FDF Welcomes Dr. Daniel Handel to the Medical Advisory Council
The Fibrous Dysplasia Foundation (FDF) is pleased to announce that Dr. Daniel Handel has accepted an invitation to join the FDF Medical Advisory Council. The Medical Advisory Council is a body of talented clinicians with substantial experience treating FD/MAS who contribute to FDF initiatives and advise the FDF on matters related to medical treatment.
Dr. Handel brings a very important perspective to the Medical Advisory Council as a pain management specialist. Most adults with FD, and about half of children with FD, experience bone pain as a symptom. Many people living with FD/MAS, struggle to manage bone pain.
Dr. Handel is the founding Chief of Palliative Medicine at Denver Health. He was previously the founding Director of the National Institutes of Health Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program. Dr. Handel served as a Senior Staff member at the NIH Clinical Center for over ten years. During that time, he treated many people with FD/MAS who were experiencing pain as a result of their FD/MAS, or FD/MAS treatments.
“Our Medical Advisory Council is extremely important to the Foundation. The Medical Advisory Council helps write and update the information on www.fibrousdysplasia.org. They also help us plan the content of our conference, including recruiting high-quality speakers. Their clinical insights and questions inform our research strategy. They are truly our go-to panel of medical experts,” explains Fibrous Dysplasia Foundation Executive Director Deanna Portero. “Dr. Handel is very talented, and will help the Fibrous Dysplasia Foundation serve the needs of people struggling with pain more effectively.”
Dr. Handel is no stranger to going above and beyond the basic duties of a physician. Through the years, he has shared his considerable expertise in pain management through volunteer leadership positions in the American Cancer Society, the NIH Palliative Care Medical Working Group, the Texas Medical Association, the State Cancer Pain Initiative and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
In 2014, he presented at the FDF Patient and Family Conference on the subject of Integrative Pain Approaches, showing great breadth of knowledge, as well as true compassion.