About NCP3
Our Mission
The National Campaign to Protect People in Pain is a coalition of physicians, patients, caregivers, and advocates united in our determination to see an end of stigma and discrimination against people in pain, their personal caregivers, and clinicians who treat them.
Vision
A world where every person in pain has access to compassionate, evidence-based treatment without fear of stigma, abandonment, or regulatory persecution of their healthcare providers.
Principles
We stand in agreement with six nationally prominent medical professional groups representing over 560,000 clinicians and medical students: it is time to remove political interference from the delivery of evidence-based medicine. Our advocacy is grounded in published clinical science, peer-reviewed data, and the real-world experiences of patients and their doctors.
We challenge the prevailing fraudulent narratives of US and State public health authorities who falsely proclaim that America's opioid crisis was caused by doctors overprescribing to their patients. Published data from the CDC's own databases demonstrate that accidental drug overdose is dominated by illicit street drugs, not legal prescriptions.
What We Do
We publish accredited Continuing Medical Education courses for clinicians and patients. We train citizen lobbyists to demand change from state medical boards, legislators, and federal agencies. We provide resources for doctors facing adversarial proceedings. We advocate publicly through published papers, social media, and direct engagement with government officials.
We reach registered readerships of over two million healthcare professionals through social media groups, and our published work spans peer-reviewed journals, mass media outlets, and leading healthcare newsletters.
DocToks Alliance
In May 2025, the Facebook patient support group DocToks, led by Dr. Forest Tennant, and NCP3 agreed to form an alliance. Both groups maintain their own identity while collaborating on initiatives and goals, sharing email and contact lists, and making speakers and presentations available to both communities. Together, we work to discredit and remove false narratives from pain management and restore the doctor-patient relationship.
Leadership
Speakers Bureau
Our Speakers Bureau donates their time and expertise to challenge the misdirection of US pain policy. Their collective experience spans over 600 years of hands-on clinical practice and advocacy.
Active Members
Dr. Kayvan Haddadan, MD
Chairman of the Board
Double board-certified in Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Medical Director of Advanced Pain Diagnostic & Solutions. Leading NCP3's next chapter as Chairman.
Dr. Stephen Nadeau, MD
Speakers Bureau
Professor of Neurology at the University of Florida. Over 10,765 citations and h-index of 47. Co-author of landmark papers on the two opioid crises and opioid trial methodology.
Dr. Andrea Trescot, MD
Speakers Bureau
Pain management specialist with 1,583 citations. Past President of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP). Peer reviewer for NCP3's CME courses.
Barby Ingle
Speakers Bureau
VP of International Pain Foundation. Testified before U.S. Congress. Over 40 advocacy awards. Leading voice for chronic pain and rare disease communities nationwide.
William R. Bauer, MD, PhD, FAAN
Speakers Bureau
American neurologist and pain-medicine physician. Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. Decades of practice in Pain research and chronic pain management. Set in motion pain legislation in Ohio.
Pat Irving, RN, MEd
Speakers Bureau
Healthcare writer and state board initiative leader. Driving major changes in state medical and pharmacy board policies on opioid prescribing guidelines across multiple states.
Monty Goddard, PE, MSCE
Speakers Bureau
Healthcare writer and patient advocate. Key contributor to California Board of Medicine and Pharmacy deliberations on restrictive pain policies. Personal caregiver advocate.
L. Joseph Parker, MD
Speakers Bureau
Physician and KevinMD contributing author. Published advocate for evidence-based pain care and patient-centered treatment approaches.
Kristen Ogden
Speakers Bureau
Patient advocate and member of the NCP3 Speakers Bureau. Active contributor to public education and awareness efforts on pain policy reform.
Lawrence Peskin
Speakers Bureau
NCP3 Speakers Bureau member and advocate for evidence-based pain treatment. Active in research dissemination and clinical literature review.
Patrick O'Donnell
Speakers Bureau
Patient advocate and NCP3 Speakers Bureau member. Engaged in lobbying and public outreach on pain care policy reform.
Nicole O'Donnell
Speakers Bureau
Patient advocate and NCP3 Speakers Bureau member. Active in state-level advocacy and public education efforts.
Mark Ibsen, MD
Speakers Bureau
Physician, bestselling author of Dr. Bison's Fables, and featured in the award-winning documentary Pain Warriors. Outspoken advocate against the criminalization of pain medicine.
Ashley Rogers
Speakers Bureau
Patient advocate and NCP3 Speakers Bureau member. Contributing voice for chronic pain communities and policy reform.
Jonelle Elgaway
Operations Lead
NCP3 Operations Lead handling 501(c)(4) incorporation, website maintenance, and donation channels. Building NCP3's Facebook presence with motivational video content for patients, doctors, and lawyers.
Forest Tennant, MD
Speakers Bureau
Renowned pain medicine specialist and founder of the DocToks patient support group. Pioneer in arachnoiditis research and treatment. NCP3-DocToks alliance partner.
Emeritus Members
Richard "Red" Lawhern, PhD
Founder Emeritus
28+ years in pain policy advocacy. Over 300 published papers. Co-developed free CME courses on opioid prescribing guidelines. Briefed senior FDA officials on the real opioid crisis.
Jay Joshi, MD
Emeritus
Board certified pain management clinician and publisher of Daily Remedy. Over 50 publications in pain management. CEO of National Pain Centers and AAI Health. Physician Expert Witness.
501(c)(4) Status
NCP3 is in the process of incorporating as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization in North Carolina. This will allow us to formally accept donations to support conference attendance, advocacy travel, and website operations. All Board members serve without salary.