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Amy Goetzinger

Professor of Anesthesiology
Pain Psychologist (UNC Pain Management Clinic)
Director of Non-Clinical Education
Chair – Wellness Committee / Faculty Wellness Subcommittee

Education

Fellowship: Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Behavioral Medicine, Duke University Medical Center (2010)
Residency: Pre-doctoral Residency, Clinical Health Psychology, Duke University Medical Center (2008)
Post-Graduate: PhD, Clinical Health Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City (2008)
Post-Graduate: MA, Clinical Psychology, Loyola University Maryland (2003)
Undergraduate: BA, Psychology, Loyola University Maryland (2000)

Amy Goetzinger, PhD, is a pain psychologist with the UNC Pain Medicine Division. Her research interests include biopsychosocial approaches for chronic pain, opioid safety and pain, and trauma and pain.

Honors

UNC Anesthesiology Research Honor Roll (2023 – current)
UNC School of Medicine Academy of Educators (2023 – current)
Health Policy Ambassador, Pain/Opioid Use Disorder, Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) (2021-current)
Reviewer – Clinical Psychology in Medical Setting (2011-current)                                                  

Publications

  1. Patidar S, LaRowe LR, Goetzinger A, & Margolies S. Going Beyond Medications for Chronic Pain: Exploring the Alternatives. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences. First published online January 13, 2025.
  2. LaRowe LR, Hardin HK, Goetzinger A, Fox KR, Kilpatrick R, Seng EK, Figueroa R. Position Statement: Support policies to address opioid use disorder among rural communities. J Rural Health. 2025 Jan;41(1):e12899.
  3. LaRowe L, Goetzinger A, Fox K, Kilpatrick R. Position Statement: Pass Legislation To Expand Access To Nonopioid Pain Treatments Among Older Adults. Society of Behavioral Medicine. December 2024.
  4. Mauck ML, Ying Z, Goetzinger A, Tungate AS, Lal A, Barton CE, Beaudoin F, McLean SA. Incidence of Persistent Opioid Use Following Traumatic Injury. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2024; 49(2):79-86.
  5. Caton L, Short NA, Goetzinger A. et al. “My goal is … to get through the day without pain”: A qualitative study on chronic pain experiences and treatment needs among child caregiving women. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2024; 28(7):1210–1218.
  6. Goetzinger A. Acute and Chronic Pain: The Role of Pain Psychology. Anesthesiology. 2024; 66 (37): 24-0072.
  7. Short NA, Patidar S, Margolies SO, Goetzinger A, Chidgey B, & Austin AE. Identifying Patterns of Pain, Depression, Anxiety, and Interpersonal Trauma Exposure associated with Opioid Misuse Risk: Latent Class Analysis among Patients with Chronic Pain. Pain Medicine. 2023; 25(4):275-282.
  8. Chen F, Powers K, Goetzinger A, Patidar SM, Moulthrop A, Pamacheche A, Martinelli SM. A Wakeup Call: Shaping Empathetic Practice in Medicine Using a Book Club. Cureus. 2023; 15(5):e39656.