John C. Oakley, MD, was a world-renowned expert in pain medicine and founding board member of the National Pain Foundation. Born in 1946, his interest in helping people through education or ministry developed into a passion for medicine. After years of college, medical school, internships and residency, John settled back in Seattle, the place of his birth, to establish a private practice in neurosurgical medicine at Northwestern Hospital. After 17 years in Seattle, he moved to Billings, Mont., and joined the Yellowstone Neurological Associates practice.

John's life was tragically cut short in a plane crash on April 17, 2006. His legacy of kindness, curiosity and adventure has continued, however, in the work and in the spirit of the hundreds of colleagues, friends and family members he influenced and inspired during his time on earth.

The John C. Oakley, MD Memorial Fund for Pain Research and Education was established in 2007 to pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Oakley's compassionate care for patients living with pain by:

• supporting his search for better methods of pain management through clinical research and new technologies,
• honoring his gift of teaching through support of educational opportunities for patients and physicians,
• honoring his faith by continuing his exploration of pain and spirituality, and
• honoring his pursuit of excellence in care by supporting and encouraging physicians going into pain management.

"John was a family man, a church man, a loyal friend, a devoted physician, a good citizen of the communities in which he lived. He was a kind man. He transformed the world for the better. John was an adventurer and for this we loved him. We shall miss him, but his spirit will live on. It will be an inspiration to us as we carry on our own work, inspired by his example." - Allen R. Dyer, MD, PhD

As a founding board member of the National Pain Foundation, John was able to share his great knowledge of pain medicine with thousands of patients outside of his practice. He was instrumental in the development of the organization and of the National Pain Foundation's web site. Indeed, visitors to NPF's web site can still benefit from John's gift by clicking on the following links to read articles he contributed. We have also included a spotlight article about John, as well as a piece about the 2007 Triumph Award Dinner in tribute to him, so that readers might get to know this great man a little better.

Back and Neck Video Presentations

An Overview of Interventional Pain Management by John Oakley, M.D.

Interventional Pain Techniques—Understanding "Blocks" by John C. Oakley, MD

Spotlight on John Oakley, M.D.—Interventional Pain Management

Shining a Light of Hope for People Living with Pain—2007 San Francisco Triumph Dinner

If you are interested in helping John's friends and family members continue his legacy of patient care and excellence, please donate to the memorial fund established in his honor in 2007.

Click here to be taken to the online donation page, where you can enter your payment information, or contact us for more information.

John C. Oakley Fund Board of Directors

Mary Pat Aardrup
Giancarlo Barolat, MD
Scott Drees
Allen R. Dyer, MD, PhD
Elliot Krames, MD
John C. (JC) Oakley
Shirley Oakley
Rebekah Robinson
Richard Stieg, MD, MHS
Bill Tierney