WIP Sections - World Institute of Pain

Treasurer

Emmanuel Thobejane

PO Box 2870, Brooklyn Square
Pretoria, 0075, South Africa
T: +27 12 343 4400
F: +27 12 343 9924
E: [email protected]

Chair

Dennis Agbazue

Secretary

Caryn April

Vice-Chair

Siyabonga Mkhize

EPP AWARD CENTERS

Pain Clinic – Cape Town

200C East Wing

Constantiaberg Mediclinic

Cape Town, South Africa

(Director: Eric Wilson, BSc(med); MB; BCh; DM; MSc (Pain); MMed; FIPP; RSA)

No data was found

Chair

Akilan Velayudhan

Vice-Chair

Tony Kwun-tung Ng

Secretary

Guy Buchanan

MD, FIPP

Vice-Chair

Karolina Szadek

Chair

Martine Puylaert

MD, FIPP

Vice-Chair

Koen Van Boxem

Treasurer

Barbara Persoons

Secretary

Remko Liebregts

Secretary

Sandra van den Heuvel

Visit the Section website at https://www.wipbenelux.com/

Chair

Jose Luiz de Campos

Secretary

Ana Carolina Lima

Treasurer

Breno Grossi

Vice-Chair

Olympio De Hollanda Chacon Neto

EPP AWARD CENTERS

Singular – Centro de Controle Da Dor – Sao Paulo

(Director: Fabricio Dias Assis, MD, FIPP)

Clinica para o Tratamento da Dor- Hospital das Clinicas,
Faculdade de Medicinade Ribeirao Preto
Universidade de Sao Paulo

(Director: Gabriella Rocha Lauretti, MD, MSc, PhD, FIPP)

Chair

Ludger Gerdesmeyer

MD, FIPP

Vice-Chair

Martin Marianowicz

MD, FIPP

Kufsteinerplatz 4
81679 Munich, Germany
T: 0049 89 5474 0616; M: 0049 170 902 5517
E: [email protected]

Secretary

Hartmut Neumann

MD, FIPP

Treasurer

Andrea Balthasar

MD, FIPP

Secretary

Pranab Kumar

Chair

Dr. Tolu Alugo

CIPS, FIPP

Vice-Chair

Mahesh Palanisamy

Treasurer

Yehia Kamel

Secretary

Carlos Guerrero

Fundacion Santa Fe
Ora 5 131-90 Apt 1005
Bogota, Colombia

T: 57 1 6273171; M: 057 310 7857490
E: [email protected]

Vice-Chair

Juan Felipe Vargas Silva

Treasurer

Jose Nicolas

Dussan Silva

Chair

Paola Diaz

MD, FIPP, CIPS

Vice-Chair

Lorand Eross

MD, PhD, FIPP

Chair

Agnes Stogicza

MD, FIPP

Treasurer

Balázs Laskói

MD, FIPP

Secretary

Laszo Entz

MD, FIPP

PHOTO GALLERY from Annual Budapest Conferences & Workshops 2015

REVISIT The 22nd Annual Gabor Racz Advanced Interventional Budapest Pain Conference and Workshop – 28-30 August, 2017

Chair

Javier de Andrés Ares

MD, FIPP

c/Guisando 56, 2^B
Madrid, Spain 28035

E: [email protected]

Treasurer

Teresa Bovaira Forner

MD, FIPP

E: [email protected]

Secretary

Maria Isabel Brazão Lusitano de Freitas

Vice-Chair

Gisela Roca Amatria

Chair

Anand Murugesan

Vice-Chair

Madhan Pandian

Secretary

Sushpa Das

Treasurer

Vineetha G Gopal

With Dr. Anand Murugesan serving as Chair, the India Section is focused on strengthening WIP’s presence across the region and advancing structured, evidence-based interventional pain practice. Efforts to expand WIP membership in India have already resulted in a significant and encouraging increase in engagement.

The Section’s current priorities are closely aligned with WIP’s global mission, with a focus on advancing education, strengthening certification pathways, and fostering international collaboration. This momentum reflects the growing relevance of WIP as a leading body for interventional pain education and practice in the region.

