A Professor with training in geriatrics, rheumatology, and acupuncture, Dr Weiner’s research focuses on chronic pain. She is PI of two VA Merit Review studies: 1) a multisite study designed to improve management of chronic low back pain (CLBP) in older adults; and a 2) multisite prospective cohort study to ascertain predictors of outcome in veterans undergoing decompressive laminectomy for lumbar spinal stenosis. She also has spearheaded the creation of an online course in pain and aging that she plans to incorporate into future research and educational initiatives. Finally, she is Associate Director for Research, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) Geriatrics, Research, Education and Clinical Center.
- BA, Washington University, 1978
- Post-Sophomore Pathology Fellowship, University of Missouri, 1980
- MD, University of Missouri, 1983
- Residency, Internal Medicine, Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, 1983
- Fellowship, Geriatrics, Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, 1986
- Fellowship, Rheumatology, Duke University Medical Center, 1987
- DANA fellowship, Geriatric Dysmobility, Duke University Medical Center, 1989
Education & Training
Weiner, D.K. Deconstructing chronic low back pain in the older adult: Shifting the paradigm from the spine to the person. Pain Medicine. 2015; 16(5): 881-5.
Weiner, D.K., Marcum, Z., Rodriguez, E. Deconstructing chronic low back pain in older adults: summary recommendations. Pain Medicine. 2016; 17(12): 2238-2246.
Jacobs, Z.G., Elnicki, D.M., Perera, S., Weiner, D.K. An e-learning module on chronic low back pain in older adults: Effect on medical resident attitudes, confidence, knowledge, and clinical skills. Pain Medicine. 2018; 19(6): 1112-1120.
Weiner, D.K., Gentili, A., Coffey-Vega, K., Morone, N., Rossi, M., Perera, S. Biopsychosocial profiles and functional correlates in older adults with chronic low back pain: a preliminary study. Pain Medicine. 2019; 20: 1300-1310.
Madill, E., Samuels, R., Newman, D.P., Boudreaux-Kelley, M., Weiner, D.K. Development of an evaluative, educational, and communication-facilitating app for older adults with chronic low back pain: Patient perceptions of usability and utility. Pain Medicine. 2019; 20(11): 2120-2128.
Weiner, D.K., Gentili, A., Rossi, M., Coffey-Vega, K., Rodriguez, K.L., Hruska, K.L., Hausmann, L., Perera, S. Aging Back Clinics-a Geriatric Syndrome Approach to Treating Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults: Results of a Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial. Pain Medicine. 2020; 21(2): 274-290.
Moehl, K., Robbins-Welty, G., Wright, R.M., Shega, J., Malec, M., Zoberi, K., Tait, R., Perera, S., Deverts, D., Horvath, Z., Weiner, D.K. How to Teach Medical Students About Pain and Dementia: E-Learning, Experiential Learning, or Both?. Pain Medicine. 2020; 21(10): 2117-2122.
Weiner, D.K., Gentili, A., Fang, M.A., Garay, E., Annaswamy, T., Castle, S., Joseph, L., Lawson, L., Lee, C.C., Makris, U.E., Rossi, M.I., Thorn, B., Clemens, K., Newman, D., Perera, S. Caring for Older Veterans with Chronic Low Back Pain Using a Geriatric Syndrome Approach: Rationale and Methods for the Aging Back Clinics (ABC) Trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2020
Weiner, D.K., Holloway, K., Levin, E., Keyserling, H., Epstein, F., Monaco, E., Sembrano, J., Brega, K., Nortman, S., Krein, S.L., Gentili, A., Katz, J.N., Morrow, A.L., Muluk, V., Pugh, M.J., Perera, S. Identifying biopsychosocial factors that impact decompressive laminectomy outcomes in veterans with lumbar spinal stenosis: a prospective cohort study. Pain. 2021; 162(3): 835-845.
Porter, L.S., Weiner, D.K., Ramos, K., Barnes, D.E., Schmader, K.E., Gwyther, L., Ritchie, C.S., Keefe, F.J. Partnering to Cope with Pain: A pilot study of a caregiver-assisted pain coping skills intervention for patients with cognitive impairment and dementia. Palliative & Supportive Care. 2021
- Editorial Board, Pain Medicine, 2000-present
- Senior Editor, Pain Medicine, 2011-present
- Professional Advisory Board, American Chronic Pain Association, 2011-present
- NIH Pain Consortium Task Force on Research Standards for Chronic Low Back Pain, 2013-14
- Ad Hoc reviewer of NIH grant applications, 2013-present
- Excellence in Research Award, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, 2014
- Pittsburgh Magazine, “Best Doctors”, 2015
- 2017 Geriatrics Teacher of the Year Award - PA Geriatrics Society, 2017
- Chief of Staff Clinical Excellence Award, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, 2019
