Faculty Profile
Meet Dr. Christopher Herndon: Your Guide to Pain Management and Palliative Care
Dr. Christopher Herndon is not just a professor at the SIUE School of Pharmacy; he’s a passionate mentor and trailblazer in pain management and palliative care education. Since joining the faculty in 2006, Dr. Herndon has dedicated his career to improving patient outcomes through innovative teaching and groundbreaking research.
As an engaging educator, Dr. Herndon has authored essential texts like What Do I Do Now? Pain Management in Palliative Care and Principles of Analgesic Use, helping future pharmacists master the complexities of pain management. His upcoming book, Cannabis and Cannabinoids: A Primer for Pharmacists, is set to be an invaluable resource for clinicians navigating the evolving landscape of cannabis use in patient care.
Dr. Herndon’s commitment to education goes beyond the classroom. He is deeply invested in mentoring students, earning recognition from the American Society of Pain Educators and multiple awards as Preceptor of the Year at SIUE. He precepts pharmacy students and residents as well as medical residents in his pain management clinic at Southern Illinois Health Foundation in O’Fallon, IL. His passion for teaching inspires students to excel and make a real difference in the lives of their patients.
With over 100 peer-reviewed publications in esteemed journals like Pain Medicine and Journal of Pain Research, Dr. Herndon’s research on opioid stewardship and pain management is making waves in both clinical practice and health policy. As the Principal Investigator for the NIH-funded Center of Excellence in Pain Education at SIUE (one of only 11 nationwide), he collaborates with top institutions like Harvard, Johns Hopkins, UCSF, and University of Washington, among others. Currently serving as President of the Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists (SPPCP) Foundation, Dr. Herndon leads a passionate team committed to empowering pharmacists to provide exceptional care for patients in pain or facing life-limiting illnesses.
His accolades, including Pharmacist of the Year by the Illinois Pharmacists Association and Fellow status in both the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), showcase his unwavering dedication to advancing the pharmacy profession. As a member of the inaugural specialty council on pain management for the Board of Pharmacy Specialties, Dr. Herndon is helping to establish important recognition and certification for pharmacists in the field of pain management and pharmacotherapy of palliative care.
Whether in the classroom or through research, Dr. Herndon is dedicated to fostering the next generation of pharmacists. Join him on this journey to shape the future of pharmacy and patient care!
