PARC's mission is to accelerate the translation of research into improved patient care in pain and addiction. We accomplish this by conducting cutting-edge, bench-to-bedside translational research on the mechanisms and management of pain and addiction, and by educating the next generation of researchers and clinicians.
Below are selected highlights of PARC’s growth and impact since its launch in 2019.
Building university-wide collaborations in translational pain and addiction research and care
- PARC has created an environment that connects our inter-professional community across the schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, the Graduate School, and the Physical Therapy Division to enable knowledge exchange and collaboration.
- More than 150 faculty and learners have become members of PARC and more than 1200 have joined our listserv.
- PARC has partnered with stakeholders across UCSF in pain and addiction, including: the Drug Use Research Group (DURG); UCSF Health (Hospital) Committees for Pain, Substance Use, and Health Education; and the Alcohol and Addiction Research Group (AARG) to develop research efforts that cross traditional topical barriers.
Supporting PARC members’ research by aiding with philanthropy and grant funding
- Philanthropic donations to PARC of over $600,000 have been utilized to fund both research fellowships and provide educational offerings for UCSF clinicians.
- PARC has funded seven research fellowships that align with our mission, all of which involved competitive selection processes. These fellowships have resulted in publications and some have received subsequent federal funding.
Educating the next generation of pain and addiction scientists and clinicians
- PARC provides monthly seminars and bi-annual research symposia to educate researchers and clinicians on state-of-the-art research and patient care innovations, as well as to promote networking and partnership in research and clinical care.
- PARC offers mentorship of junior faculty with senior PARC faculty, especially at early stages of proposal preparation, and this advising has resulted in two awards of one million dollars.
- PARC and the UCSF Health Pain Committee, and 62 faculty and staff together developed an online portal, pain.ucsf.edu, to aid all clinicians in better understanding and treatment of pain.
The value of PARC to Members and UCSF
"A better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of opioids and, most importantly, the mechanisms through which they act in these different areas, as well as learning about very different methods to study their action. These parts of PARC have all been particularly useful for me."
"The connections with other researchers within and outside of UCSF has been helpful for my research. The opportunities to present and be exposed to research has been helpful as well."
"I have cited the work presented by Yasmin Hurd and appreciate hearing from clinical service providers."
"I use and enjoy the seminars and retreat videos that are available for viewing."
Ways to get involved with PARC
Collaborate with a PARC member. Participate in one of our seminars or symposia. Apply to a PARC-sponsored research award. Join PARC as a member. Start a new working group. If you are interested in other ways to get involved, contact us at [email protected] and we’ll help you find where you might best fit!