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.
Resources developed by Dr. Weiner:
- 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 DK. Introduction to Special Series: Deconstructing chronic low back pain in the older adult: shifting the paradigm from the spine to the person. Pain Med. 2015 May;16(5):881-5. PMID: 25846799.
Weiner DK, Marcum Z, Rodriguez E. Deconstructing Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults: Summary Recommendations. Pain Med. 2016 Dec;17(12):2238-2246. PMID: 28025358.
Jacobs ZG, Elnicki DM, Perera S, Weiner DK. An E-learning Module on Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults: Effect on Medical Resident Attitudes, Confidence, Knowledge, and Clinical Skills. Pain Med. 2018 Jun 1;19(6):1112-1120. PMID: 29315426.
Weiner DK, 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 Med. 2019 Jul 1;20(7):1300-1310. PMID: 29672748.
Madill ES, Samuels R, Newman DP, Boudreaux-Kelley M, Weiner DK. Development of an Evaluative, Educational, and Communication-Facilitating App for Older Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: Patient Perceptions of Usability and Utility. Pain Med. 2019 Nov 1;20(11):2120-2128. PMID: 31329964.
Weiner DK, Gentili A, Rossi M, Coffey-Vega K, Rodriguez KL, Hruska KL, 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 Med. 2020 Feb 1;21(2):274-290. PMID: 31503275.
Moehl K, Wright RM, Shega J, Malec M, Kelley Fitzgerald G, Robbins-Welty G, Zoberi K, Tait R, Perera S, Deverts D, Horvath Z, Weiner DK. How to Teach Medical Students About Pain and Dementia: E-Learning, Experiential Learning, or Both? Pain Med. 2020 Oct 1;21(10):2117-2122. PMID: 32770186.
Weiner DK, Gentili A, Fang MA, Garay E, Annaswamy T, Castle S, Joseph L, Lawson L, Lee CC, Makris UE, Rossi MI, 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. Contemp Clin Trials. 2020 Aug;95:106077. PMID: 32593717.
Weiner DK, Holloway K, Levin E, Keyserling H, Epstein F, Monaco E, Sembrano J, Brega K, Nortman S, Krein SL, Gentili A, Katz JN, Morrow LA, Muluk V, Pugh MJ, Perera S. Identifying biopsychosocial factors that impact decompressive laminectomy outcomes in veterans with lumbar spinal stenosis: a prospective cohort study. Pain. 2021 Mar 1;162(3):835-845. PMID: 32925594.
Porter LS, Weiner DK, Ramos K, Barnes DE, Schmader KE, Gwyther L, Ritchie CS, Keefe FJ. Partnering to cope with pain: A pilot study of a caregiver-assisted pain coping skills intervention for patients with cognitive impairment and dementia. Palliat Support Care. 2022 Dec;20(6):785-793. PMID: 36942584.
- 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
