Heather Tick MD.  I studied medicine and received my MD from the University of Toronto, School of Medicine after graduating from UC Irvine with a Masters in English Literature. I have been an active member of the pain field for over thirty years. In Toronto, I co-founded and directed one of the first inter-disciplinary pain centers, from 1991-2008. We had a collaborative interprofessional group of healers: physicians, naturopaths, acupuncturists, massage therapists, movement therapists, energy healers, and other integrative practitioners. We establishing a holistic and inclusive setting for health care for pain patients and others with complex, orphan conditions.  We learned from eachother and also from our patients how best to solve the dilemmas of care.

                  In 2007 I was recruited by the University of Arizona Health Plan, to start an integrative pain clinic for Medicaid patients.  In 2012 I was recruited to the University of Washington, Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, as the first Gunn-Loke Endowed Professor of Integrative Pain Medicine. I participated on the clinical teaching team for meds students, residents and pain fellows who were able to witness and experience the power of whole health and comprehensive nonpharmacologic care in pain patients. 

In 2018 as Chair of the Pain Task Force for the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health, I co- authored Evidence-Based Nonpharmacologic Strategies for Comprehensive Pain Care: The Consortium Pain Task Force White Paper, which has been influential in driving system change in many jurisdictions in both national and international pain communities.  My primary work focus has always been health system transformation. I write and deliver educational curriculum for health care professionals as well as the public, whom I see as a key driver of system transformation. I have written two books on comprehensive care. Holistic Pain Relief, was published in 2013.

I enjoy my family including my new granddaughter with whom I share a love of trees and flowers. I love to cook, read, write, listen to music and spend time outdoors.