Key upcoming initiatives include the development of a flagship annual WIP India International Congress, envisioned as a global platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and standardization of care. The Section is also working toward bringing the FIPP and CIPS examinations to India to support broader access to globally recognized credentialing. In December 2026, the India Section will host its first WIP-endorsed symposium, cadaver workshop, and FIPP/CIPS preparatory course in Bengaluru.

DARADIA: The Pain Clinic – Kolkata, West Bengal (Director: Gautam Das, MD, FIPP)

Vice-Chair

Yusak Siahaan

MD, FIPP, CIPS

Secretary

TCT Novy

SpKFR, FIPP, CIPS

[email protected]
+62 811 2246067
Sam Ratulangi University, Faculty of Medicine
Department of PM&R, Manado
Prof. Kandou Central General Hospital, Manado
Bandung Pain Rehab Center, West Java
PIK Pain Rehab Clinic, Jakarta

Treasurer

Agus Setiyana

SpAn, KAKV, FIPM, FIPP

[email protected]
+62 819 18056707
Mitra Keluarga Waru Hospital, East Java

Chair

Said Shofwan

MD, FIPP

[email protected]
+62 813 78841111
Sultan Agung Islamic Hospital, Semarang, Central Java

Secretary

Farnad Imani

MD, FIPP

Treasurer

Poupak Rahimzadeh

MD, FIPP

Chair

Mehran Kouchek

MD, FIPP

17/14 East 24, South Allameh,
Saadat Abad
Tehran, Iran 1997836843

O: 98 21 77 54 52 57
M: 98 912 120 8893
E: [email protected]

Chair

Tadhg Lynch

MD, FIPP

Treasurer

Galina Godovic

MD, FIPP

Vice-Chair

Vadim Tashlykov

MD, FIPP

Chair

Haggai Sharon

MD, PhD, FIPP

Secretary

Nir Segev

MD, CIPS

USEFUL LINKS:
IASP ISRAEL
ISRAEL PAIN ASSOCIATION

Chair

Giuliano Lo Bianco

Laura Demartini

Counselor

Vice-Chair

Emanuele Piraccini

Secretary

Ezio Amorizzo

Treasurer

Gianluca Maniscalco

EPP AWARD CENTERS

IRCCS Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata – Rionero in Vulture
(Director: Pasquale De Negri, MD, FIPP)

Uosd Terapia Antalgica – Rome, Italy
(Director: Gianni Colini-Baldeschi, MD, FIPP)

Chaired by Dr. Giuliano Lo Bianco, the Italy Section is advancing interventional pain management through education, clinical innovation, and international collaboration. Dr. Lo Bianco is an anesthesiologist and pain specialist, currently serving as Head of the Analgesia and Percutaneous Surgery Unit at Fondazione Istituto G. Giglio in Cefalù, Palermo, Italy. His clinical and academic focus includes fluoroscopy- and ultrasound-guided procedures, neuromodulation, regenerative medicine, mechanism-based diagnosis, and precision medicine.

The Italy Section is currently focused on high-quality education, image-guided interventional techniques, neuromodulation, and the integration of regenerative therapies such as PRP into clinical practice. The Section is also committed to structured training programs and hands-on educational opportunities for young pain physicians, helping bridge the gap between theory and real-world clinical practice.

A key upcoming initiative is the WIP Italy National Congress 2026, taking place in Como from June 11–13, 2026. The meeting will focus on innovation, integrated approaches, and interventional pain therapy, bringing together national and international experts for advanced scientific sessions and hands-on workshops in ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided procedures. The Section also continues to strengthen international collaborations, contribute to scientific research, and expand educational initiatives such as the Mediterranean Pain Forum.

Biography – Dr. Giuliano Lo Bianco, MD, PhD, FIPP, EDPM

Dr. Giuliano Lo Bianco is a renowned medical specialist in Anesthesia, Pain Therapy, and percutaneous fluoro/ultrasound-guided interventions. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with leading national and international experts, demonstrating a deep dedication to both research and advanced clinical practice in pain management.

Since 2020, Dr. Lo Bianco has held a prominent role at Fondazione G. Giglio di Cefalù, where he provides clinical and research services in pain management and neuromodulation, and serves as Head of the Operational Unit for Analgesia and Percutaneous Surgery.

