The Olbrecht Lab aims to improve pediatric pain management outcomes and reduce unnecessary opioid exposure using innovative technologies. Even brief opioid exposure in the perioperative period can increase the risk of persistent opioid use and dependence nearly 50-fold compared to children who are not exposed. Currently, the team has been exploring the use of virtual reality (VR) technology in the management of postoperative pain. By developing individualized, immersive, psychological-based therapies delivered via VR, the team aims to reduce pain, anxiety and opioid exposure in children and adolescents. VR is an area with a number of therapeutic possibilities that can positively impact the lives of patients. Despite several studies demonstrating that VR can effectively reduce pain in adults and children, additional research is needed to explore how this technology can be applied systematically to reduce pain in children in the immediate postoperative period and to understand the extent to which reduced pain during immersive VR therapy improves clinical outcomes. By exploring integrating VR therapy as a nonpharmacological approach to pain management in children, the Olbrecht Lab’s work can help improve care for children, improve pain management and minimize opioid exposure. Lab Staff
Vanessa A. Olbrecht, MD, MBA, FASA Principal Investigator Vanessa.Olbrecht@NationwideChildrens.org View My Bibliography Vanessa Olbrecht, MD, MBA, FASA, is a principal investigator in the Center for Clinical and Translational Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She is also the vice chair of quality improvement and development in the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine at Nationwide Children’s and an associate professor of Anesthesiology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Olbrecht’s research focuses on the use of innovative technology in the management of acute postoperative pain and opioid reduction. Dr. Olbrecht is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pediatric Anesthesiology. She graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine as class valedictorian and with honors from the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society before completing her Anesthesiology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. She completed a fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesiology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and was a faculty member at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for over eight years prior to joining the Nationwide Children’s team.
Casey Halle Clinical Research Coordinator Casey.Halle@NationwideChildrens.org Casey Halle is a clinical research coordinator in the Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Prior to working in research, she graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Rehabilitation Science in 2020.
Julie Rice-Weimer, BSN, RN, CCRC Clinical Research Coordinator RN – Lead Julie.Rice-Weimer@NationwideChildrens.org Julie Rice-Weimer is the lead clinical research coordinator in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and is a member of the Biomedical IRB at The Ohio State University. Julie graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing. She is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) through the Academy of Clinical Research Professionals.
Catherine Roth, MPH, CCRP Clinical Research Coordinator Catherine.Roth@NationwideChildrens.org Catherine is a clinical research coordinator in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. Catherine obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Eckerd College and a master of Public Health Epidemiology degree from the University of Toledo. Catherine is a Certified Clinical Research Professional through the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).
External Collaborators
Christopher King, PhD Associate Professor of Pediatrics Christopher.King@cchmc.org Christopher King, PhD, is an associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. As part of the Pediatric Pain Research Center (PPRC) at Cincinnati Children’s, he and his research program focus on understanding the biobehavioral mechanisms contributing to the development and persistence of localized and widespread pain in youth and young adults. To achieve this goal, his group uses multidisciplinary techniques, including pain psychological (quantitative sensory testing), psychoneuroimmunological and sleep methodologies to study pain and the mechanisms contributing to pain development and persistence with the goal of translating basic science research into ways to improve pediatric pain management. He is also evaluating the use of virtual reality (VR) to improve function and reduce pain. Dr. King earned his doctorate in Neuroscience and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pain research at the University of Florida.
Sara Williams, PhD Associate Professor of Pediatrics Sara.Williams@cchmc.org Sara Williams, PhD, is an associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and practices as a pediatric pain psychologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Dr. Williams is the founder and clinical director of the Functional Independence Restoration Program, an intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment program for chronic pain rehabilitation. She is a co-investigator on multiple projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that aim to improve understanding and treatment of pediatric chronic pain. Dr. Williams attended graduate school at Vanderbilt University where she completed her doctorate in Clinical Child Psychology. She went on to complete her residency in Pediatric Psychology at the University of California Los Angeles and her fellowship in Pediatric Pain Psychology at Harvard Medical School.
The Olbrecht Lab aims to improve pediatric pain management outcomes and reduce unnecessary opioid exposure using innovative technologies. Even brief opioid exposure in the perioperative period can increase the risk of persistent opioid use and dependence nearly 50-fold compared to children who are not exposed.
Currently, the team has been exploring the use of virtual reality (VR) technology in the management of postoperative pain. By developing individualized, immersive, psychological-based therapies delivered via VR, the team aims to reduce pain, anxiety and opioid exposure in children and adolescents.
VR is an area with a number of therapeutic possibilities that can positively impact the lives of patients. Despite several studies demonstrating that VR can effectively reduce pain in adults and children, additional research is needed to explore how this technology can be applied systematically to reduce pain in children in the immediate postoperative period and to understand the extent to which reduced pain during immersive VR therapy improves clinical outcomes.
