Scott Fishman inducted as inaugural holder of Jacquelyn S. Anderson Endowed Chair in Wellness
February 15, 2023 — Internationally recognized pain management expert Scott Fishman is the inaugural holder of the Jacquelyn S. Anderson Endowed Chair in Wellness at UC Davis. Fishman, who directs the UC Davis Center for Advancing Pain Relief, was inducted during a ceremony on Jan. 31
Sacramento businessman Jim Anderson attended the event in Sacramento. Last year, Anderson gave a $5 million gift to the UC Davis School of Medicine. The funds established the Office of Wellness Education and the Jacquelyn S. Anderson Endowed Chair in Wellness in honor of his late wife, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Anderson.
UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May thanked Anderson for his generous gift and noted he was touched to be part of honoring Jackie Anderson’s legacy. “Your gift to the School of Medicine is an act of incredible generosity, not just for our university but for the entire region. This gift is just the start of an exciting new chapter as we lead the way in the research, teaching and outreach of health and wellness,” May said.
Scott Weber, a friend of Anderson’s and chair for the Office of Wellness Education Volunteer Advisory Board, also spoke at the event. Ken Burtis, professor emeritus and past dean of the College of Biological Sciences, and Susan Murin, interim dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine, gave remarks as well.
“This endowed chair and our new Office of Wellness Education will enable UC Davis Health to redefine approaches to wellness and good health, and improve our community’s health-span and quality of life,” said Murin.
Fishman is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles and has written several books, including “The War on Pain,” “Listening to Pain,” and “Responsible Opioid Prescribing.” He advocates for the safe and effective use of pain treatments and has led national and international efforts to transform pain education. Fishman is a professor of anesthesiology, executive vice chair for the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and the Fullerton Endowed Chair in Pain Medicine at the UC Davis School of Medicine.
Fishman is also undertaking a new role as the executive director of the Office of Wellness Education.
“This initiative is a critically important step in expanding our health system beyond responding solely to diseases and diagnoses and helps us meet our goal of transforming lives by improving health before disease strikes.” Image
—Scott Fishman
The vision for the initiative began with Fishman and Jackie Anderson’s shared interest in health and wellness. Jackie Anderson, who passed away from cancer in March 2021, was an artist and photographer. An exhibit of her artwork and photography is scheduled for this spring.
“Jackie was inspirational, not just around art, but also around health. This is an unprecedented step for our health system in fulfilling its promise to our patients and community,” Fishman said. “This gift will substantially help UC Davis make an early transition to the health care of the future, which in part must be prevention.”
The Office of Wellness Education will offer resources to the UC Davis Health community, the people of Sacramento, and beyond to help them prevent illness and lead longer, healthier lives.
“This initiative is a critically important step in expanding our health system beyond responding solely to diseases and diagnoses and helps us meet our goal of transforming lives by improving health before disease strikes,” Fishman added.
As we look forward, we look to you. Explore the many opportunities to join the UC Davis Campaign.