He has shared his expertise through teaching appointments at notable academic institutions, including the University of Palermo (Second-Level Master’s in Pain Therapy) and the University of Pavia (University Master’s in Pain Therapy). Dr. Lo Bianco obtained his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Catania, focusing on advanced research in Pain Therapy. He further refined his expertise with a Fellowship in Neuromodulation and Pain Medicine at Basildon University Hospital under Prof. Simon Thomson and attained Advanced Pain Training at the Faculty of Pain Medicine, University of London.

Dr. Lo Bianco’s significant professional certifications include the Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP)credential from the World Institute of Pain (WIP) (September 2022) and the European Diploma in Pain Medicine (EDPM) from the European Pain Federation (EFIC) (2022). His leadership in the field is exemplified by his role as Director and Organizer of the Mediterranean Pain Forum 2023 and 2024. He also actively contributes to the academic community as a lecturer for the Advanced Algology Foundation ISAL’s Course of Perfection in Algological Sciences and has completed the Biennial Master’s in Pain Medicine at Advanced Algology (2017). In addition, he serves as a reviewer for numerous pain journals.

Currently, Dr. Lo Bianco is a Section Editor for the Journal of Pain Research, overseeing the Pain Education and Early Career Investigators section, reflecting his commitment to fostering the development of emerging professionals in pain medicine.

Dr. Lo Bianco earned his Medical and Surgery degree from the University of Palermo with honors (110/110) and completed his specialization in Anesthesia, Resuscitation, Intensive Care, and Pain Therapy there with top marks (50/50). His dedication to pain medicine, coupled with ongoing research and active leadership roles, continues to advance the field and improve patient well-being worldwide.

Useful Links

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Treasurer

Yong-Jae Yoo

Secretary

Jung Eun Kim

Vice-Chair

Won-Joong Kim

Chair

Jee Youn Moon

Pain Center of the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital

Seoul, Korea
Director: Yong Chul Kim, MD
Chairman: Sang Chul Lee, MD, PhD, FIPP

Chair

Wendy Rojas

Secretary

Rodrigo Diez Tafur

Vice-Chair

Soraya Cruz Loor

EPP AWARD CENTERS

Argentina

Centro de Atencion Integral del Dolor – Buenos Aires
(Director: Juan Carlos Flores, MD, FIPP)

Treasurer

Awisul-Islah Ghazali

FIPP

Chair

Toh Charng Jeng

FIPP

Vice-Chair

ChengWei Soo

Secretary

Ken-Yi Lui

Treasurer

Irene Kourokouli

MD, PhD, FIPP

Secretary

Dimitrios Peios

Vice-Chair

Dimitrios Papadopoulos

MD, FIPP

Chair

Eleni Episkopou

Under the leadership of Dr. Eleni Episkopou, the Mediterranean Section is being developed with a strategic mission to connect East and West through a high-level collaborative network spanning Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Dr. Episkopou’s work focuses on advancing pain management through precision and personalized medicine, integrating technology, innovation, and expert-led clinical education to support quality and patient safety.

The Section’s current focus is on building an integrated platform for education, clinical excellence, and innovation. Outreach efforts have begun with colleagues in Cyprus, Israel, Spain, and Morocco, with collaboration positively received and formally accepted by Cyprus, Israel, and Morocco. Plans are also underway to include Egypt in the near future.

Current initiatives include the development of a two-year, university-affiliated educational program in interventional pain medicine; the establishment of a WIP-certified Mediterranean Training Hub connecting leading clinics across the region; and the organization of a multidisciplinary pain congress. The Section is also advancing digital clinical support systems and developing a patient-centered platform to guide access to validated centers based on expertise and outcomes.

Its broader vision is to build a forward-looking, evidence-driven framework that combines innovation, education, and clinical excellence while continuing the pioneering spirit of Dr. Gabor Racz.

