David A. Edwards

Personal Physician
520 Duke Drive, Suite 200, 37067, Franklin, US.

About

Highly accomplished Physician-Scientist and Board-Certified Anesthesiologist with over two decades of experience in pain medicine, research, and medical education. Proven leader in developing innovative pain management strategies, conducting impactful clinical research, and shaping healthcare policy to optimize patient outcomes. Leverages deep expertise in advanced regional anesthesia, opioid stewardship, and machine learning to drive significant improvements in clinical practice and educational programs.

Work

Paradigm Health Asset Management LLC
|

Co-owner

Franklin, TN, US

Summary

Co-led a healthcare asset management venture, overseeing strategic investments and operational efficiencies to support healthcare delivery.

Highlights

Co-founded and managed a new asset management entity, establishing foundational operational frameworks and strategic investment priorities.

Drove initial business development efforts, securing key partnerships to expand the venture's portfolio and market presence.

Implemented robust financial management practices, ensuring fiscal responsibility and optimizing asset performance.

St. Louis University Hospital
|

Anesthesiologist

St. Louis, MO, US

Summary

Provided comprehensive anesthesiology services, ensuring optimal patient care during surgical procedures.

Highlights

Administered diverse anesthesia types for complex surgical cases, maintaining high standards of patient safety and comfort.

Managed perioperative patient care, including pre-operative assessments and post-operative pain control, for a wide range of procedures.

Collaborated effectively with surgical teams to optimize patient outcomes and streamline operating room efficiency.

Paradigm Health PLLC
|

Co-owner

Franklin, TN, US

Summary

Co-founded and managed a healthcare practice, overseeing clinical operations and business development.

Highlights

Launched a new healthcare practice, developing comprehensive business plans and operational strategies for successful market entry.

Managed all aspects of clinical service delivery, ensuring high-quality patient care and operational efficiency.

Drove patient acquisition and retention strategies, contributing to the establishment of a robust patient base within the first year.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
|

Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Neurological Surgery

Nashville, TN, US

Summary

Advanced academic and clinical leadership in Anesthesiology and Neurological Surgery, integrating teaching, research, and patient care.

Highlights

Led and co-directed the Vanderbilt Medical School Integrated Science Course on Pain, Policy, and Addiction, impacting hundreds of medical students annually.

Chaired the Pain Collaborative Oversight Committee, driving strategic initiatives to enhance interdisciplinary pain management across the medical center.

Mentored over 10 junior faculty and residents in pain management and research, fostering the next generation of medical professionals.

Published 15+ peer-reviewed articles and book chapters during this tenure, advancing knowledge in pain medicine and opioid stewardship.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
|

Division Chief, Pain Medicine

Nashville, TN, US

Summary

Directed the Pain Medicine Division, overseeing clinical operations, strategic planning, and program development.

Highlights

Provided strategic leadership for the Pain Medicine Division, overseeing a team of 10+ clinicians and researchers to enhance patient care and research output.

Co-chaired the Vanderbilt Opioid Stewardship & Safety Council, developing and implementing protocols that contributed to a significant reduction in opioid misuse.

Directed the Interventional Cancer Pain Board, improving multidisciplinary approaches to complex cancer pain management for hundreds of patients.

Spearheaded initiatives to integrate machine learning into pain prediction models, presenting findings at national conferences and improving diagnostic accuracy.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
|

Clinical Service Chief, Chronic Pain Service

Nashville, TN, US

Summary

Managed clinical operations for the Chronic Pain Service, ensuring high-quality patient care and operational efficiency.

Highlights

Oversaw daily clinical operations for the Chronic Pain Service, managing a high patient volume and optimizing workflow efficiency.

Implemented new patient care pathways that improved patient satisfaction scores by 15% and reduced wait times for specialized procedures.

Led a team of pain specialists in delivering comprehensive care, enhancing the service's reputation for excellence in chronic pain management.

Contributed to the development of an ERAS Protocol in Spine, funded by a $60,000 grant, improving post-surgical recovery and pain control.

Massachusetts General Hospital
|

Director, Acute Pain Service

Boston, MA, US

Summary

Directed the Acute Pain Service, optimizing perioperative pain management and enhancing patient safety.

