Biosketch

Dr. Ann Berger earned her undergraduate degree, a B.S. in nursing, from New York University, followed by an M.S.N. in oncology nursing from University of Pennsylvania. After working as an oncology clinical nurse specialist for several years, she completed her medical training at Medical College of Ohio in Toledo. Dr. Berger next did an internship and residency at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut and a fellowship in medical oncology and pain/palliative care at Yale University in Connecticut. Then, as an assistant professor in medicine and anesthesiology at Yale, Dr. Berger started a palliative care service.

Dr. Berger founded her second successful palliative care service while serving as an assistant professor in medicine and anesthesiology at Cooper Hospital/University Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey. During her four-year tenure there, her service was actively involved in the care of patients and in education and research. She initiated a palliative care course for medical students, residents and fellows and also used her expertise while chairing the ethics committee.

In addition, Dr. Berger served as medical director of Lighthouse Hospice and as director of supportive care services at Cooper Hospital/University Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey. During this time she received two grants as project director of a pain and palliative care scholars program and as project director for a project designed to develop pain/palliative care teams in New Jersey long-term care facilities.

Since August 2000, Dr. Berger has been chief of the Pain and Palliative Care Service at the NIH Clinical Center, where she has clinical, teaching, research and administrative responsibilities.

Nationally, Dr. Berger has been chair of the NIH CC Pain and Palliative Care Collaborative Working Group and member of the steering committee for the National Palliative Care Consensus Project.

Honors and Awards

Circle of Excellence Award-Samaritan Hospice,2002; NJ State Senate & Legislative Proclamation, 2002; Clinical Center Director’s Award, National Institutes of Health, 2001; outstanding leadership in palliative care in long-term care - New Jersey Seed, NJ Dept. of Health and Senior Services, Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly, Cooper Health System, 1998-2000; Spirit of Hospice Award - NJ Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, 1999; Hospice Medical Director Award - NJ Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, 1998.

Publications

BOOKS AND BOOK CHAPTERS

Berger A. Cancer and Chronic Pain: Myths and Facts. CMP Healthcare Media. (in press)

Berger A, Shuster J, Von Roenn J. Principles and Practice of Palliative Care and Supportive Oncology, 3rd ed., Lippincott-Raven, 2006

Berger A, deSwaan C. Healing Pain: The Innovative, Breakthrough Plan to Overcome Your Physical Pain and Emotional Suffering, Rodale Publishers 2006

Berger A. Handbook of Supportive Oncology. CMP Healthcare Media. 2005.

Berger A. (eds) Cancer Pain For The Health Care Professional. CMP Healthcare Media, 2004.

Berger A. (eds) Chemotherapy Related Nausea and Vomiting. CMP Healthcare Media . 2004.

Berger A. Cancer Fatigue: Myths and Facts. CMP Healthcare Media.2004.

Berger A, Portenoy, Weisman D. Principles and Practice of Palliative Care and Supportive Oncology, 2nd ed., Lippincott-Raven, 2002

Berger A, Portenoy R, Weissman D. Principles and Practice of Supportive Oncology, 1st ed., Lippincott-Raven, 1998

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Hartman JM, Berger A, Baker K, Bolle J, Handel D, Mannes D, Pereira D, St Germaine D, Sobolian N, Ronasville, Torvik S, Calis K A, Phillips TM, Cizza G. Quality of life and pain in Premenopausal women with Major Depressive Disorder: The role of Substance P and Calcitonin-gene-related peptide. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 2006 Jan 18:4(1):2.

Wiser W, Berger A. Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting-A Practical Approach. Oncology, 19:5 April 2005 637-645.

Locklin JL, Mannes A, Berger A, Wood B. Palliation of Soft Tissue Cancer Pain with Radiofrequency Ablation. Journal of Supportive Oncology,2:5, Sept/October 2004.

Berger A, Baker K, Bolle J, Pereira D. Establishing a Palliative Care Program in a Research Center: Evolution of a Model. Cancer Investigation. 21(2), 2003:313-320.

Berger A. Treating Fatigue in Cancer Patients. The Oncologist. 8 (suppl 1), 2003:10-14.

Berger A, Pereira D, Baker K, O’Mara A, Bolle J. Social and Cultural Determinants of End-of-life Care. The Gerontologist. Vol 42, Special Issue III, 2002: 49-53

Berger A, Koprowski C. Treatment of Malignant Bone Pain. Principles and Practice of Oncology Update. DeVita, V.T., Hellman S., and Rosenberg SA, Editors, 13:5, 1999.

Berger A, Sabersski L. Diagnosing and Managing Pain Associated with Postmastectomy. Two case studies. Surgical Physician Assistant, 3:4, 51-54, April 1997

Berger A, Bartoshuk L, Duffy V, Nodoolman W. Capsaicin For The treatment of Oral Mucositis Pain. Principles and Practice of Oncology Update. DeVita, V.T.,Hellman S., and Rosenberg S.A., Editors, 9:1, 1995

Berger A, Henderson M, Nadoolman W, Cooper D, Duffy V, Saberski L, Bartoshuk L. Oral Capsaicin Provides Temporary Relief for Oral Mucositis Pain Secondary to Chemotherapy/Radiation therapy. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 10:3, 243-248, April 1995