No data was found

Chair

Basem Habib Mishriqy Henri

Vice-Chair

Abdulmuhsen Al-Sahhaf

MD, FIPP, CIPS

E: [email protected]

Secretary

Raafat Mahfouz Riad

MD, FIPP

Vice-Chair

Raad Al-Khafaji

MD, FIPP

Treasurer

Mohamed Ibrahim Badr

Stay up to date with the WIP Middle East Section on their Facebook page!

Secretary

Aurea Negron

MD, FIPP

Chair

José Rodríguez Hernandez

MD, FIPP

P.O. Box 360283
San Juan, 00936-0283, Puerto Rico

T: 787-798-4047
E: [email protected]

Treasurer

Renier Mendez de Guzman

MD, FIPP

Vice-Chair

Luis Cummings

MD, FIPP

Vice-Chair

Chi Wing Chan

Chair

Kok-Yuen Ho

MD, FIPP

The Pain Clinic
Mount Alvernia Medical Centre D
820 Thomson Road, #07-59
Singapore, Singapore 574623

W: +65 6254 5447
E: [email protected]

Treasurer

Kin Ho Aaron Lee

Secretary

Yiu Chung Lau

The Pain Specialist, of Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre
Singapore, Singapore

(Director: Alex Sow Nam Yeo, MD, PhD, FIPP)

Chair

Matthieu Cachemaille

Secretary

Ali Bourezg

Treasurer

Konstantinos Boviatsis

Centre de la Douleur Clinique Cecil – Lausanne, Vaud

(Director: Philippe Mavrocordatos, MD, FIPP)

Chair

Yu Chuan (Grace) Tsai

MD, FIPP

Executive Director and Past President, Taiwan Pain Society

Professor, I-Shou University, College of Medicine

Chief, Pain Management of E-Da Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan

E: [email protected]

Main Tel: 886-6-2090427

Vice-Chair

Chih-Peng Lin

MD, FIPP, CIPS

Vice-Chair

Chia-Shiang Sean Lin

MD, FIPP, CIPS

Mert Akbas

MD, FIPP

Liaison to WIP

Treasurer

Gözde Dağistan

MD, FIPP

Vice-Chair

Ibrahim Asik

MD, FIPP

E: [email protected]

Chair

Serdar Erdine

MD, FIPP

Secretary

Derya Güner

MD, CIPS

EPP AWARD PAIN CENTERS:

Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Pain Practice

Istanbul Pain Center (Director: Serdar Erdine, MD, FIPP)

Chair

Raja Reddy Varadapura

E: [email protected]

Secretary

Subodha Thanthulage

Vice-Chair

Ann-Katrin Fritz

Chair

Sudhir A. Diwan

Vice-Chair

Leonardo Kapural

MD, PhD, FIPP

Secretary

Sean Li

EPP AWARD PAIN CENTERS:

Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Pain Practice

♦ Spine Institute Northwest
Bothell, Washington, USA
Director: Solomon Kamson, MD, PhD, FIPP

♦ University of Washington Center for Pain Relief
Seattle, Washington, USA
Director: Alex Cahana, MD, FIPP

Multidisciplinary Clinical Pain Practice

♦ Interventional Pain and Physical Medicine Clinic
   Sartell, Minnesota, USA
   Director: Thomas C. Kowalkowski, DO, FIPP

♦ Neuro Pain Care
   Manhasset, New York, USA
   Director: Vikas Varma, MD, FIPP

♦ Pain Management Division of the Department of
   Anesthesiology, University of Cincinnati
   Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
   (Former) Director: Hammam Akbik, MD, FIPP

♦ Pain Physicians NY
New York, New York, USA
Director-Founder: Leonid Reyfman, MD, FIPP

♦ Utah Center for Pain Management and Research, Inc.
   DBA Nexus Pain Care
Provo, Utah, USA.
   Director: Richard M. Rosenthal, MD, FIPP

Clinical Pain Practice

♦ ACME Pain Care
Algonquin, Illinois, USA
Director: Vikram B. Patel, MD, FIPP

♦ East Louisville Interventional Pain Specialists, PLLC
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Director: Bill W. Haney, MD, FIPP, DABIPP, DABPM

Clinical Pain Practice Specializing in Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes

♦ The Pain Center USA PLLCC
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Warren, Michigan, USA
Director: Rajendra Bothra, MD, FIPP