Lynn R. Webster, MD, FACPM, FASAM
Medical Director, Lifetree Clinical Research and Pain Clinic
President, Utah Academy of Pain Medicine
Dr. Webster is board certified in anesthesiology and pain management and is also certified in addiction medicine. In his private practice, he treats chronic-pain patients, many of whom have complex diagnoses. He also detoxes opioid-addicted patients. This dual role lends Dr. Webster a valuable perspective: He is dedicated to treating patients in pain while simultaneously working to minimize the potential for abuse and addiction.
His clinical research interests are diverse. They include pain and pain mechanisms, substance abuse and addiction, the relationship between sleep and pain, and cultural and political attitudes toward pain management. A primary focus is the development of agents to treat pain that resist abuse or utilize innovative modes of administration. His research has led to the publication of many scientific articles, abstracts and textbook chapters, and he lectures extensively. He has authored or coauthored articles in journals that include Pain Medicine, the Clinical Journal of Pain, Practical Pain Management, the Journal of Opioid Management and the American Journal of Therapeutics.
His Zero Unintentional Deaths campaign took him to local and national communities where he lectured and made media appearances -- including on ABC News’ 20/20 and Court TV’s Catherine Crier Live -- in support of safe methadone prescribing guidelines. He formed a non-profit organization to raise funds for research and education to prevent prescription overdose deaths while preserving access to pain treatment.
Dr. Webster was instrumental in launching the Utah chapter of the American Academy of Pain Medicine and serves as president. This organization seeks to achieve high medical standards, improve access to pain care and educate all interested parties about the many pain-related scientific and social issues. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiologists, a fellow of the American College of Pain Medicine and a member of the American Pain Society and American Medical Association among other professional associations. Dr. Webster earned his doctorate of medicine from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed his residency in the University of Utah Medical Center’s department of anesthesiology.
Mark Harris, MD
Dr. Harris has served as medical director for Konsult Colorado River and Trail Expeditions in Salt Lake City and as a high school physician specializing in sports medicine in California. He has worked as an emergency room physician and pharmacy coordinator for a free clinic and also served as a drug information specialist and clinical instructor for the Intermountain Regional Poison Control Center. He lectures frequently on poison control and medication safety, and his research interests include post-operative pain management and novel agents to treat pain.
His educational background confers a broad base of pain-related knowledge and includes a fellowship in pain medicine, residencies in anesthesiology and an internship in internal medicine. Dr. Harris completed medical school at Ross University in Edison, New Jersey, and earned a bachelor’s of science in Pharmacy from the University of Utah. He has also studied in New York, Connecticut, San Francisco and Ensenada, Mexico.
N. Lee Smith, MD
Dr. Smith specializes in internal medicine and brings valuable expertise on stress management to Lifetree patients. A dedicated teacher, he gives frequent workshops and lectures on stress resilience and behavioral management. He also serves as clinical adjunct faculty at the University of Utah School of Medicine where he was an associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine for 10 years.
Professionally, he has served as chief medical resident at Salt Lake City V.A. Hospital and as director of stress medicine at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital. He served residencies in internal medicine and a surgery internship at the University of Utah. His medical degree is from the University of California at San Francisco.
Dr. Smith is vice president of the Intermountain Institute for Spirituality and Healing Medicine, and he serves on the board of directors of the Organization for Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Education.
Dr. Tom Trauba, MD
Dr. Trauba is board certified in psychiatry and pain management. He served as associate resident training director for the University of Utah psychiatry department, where he taught residents and medical students, contributed to administration and helped develop curriculum. He earned his medical degree from the University of Utah and completed his residency in psychiatry at university-affiliated hospitals. Dr. Trauba is experienced in inpatient, outpatient and consultation liaison psychiatry. His specialties in pain treatment include the use of acupuncture, simple injection techniques and the overlap of pain and psychiatry.
Keri L. Fakata, PharmD
Pharmacist Controlled Substance
Fellowship in Pain Management
Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy
Dr. Fakata is a clinical pharmacy practitioner specializing in pain management and palliative care. The services she provides include comprehensive medication evaluations with the goal of providing cost-effective drug therapy for pain. This includes screening for drug-drug interactions and managing drug-related side effects. An experienced clinical researcher, Dr. Fakata partners with the clinic's other physicians to provide patients access to investigational treatments for pain. Dr Fakata received her doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed her general pharmacy practice residency and pain management and palliative care post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Utah.
Troy Hunter, APRN
Mr. Hunter began his career as a surgical technician at Primary Children’s Medical Center where he was part of the open-heart team. He earned his master’s of science in nursing from the University of Utah. The advanced degree followed a distinguished undergraduate career during which he graduated summa cum laude -- not once but twice – obtaining bachelor’s degrees in nursing and music. In his work as a surgical Intensive Care Unit nurse at the University of Utah Health Science Center, Mr. Hunter provided care for post-surgical and trauma patients. He has participated in a number of clinical research projects and remains active in ongoing research.
Cathy Seegers, APRN
Ms. Seegers is a nurse practitioner who provides medical and psychiatric care for patients with chronic illnesses. Her special interest in behavioral medicine lends itself to working with chronic pain patients, as she incorporates stress resiliency interventions and supportive counseling into daily practice. Ms. Seegers obtained her Master of Science degree in nursing from the University of Utah. She is board certified in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing and as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her professional career has spanned hospice home care, university research, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric and addiction care, acute medical nursing, and chronic pain outpatient treatment. Prior to joining Lifetree, Ms. Seegers worked in collaborative practice with N. Lee Smith, M.D. at the Center for Interdisciplinary Medicine. Other professional activities have included educational presentations and written articles for community service groups and health care professionals. Topics have included fibromyalgia and sleep problems, stress management, and adjustment to chronic illness.
Mary Jean Walker, APRN
Ms. Walker brings more than 30 years experience as a registered nurse and is a nationally certified family nurse practitioner. She has worked many of those years in the field of neurosurgery. She holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and nursing and earned her master’s of science in nursing from Westminster College. Her master’s thesis addressed the subject of post-operative pain management. Ms. Walker has written several scientific journal articles and continues to expand her interest in research.
Rebecca Wallace, APRN
Ms. Wallace is an experienced, nationally certified family nurse practitioner with a strong background in pain management. She holds bachelor’s and master’s of science nursing degrees, completing both the family and pediatrics tracks of study. A Navy Lieutenant Commander, she served 17 years with the Army and Navy Reserves and has traveled worldwide to work in Navy branch medical clinics. Ms. Wallace served as chair of Utah Nurse Practitioners from 1996 to 1999. She has a particular interest in the management of pain through relaxation techniques, cognitive and stress management, nutrition and movement therapies such as yoga.
