Hazelden Betty Ford appoints new director of pain management program

Bruce Zachary Kaplan, MD, has been appointed director of the Pain Management Program at the Betty Ford Center, part of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. In order to devote more time to his family and academic pursuits, Peter Przekop, DO, recently resigned from the position. 

“We are grateful to Dr. Przekop for establishing a strong foundation for this program, and we are confident in the continued growth of this program under the leadership of Dr. Bruce Kaplan,” said Jim Steinhagen, vice president of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation West Region and administrator of the Betty Ford Center, in a press statement. “[And] now that we take insurance, we’re able to help more people who need addiction treatment." 

A graduate of the University of Rochester School of Medicine, Kaplan is the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Addiction Medicine Fellow for 2015 and 2016. He trained in anesthesiology and critical care at New York University Medical Center as well as at the Cleveland Clinic, and is also a diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM). His past experience includes serving as medical director of the pain and palliative medicine program at the New York Hospital/Queens and as physician-in-charge at The Hospice Inn at NorthShore/Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

“With a deep sense of compassion for his patients, Dr. Kaplan brings a profound expertise to his new role,” Steven Eickelberg, MD, medical director of the Betty Ford Center, said in a statement. “Individuals struggling with chronic pain are often coping with co-occurring disorders. Kaplan has the wisdom, empathy and astute gift of healing that is needed for aligning with each patient – right where they are at – and guiding them forward in their recovery journey.”