By exploring integrating VR therapy as a nonpharmacological approach to pain management in children, the Olbrecht Lab’s work can help improve care for children, improve pain management and minimize opioid exposure.
Lab Staff
Vanessa A. Olbrecht, MD, MBA, FASA Principal Investigator Vanessa.Olbrecht@NationwideChildrens.org View My Bibliography Vanessa Olbrecht, MD, MBA, FASA, is a principal investigator in the Center for Clinical and Translational Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She is also the vice chair of quality improvement and development in the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine at Nationwide Children’s and an associate professor of Anesthesiology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Olbrecht’s research focuses on the use of innovative technology in the management of acute postoperative pain and opioid reduction. Dr. Olbrecht is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pediatric Anesthesiology. She graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine as class valedictorian and with honors from the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society before completing her Anesthesiology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. She completed a fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesiology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and was a faculty member at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for over eight years prior to joining the Nationwide Children’s team.
Casey Halle Clinical Research Coordinator Casey.Halle@NationwideChildrens.org Casey Halle is a clinical research coordinator in the Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Prior to working in research, she graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Rehabilitation Science in 2020.
Julie Rice-Weimer, BSN, RN, CCRC Clinical Research Coordinator RN – Lead Julie.Rice-Weimer@NationwideChildrens.org Julie Rice-Weimer is the lead clinical research coordinator in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and is a member of the Biomedical IRB at The Ohio State University. Julie graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing. She is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) through the Academy of Clinical Research Professionals.
Catherine Roth, MPH, CCRP Clinical Research Coordinator Catherine.Roth@NationwideChildrens.org Catherine is a clinical research coordinator in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. Catherine obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Eckerd College and a master of Public Health Epidemiology degree from the University of Toledo. Catherine is a Certified Clinical Research Professional through the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).
External Collaborators
Christopher King, PhD Associate Professor of Pediatrics Christopher.King@cchmc.org Christopher King, PhD, is an associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. As part of the Pediatric Pain Research Center (PPRC) at Cincinnati Children’s, he and his research program focus on understanding the biobehavioral mechanisms contributing to the development and persistence of localized and widespread pain in youth and young adults. To achieve this goal, his group uses multidisciplinary techniques, including pain psychological (quantitative sensory testing), psychoneuroimmunological and sleep methodologies to study pain and the mechanisms contributing to pain development and persistence with the goal of translating basic science research into ways to improve pediatric pain management. He is also evaluating the use of virtual reality (VR) to improve function and reduce pain. Dr. King earned his doctorate in Neuroscience and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pain research at the University of Florida.
Sara Williams, PhD Associate Professor of Pediatrics Sara.Williams@cchmc.org Sara Williams, PhD, is an associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and practices as a pediatric pain psychologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Dr. Williams is the founder and clinical director of the Functional Independence Restoration Program, an intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment program for chronic pain rehabilitation. She is a co-investigator on multiple projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that aim to improve understanding and treatment of pediatric chronic pain. Dr. Williams attended graduate school at Vanderbilt University where she completed her doctorate in Clinical Child Psychology. She went on to complete her residency in Pediatric Psychology at the University of California Los Angeles and her fellowship in Pediatric Pain Psychology at Harvard Medical School.
Vanessa A. Olbrecht, MD, MBA, FASA Principal Investigator Vanessa.Olbrecht@NationwideChildrens.org View My Bibliography Vanessa Olbrecht, MD, MBA, FASA, is a principal investigator in the Center for Clinical and Translational Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She is also the vice chair of quality improvement and development in the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine at Nationwide Children’s and an associate professor of Anesthesiology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Olbrecht’s research focuses on the use of innovative technology in the management of acute postoperative pain and opioid reduction. Dr. Olbrecht is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pediatric Anesthesiology. She graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine as class valedictorian and with honors from the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society before completing her Anesthesiology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. She completed a fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesiology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and was a faculty member at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for over eight years prior to joining the Nationwide Children’s team.
Vanessa A. Olbrecht, MD, MBA, FASA Principal Investigator Vanessa.Olbrecht@NationwideChildrens.org View My Bibliography
Vanessa Olbrecht, MD, MBA, FASA, is a principal investigator in the Center for Clinical and Translational Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She is also the vice chair of quality improvement and development in the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine at Nationwide Children’s and an associate professor of Anesthesiology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Olbrecht’s research focuses on the use of innovative technology in the management of acute postoperative pain and opioid reduction.
