UC Irvine News Brief: Psychologist garners grants to study pediatric, neonatal pain

Michelle Fortier, Ph.D., of UC Irvine’s Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care, has received grants funding research into managing pediatric and neonatal pain. A $450,000 Hoag Foundation grant will support “Treating Pain in Children with Cancer: A 21st Century Innovative Approach,” which proposes to use smart-phone technology in the at-home treatment of children’s pain. A $50,000 Children’s Miracle Network grant will fund a study titled “Managing Neonatal Pain & Distress: The Next Frontier.” Fortier – a licensed psychologist – and a colleague from CHOC Children’s Hospital will document daily care received by neonates and seek to optimize the timing of such care to decrease the duration and intensity of pain.