Highlights

Led the Acute Pain Service, overseeing the management of perioperative pain for thousands of patients annually.

Co-Principal Investigator on a CRICO Risk Management Grant ($40,000) for improving patient safety with smart monitoring for patient-controlled analgesia.

Implemented pain care redesign initiatives, which improved patient outcomes and streamlined interdepartmental collaboration.

Trained 5 pain fellows and ED residents in airway management over 10 intensive sessions, enhancing clinical competency.

Harvard Medical School
|

Instructor

Boston, MA, US

Summary

Instructed medical students and residents, integrating advanced research and clinical practice in anesthesiology.

Highlights

Delivered lectures and workshops on regional anesthesia, pain management, and neurodegenerative research to medical students and residents.

Trained 20+ faculty members in advanced regional anesthesia techniques using mixed-reality simulation, enhancing procedural proficiency.

Contributed to multiple research projects, including studies on endocannabinoid systems and machine learning applications in pain prediction.

Served as Team Lead for the Pain Care Redesign Committee, optimizing patient pathways and resource allocation.

Education

Harvard University
Boston, MA, United States of America

Fellowship

Pain Medicine

University of Florida
Gainesville, FL, United States of America

Residency

Anesthesiology

University of Florida
Gainesville, FL, United States of America

Chief Resident

Anesthesiology

University of Maryland
Baltimore, MD, United States of America

M.D.

Medicine

University of Maryland
Baltimore, MD, United States of America

Ph.D.

Physiology

Brigham Young University
Provo, UT, United States of America

B.S.

Honors Zoology and University Honors

Awards

American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) Presidential Commendation

Awarded By

American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM)

Recognized for outstanding service on the Educational Committee and Annual Meeting Planning Committee.

B.E. Smith Mentorship Award

Awarded By

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology

Awarded for exceptional mentorship contributions within the department.

Inductee into The Academy of Excellence in Education (AEE)

Awarded By

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Recognized for sustained excellence and innovation in medical education.

Partners in Excellence

Awarded By

Massachusetts General Hospital

Honoring contributions to the Pediatric Pain Service.

Exceptional Resident of the Year

Awarded By

University of Florida, Department of Anesthesiology

Recognized for outstanding performance and dedication as a resident.

Chairman's Award

Awarded By

University of Florida, Department of Anesthesiology

Awarded for outstanding service and dedication.

Original Research Presentation: 1st place award

Awarded By

Gulf Atlantic Anesthesia Residents' Research Conference

Awarded for leading original research presentation.

Resident Research Award

Awarded By

Resident Research Award Committee

Recognized for significant contributions to resident research.

Gravenstein Scholar

Awarded By

University of Florida, Department of Anesthesiology

Awarded for excellence in departmental academic research program.

Publications

Effect of Smartphone App-Based Education on Clinician Prescribing Habits in a Learning Health Care System

Published by

JAMA Network Open

Summary

Investigated the impact of a smartphone app on clinician prescribing habits within a learning healthcare system.

Assessment of a Naloxone Coprescribing Alert for Patients at Risk of Opioid Overdose: A Quality Improvement Project

Published by

Anesthesia & Analgesia

Summary

Evaluated a quality improvement project on naloxone coprescribing alerts for opioid overdose risk.

Bridging Recovery Initiative Despite Gaps in Entry (BRIDGE): Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Bridge Clinic Compared with Usual Care for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder

Published by

Trials

Summary

Detailed the protocol for a randomized controlled trial comparing a bridge clinic to usual care for opioid use disorder.

Impact of an Asynchronous Spaced Education Learning Intervention on Emergency Medicine Clinician Opioid Prescribing

Published by

Cureus

Summary

Studied the effect of a spaced education intervention on opioid prescribing by emergency medicine clinicians.

American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Quality Initiative-4 Joint Consensus Statement on Persistent Postoperative Opioid Use

Published by

Anesthesia & Analgesia

Summary

Contributed to a consensus statement on persistent postoperative opioid use and quality initiatives.

Evaluating the impact of auto-calculation settings on opioid prescribing at an academic medical center

Published by

The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety

Summary

Analyzed how automated calculation settings influenced opioid prescribing practices in a medical center.

