional pain.
Dr. Broachwala’s contributions to Pain Matters have helped establish its reputation for grounded, practice-informed discussion. His return ensures continuity and supports the academic consistency listeners have come to expect.
Advancing Dialogue in Pain Medicine
With this new hosting team, Pain Matters remains committed to serving as a platform for peer learning, professional growth, and academic advancement. The podcast will continue to feature evidence-informed discussion, clinical perspectives, and thought leadership across the continuum of pain care.
We invite AAPM members and colleagues to subscribe and engage with upcoming episodes at painmed.org/podcast. Your participation helps shape a more informed, connected, and impactful pain medicine community.