VA Puget Sound is distinctive in its dual role: providing top-tier care for veterans while serving as an educational hub for University of Washington medical students, residents, and fellows. Providing health care services to roughly 160,000 veterans who are enrolled across Western Washington, VA Puget Sound serves a 14-county area and receives a substantial number of referrals for tertiary care from Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.
The Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine at VA Puget Sound provides expert care for patients with complex surgical, critical care, and pain management needs, including cardiac, orthopedic, vascular, and advanced monitoring cases. With extensive subspecialty training and clinical interests spanning cardiac anesthesiology, pain medicine, respiratory and critical care, pharmacology, and critical event simulation, our highly trained physicians work across the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System at both the Seattle and American Lake campuses.
“As a veteran, I can think of no greater honor than continuing to serve fellow veterans as a healthcare provider,” says Dr. Timothy Dawson, clinical professor and chief of anesthesiology and pain medicine at VA Puget Sound. “We have the privilege of caring for veterans across the largest geographical area within the Veterans Healthcare Administration. I am so proud to be a part of one of the highest caliber healthcare delivery teams in the region.”
Fostering healing, learning and community, Dr. Dawson and his team oversee specialized programs designed to meet the complex needs of our nation’s heroes—and inspire innovation among its dedicated team of healthcare professionals.
Outpatient Functional Restoration Pain Program (FRPP)
At the heart of VA Puget Sound American Lake’s pain services is the VISN 20 Outpatient Functional Restoration Pain Program (FRPP) — a comprehensive eight-week, highly accredited outpatient program for veterans living with complex chronic pain.
First developed ten years ago at VA Puget Sound American Lake by Dr. Dawson, it has grown under the medical direction of Dr. Bernard Canlas. As of 2025, it also supports veterans at VA Puget Sound Seattle under the direction of Dr. Catherine Howe.
The interdisciplinary program is led by a collaborative team that includes a pain medicine physician, pain psychologist, a chronic pain physical therapist, massage therapist, and nurses. Using a biopsychosocial approach, the program addresses the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of pain to support self-management and improve quality of life. After patients graduate from the program, personalized check ins occur every few weeks for up to 20 months.
FRPP “requires a lot of determination and dedication from providers as well as patients,” Dr. Canlas explains. “It can be challenging for participants because they come to us when they have already tried surgery and other traditional therapies to manage their chronic pain, but they are still in this situation of suffering.”
Feedback from program participants has been overwhelmingly affirming and meaningful, illustrating how multimodal chronic pain rehabilitation services and interdisciplinary teamwork can transform lives:
“I’m more like my old self again.”
“The group setting gives you a feeling of not being alone.”
“I was a wreck before. Now I have things I can do for myself.”
“I was at the end of my rope. You brought me back.”
“…Very balanced program. Staff was beyond professional.”
“I have a whole new set of tools. My old ones weren’t working anymore.”
“When I came, I thought narcotics were the only thing that would help. I have learned alternate ways of dealing with my pain. I don’t need drugs.”
Reflecting on this feedback, Dr. Canlas is grateful, adding, “Taking care of our veterans is an immense privilege and an honor.”
Research and scholarship appreciation
Every November, VA Puget Sound Seattle honors the dedication, innovation, and teamwork that drive its mission to provide world-class care for those who have served with two major events.
Organized by Dr. Zilvinas “Dr. Z” Zakarevicius, neuroanesthesiologist and long-time University of Washington faculty member, these events are more than academic gatherings; they’re an opportunity to recognize the people and work that make VA Puget Sound a special place.
From November 12 to December 12, the Annual Research and Scholarship Appreciation Event—led by the Departments of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine and Surgery at the Seattle campus—transforms a corridor of the hospital into a gallery of ideas and discoveries. Large-format academic posters detail clinical projects, educational innovations, and current research, featuring VA hospital faculty, residents, medical students and CRNAs.
To protect patient privacy, posters are only accessible to providers and VA staff; however, “through the work presented here, this spirit of discovery is on prominent display in the surgical and anesthesiology services of our institution,” says Dr. Roger Tatum, professor and chief of surgery at VA Puget Sound. Now in its sixth consecutive year, the scholarship event underscores the collaboration that drives quality patient care and scientific progress in the VA system, sparking dialogue and future research projects.
On November 18, the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine at VA Puget Sound Seattle will host the Clinical Research Symposium—a one-hour program of short oral presentations, selected from posters on display. From quality improvement projects to innovative techniques and strategies, the symposium actively reflects VA Puget Sound’s integrated, team-based approach to care.
For Dr. Z, the opportunity to spotlight the high level of scholarship in the department and the team’s dedication to serving veterans is meaningful throughout the year, but especially during the month of November, when we honor Veteran’s Day.
“These events are a way to say thank you, keep our spirit high, and show that we’re united in the work we do,” says Dr. Z.
For VA providers and staff interested in attending the Clinical Research Symposium on November 18, please contact Dr. Zilvinas Zakarevicius or apmcomms@uw.edu for more information.
