The 4UR Health podcast, hosted by Dr. Ronda Marie Chakolis, continues to bring vital conversations about health and wellness to the forefront. In this latest episode, we’re joined by two distinguished experts, Dr. Brent Leininger and Dr. Douglas Kennedy, as they discuss innovative approaches to pain management and the importance of addressing health disparities in clinical research.
About Our Guests
Dr. Brent Leininger, DC, MS, PhD
Dr. Leininger is an Associate Professor in the Integrative Health & Wellbeing Research Program at the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota. As a chiropractor with advanced degrees in Clinical Research and Health Services Research, Policy, & Administration, Dr. Leininger’s work focuses on non-drug and self-management treatments for pain. He co-leads the NIH-funded Partners4Pain project, which explores whole-person approaches to managing back and neck pain, with a strong emphasis on reducing health disparities.
Dr. Douglas Kennedy, PhD
Dr. Kennedy serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota and is a member of the Integrative Health & Wellbeing Research Program. With expertise in community engagement and qualitative research, he collaborates with researchers and community partners to amplify diverse voices in health studies. As a co-investigator on multiple NIH-funded grants, his work is instrumental in fostering collaboration and co-learning across disciplines.
About the Partners4Pain Project
This episode highlights the Partners4Pain project, funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative through the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The project focuses on non-drug, integrative approaches to pain management while addressing systemic health disparities.
If you’d like to learn more about Partners4Pain, visit their website or contact them at partners4pain@umn.edu or (612) 626-6477. Interested in participating in the study? New cohorts begin in January 2025 at UROC and online.
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