COM Faculty Members Frank Willard and Ed Bilsky Speak at the 2nd Annual Spine Conference

Drs. Frank Willard and Ed Bilsky, both professors in UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and members of the Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences (CEN), spoke at Maine Medical Partners’ 2nd annual Spine Conference on November 17th. The conference was held in Portland and focused on translational research and its role in driving treatment algorithms to optimize patient care and clinical outcomes. Dr. Raj Desai (medical director of the Maine Medical Center Neuroscience Institute) and his colleagues organized the event that was attended by over 100 health care professionals from around the region. Dr. Willard’s presentation, entitled “Anatomy and Neurophysiology of the Spine: Research Driving Healthcare”, included a detailed description of the anatomy of the spinal column/cord in health and disease. Dr. Bilsky presented research on the pathophysiology of acute and chronic pain and provided updates on current and emerging pharmacotherapy that targets the spinal cord. The Neuroscience Institute at Maine Medical Center and the CEN are building collaborations that will benefit the research education missions of both institutions. Additional information is available on the institute web sites. Maine Medical Center Neuroscience Institute; UNE Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences.

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The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.