Adaptation and Impact: Celebrating 25 Years of Service in Pain Management
Sep 4, 2024
As part of our CU Department of Anesthesiology Silver Anniversary program, we're taking a moment to honor Associate Professor Robert Montgomery, DNP, CNS, and his incredible 25+ year career with us. His journey is a testament to adaptability, dedication, and drive for excellence in the world of pain management.
Rob's story begins in the precise and analytical world of engineering. Yet, despite a successful career in the specialty area of Fire Protection Engineering with the Department of the Navy in San Francisco and at the University of Colorado in Boulder, he found himself yearning for a role that offered a direct way to make a difference in people's lives. This led him down an unconventional path from engineering to nursing, driven by a desire to personally impact patient care.
After graduating from one of the first of its kind nursing practice doctorate programs in the country at CU, he worked in both oncology and hospice before landing with the CU Department of Anesthesiology’s Acute Pain Service. He soon expanded his practice to work in the department’s pain medicine clinic for several years before returning to solely staffing the Acute Pain Service and to his passion for educating learners at all levels.
Merging his analytical mindset with the empathetic, patient-centered approach of nursing, in 2005 he was recognized with the Colorado Florence Nightingale Award for Excellence in Human Caring. This unique blend of skills and perspectives allowed him to become known as the pain nurse expert for University of Colorado Hospital, presenting on and supporting all facets of pain assessment, evaluation, and management.
He has been active for over 20 years in the American Society for Pain Management Nursing, helping to teach, support, and educate nurses by serving on the board of directors, the national conference and nominating committees, and as master faculty.
In 2011, he was promoted to Associate Professor, one of the first Advanced Practice Nurse Providers to reach this level of academic achievement in the School of Medicine. He acknowledges the support and encouragement from then Department Chair Thomas Henthorn, MD in pursuing the academic tenure track and feels grateful to all the department faculty who have so willingly shared their knowledge and expertise.
Over the last 25 years, Rob has been instrumental in transforming pain management practices. He was on the front line helping to support the implementation of “then” novel techniques such as ketamine infusions, peripheral nerve blocks, and patient-controlled epidural analgesia. Additionally, he oversaw the significant expansion of the pain management nurse role and our acute pain team from a daily staffing of three to four providers to 10 to 11 providers. His ability to embrace new clinical approaches with a commitment to quality care and patient safety mirrored recent shifts towards safer, non-opioid therapies and comprehensive pain relief strategies pre- and post-surgery.
But Rob's influence extends beyond his clinical achievements. He's been a mentor and collaborator within and outside our department, fostering a team environment that's both supportive and welcoming. By sharing his knowledge and expertise, he's helped shape the future of pain management, ensuring our department continues to lead with innovation, empathy, and excellence.
Reflecting on his career, Rob shares the deep satisfaction he finds in helping patients overcome their pain, from those recovering from surgery, to individuals dealing with chronic conditions. The heartfelt thanks from patients and their families remind us all of the profound impact our work can have, driving home the importance of a patient-first approach.
As we celebrate Robert Montgomery's 25 years of service, we're not just commemorating a personal milestone; we're acknowledging the enduring legacy he's built in pain management, one that will inspire and guide for years to come.