The association between endogenous opioid function and morphine responsiveness

Published by

Pain

Summary

Investigated the relationship between endogenous opioid function and patient response to morphine.

A novel approach to improving efficiency and cost saving in preoperative blood preparation

Published by

Transfusion

Summary

Presented an innovative method to enhance efficiency and reduce costs in preoperative blood preparation.

Development and patient satisfaction of a new telemedicine service for pain management at Massachusetts General Hospital

Published by

Pain Medicine

Summary

Detailed the development and patient satisfaction outcomes of a new telemedicine service for pain management.

Metaplastic control of the endocannabinoid system at inhibitory synapses in hippocampus

Published by

Proceedings of the National Academy of Science

Summary

Explored the metaplastic regulation of the endocannabinoid system in hippocampal inhibitory synapses.

Languages

English

Certificates

Medical License, Missouri

Issued By

Missouri Department of Health

Certification, Obesity Medicine, Diplomate

Issued By

The American Board of Obesity Medicine

License, Drug Enforcement Agency Addiction Treatment Waiver (XE3283102)

Issued By

Drug Enforcement Agency

Certification, EPIC Physician Builder

Issued By

EPIC

Medical License, Tennessee Department of Health (53012)

Issued By

Tennessee Department of Health

License, Drug Enforcement Agency (FE3283102)

Issued By

Drug Enforcement Agency

Certification, Pain Medicine

Issued By

The American Board of Anesthesiology (52571)

Certification, Anesthesiology

Issued By

The American Board of Anesthesiology (52571)

Medical License, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (250695)

Issued By

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Medical License, Florida Department of Health (ME113779)

Issued By

Florida Department of Health

Skills

Clinical Specialties

Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, Chronic Pain Management, Acute Pain Management, Neurological Surgery, Obesity Medicine, Regional Anesthesia, Perioperative Management, Opioid Stewardship, Patient Safety.

Research & Analytics

Clinical Research, Machine Learning, Data Analysis, Clinical Trials, Grant Writing, Scientific Publication, Biostatistics, Research Design, Epidemiology.

Medical Education

Curriculum Development, Medical Training, Mentorship, Lecturing, Workshop Facilitation, Faculty Development, Residency Program Management.

Leadership & Management

Clinical Leadership, Division Management, Program Direction, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership, Cross-functional Collaboration, Healthcare Operations, Policy Development.

Technical Skills

EPIC Physician Builder, Electronic Health Records (EHR), Data Repository Development, Medical Simulation, Diagnostic Imaging.

Healthcare Policy

Opioid Prescribing Guidelines, Controlled Substances Management, Public Health Crisis Response, Regulatory Compliance.

Projects

HEAL Initiative: Integrated Approach to Pain and Opioid Use in Hemodialysis Patients: The Hemodialysis Opioid Prescription Effort (HOPE) Consortium

Summary

Co-Principal Investigator on a NIH/NIDDK grant focused on integrated pain and opioid use management in hemodialysis patients.

Evaluating specific and non-specific mechanisms in two distinct complementary/integrative interventions for chronic pain

Summary

Co-Investigator on a NIH/NCCIH grant exploring mechanisms of complementary/integrative interventions for chronic pain.

Evaluation of state-mandated acute and post-surgical pain-specific CDC opioid prescribing guidelines

Summary

Site Principal Investigator on a NIH/NIDA grant evaluating state-mandated opioid prescribing guidelines.

Accelerating Recruitment and Maximizing Retention in HEAL Pain Studies

Summary

Co-Investigator on a NIH grant focused on improving recruitment and retention in HEAL pain studies.

Statewide cooperative agreement for emergency response: public health crisis response activities: web application & quiz-based educational program for healthcare providers

Summary

Co-Investigator on a Tennessee Department of Health Services and CDC grant for public health crisis response.

Open-label safety trial of intravenous neridronic acid in subjects with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

Summary

Site Principal Investigator on a Grunenthal-funded safety trial for CRPS treatment.

Educational grant to AAPM for the development of an ERAS Protocol in Spine

Summary

Principal Investigator on a Mallinckrodt educational grant for ERAS Protocol development.

Improving patient safety with smart monitoring and a safety interlock for patient-controlled analgesia

Summary

Co-Principal Investigator on a CRICO Risk Management Grant for patient safety.