Accomplishments
What I have done in my work
The primary focus of my work over the past 28 years has been advocating for those who suffer from chronic or end-of-life pain, and the mental health and addictive disorders that accompany them. I have fought to achieve the challenging balance between pain and addiction.
What I have done outside work
The primary focus of my work over the past 28 years has been advocating for those who suffer from chronic or end-of-life pain, and the mental health and addictive disorders that accompany them. I have fought to achieve the challenging balance between pain and addiction.
- I wrote the critically reviewed book Needless Suffering; How Society Fails Those with Chronic Pain. Sold on 4 continents, the book has been described as blueprint for public policy pertinent to pain, addiction, and other mental health disorders.
- I co-chair the National Football League Player’s Association Committee on pain management. I am the lead author on the best practices guide designed to empower professional athletes and non-athletes with the knowledge they need to manage their pain in a whole person/whole life way. This is the only document of its type ever published.
- I co-founded the New Hampshire Pain Task Force and co-authored the State rules regarding opioid prescription as well as subsequent revisions.
- I co-founded the New Hampshire Prescription Abuse Task Force to counter the beginnings of the opioid crisis.
- I co-founded the New Hampshire Pain Collaborative as a way of empowering those who suffer from pain.
- I created the Florence, David, and Mary Nagel Professorship at the University of Rochester Medical School dedicated to teaching whole person/whole life pain care to medical students
- I served on the Governor’s Opioid Prescription Advisory Council
- I am the founder and President of the Nagel Pain Community, a non-profit dedicated to improving access to whole person care for those who suffer from pain and addiction.
- I am the founder and President of the Over the Rainbow Project, dedicated to improving pain care, addiction care, access to health care, and teaching of Doctor-Patient Communication
- I have served on several regional and national advisory councils on pain care.
- I have co-authored first in the nation legislation here in NH guaranteeing patients in pain have access to needed medications.
- I have co-authored legislation mandating e-prescription to improve access to care
- I helped create the New Hampshire Acupuncture Practice Act
- I have served on the New Hampshire Medical Society Legislative Committee for over 20 years.
- I served as a fellow for the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City charged with identifying issues of disparity and creating solutions.
- I have co-authored innumerable articles on pain care, advocacy, public policy, and heath care policy always challenging the status quo.
- I have served as a board member, Temescal Wellness Cannabis Dispensary
What I have done outside work
- I served as Scoutmaster of Troop 242 for 10 years and committee member of Cub Scout Pack 242 in Gilmanton. Under my guidance, our Troop was one of the first in the state to be designated a Unit of Honor. Fifteen boys earned their Eagle Scout, and I was named Scoutmaster of the Year.
- I served on the Board of the Gilmanton Youth Organization. I helped oversee the creation of the athletic fields. I coached basketball, baseball, soccer
- I have served as a Parent, Coach, Benefactor for Holy Trinity Catholic School/St Andre Bessette Parish in Laconia. My wife and I have been instrumental in the restoration of the basketball court.
- I have been a member and benefactor of St. Joseph’s Parish, Belmont for 27 years, and have served as a cantor for the best 20 years.
- I have served as a benefactor of Catholic Charities of New Hampshire. I serve as a member Health Care Committee,
- I have served as a benefactor of the New Hampshire Food Bank
- I have served as a benefactor of the Native American Community Services of Western New York