Dr. Olbrecht is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pediatric Anesthesiology. She graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine as class valedictorian and with honors from the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society before completing her Anesthesiology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. She completed a fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesiology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and was a faculty member at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for over eight years prior to joining the Nationwide Children’s team.
Casey Halle Clinical Research Coordinator Casey.Halle@NationwideChildrens.org Casey Halle is a clinical research coordinator in the Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Prior to working in research, she graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Rehabilitation Science in 2020.
Casey Halle Clinical Research Coordinator Casey.Halle@NationwideChildrens.org
Casey Halle is a clinical research coordinator in the Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Prior to working in research, she graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Rehabilitation Science in 2020.
Julie Rice-Weimer, BSN, RN, CCRC Clinical Research Coordinator RN – Lead Julie.Rice-Weimer@NationwideChildrens.org Julie Rice-Weimer is the lead clinical research coordinator in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and is a member of the Biomedical IRB at The Ohio State University. Julie graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing. She is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) through the Academy of Clinical Research Professionals.
Julie Rice-Weimer, BSN, RN, CCRC Clinical Research Coordinator RN – Lead Julie.Rice-Weimer@NationwideChildrens.org
Julie Rice-Weimer is the lead clinical research coordinator in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and is a member of the Biomedical IRB at The Ohio State University. Julie graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing. She is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) through the Academy of Clinical Research Professionals.
Catherine Roth, MPH, CCRP Clinical Research Coordinator Catherine.Roth@NationwideChildrens.org Catherine is a clinical research coordinator in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. Catherine obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Eckerd College and a master of Public Health Epidemiology degree from the University of Toledo. Catherine is a Certified Clinical Research Professional through the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).
Catherine Roth, MPH, CCRP Clinical Research Coordinator Catherine.Roth@NationwideChildrens.org
Catherine is a clinical research coordinator in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. Catherine obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Eckerd College and a master of Public Health Epidemiology degree from the University of Toledo. Catherine is a Certified Clinical Research Professional through the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).
Christopher King, PhD Associate Professor of Pediatrics Christopher.King@cchmc.org Christopher King, PhD, is an associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. As part of the Pediatric Pain Research Center (PPRC) at Cincinnati Children’s, he and his research program focus on understanding the biobehavioral mechanisms contributing to the development and persistence of localized and widespread pain in youth and young adults. To achieve this goal, his group uses multidisciplinary techniques, including pain psychological (quantitative sensory testing), psychoneuroimmunological and sleep methodologies to study pain and the mechanisms contributing to pain development and persistence with the goal of translating basic science research into ways to improve pediatric pain management. He is also evaluating the use of virtual reality (VR) to improve function and reduce pain. Dr. King earned his doctorate in Neuroscience and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pain research at the University of Florida.
Christopher King, PhD Associate Professor of Pediatrics Christopher.King@cchmc.org
Christopher King, PhD, is an associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. As part of the Pediatric Pain Research Center (PPRC) at Cincinnati Children’s, he and his research program focus on understanding the biobehavioral mechanisms contributing to the development and persistence of localized and widespread pain in youth and young adults. To achieve this goal, his group uses multidisciplinary techniques, including pain psychological (quantitative sensory testing), psychoneuroimmunological and sleep methodologies to study pain and the mechanisms contributing to pain development and persistence with the goal of translating basic science research into ways to improve pediatric pain management. He is also evaluating the use of virtual reality (VR) to improve function and reduce pain. Dr. King earned his doctorate in Neuroscience and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pain research at the University of Florida.
Sara Williams, PhD Associate Professor of Pediatrics Sara.Williams@cchmc.org Sara Williams, PhD, is an associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and practices as a pediatric pain psychologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Dr. Williams is the founder and clinical director of the Functional Independence Restoration Program, an intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment program for chronic pain rehabilitation. She is a co-investigator on multiple projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that aim to improve understanding and treatment of pediatric chronic pain. Dr. Williams attended graduate school at Vanderbilt University where she completed her doctorate in Clinical Child Psychology. She went on to complete her residency in Pediatric Psychology at the University of California Los Angeles and her fellowship in Pediatric Pain Psychology at Harvard Medical School.
Sara Williams, PhD Associate Professor of Pediatrics Sara.Williams@cchmc.org
Sara Williams, PhD, is an associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and practices as a pediatric pain psychologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Dr. Williams is the founder and clinical director of the Functional Independence Restoration Program, an intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment program for chronic pain rehabilitation. She is a co-investigator on multiple projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that aim to improve understanding and treatment of pediatric chronic pain. Dr. Williams attended graduate school at Vanderbilt University where she completed her doctorate in Clinical Child Psychology. She went on to complete her residency in Pediatric Psychology at the University of California Los Angeles and her fellowship in Pediatric Pain Psychology at Harvard Medical School.
