Dr. Michael A. Fishman, MD, MBA was a distinguished physician, researcher, innovator, and leader in spine and pain medicine whose contributions left a lasting mark on the field. Trained through a residency at Yale New Haven Hospital and a Pain Medicine Fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine, he combined an exceptional education with boundless curiosity, energy, and ambition.
Dr. Fishman was deeply committed to patient advocacy and patient-centered care, grounding his work in rigorous science and data-driven decision-making. He led a Level 1 randomized controlled trials and co-founded Celéri Health, a pioneering outcomes company that transformed how the field measures patient results, moving well beyond conventional pain scales to capture what truly matters to patients. Most recently, he served as Chief Medical Officer of Brixton Biosciences, an innovative company developing a first-of-its-kind drug-free injectable nerve block with the potential to provide months of pain relief — a technology that received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation. In that role, Dr. Fishman led clinical development strategy and drove pivotal studies aimed at changing the standard of care for patients suffering from osteoarthritis and surgical pain. It was a fitting chapter for a physician who was always drawn to ideas that others hadn’t yet dared to pursue.
As a mentor, Dr. Fishman had a rare and generous gift: he gave young physicians the confidence to challenge conventional thinking and pursue ambitious ideas. He pushed colleagues intellectually, questioned assumptions with warmth and humor, and made everyone around him better. He was brilliant, funny, and made everything he did look effortless.
Dr. Fishman is survived by his wife, Dr. Megan Linehan, a fellow pain medicine physician, his sons, and a wide community of colleagues and friends who were fortunate to know him. Together he and Megan shared not only a life, but a deep dedication to the field of pain medicine and to the patients they served.
About the Scholarship
The Michael A. Fishman Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually by the Pacific Spine and Pain Society to one outstanding medical student, resident, fellow, or young physician who embodies the spirit of Dr. Fishman’s life and work. The scholarship provides funding to attend the PSPS annual meeting, where the recipient will have the opportunity to learn from, connect with, and be inspired by leaders in the field, just as Michael inspired so many throughout his career.
Who Should Apply
The ideal recipient is someone who reminds us of Michael himself — a curious, driven, and compassionate emerging physician who:
- Is passionate about improving the lives of patients living with pain
- Approaches medicine with both scientific rigor and an open, questioning mind
- Shows promise in research, innovation, or clinical excellence
- Is willing to challenge conventional thinking and pursue bold ideas
- Demonstrates integrity, humility, and a genuine commitment to the field
This scholarship is not simply for the highest achiever on paper — it is for the kind of physician Michael believed in: someone who makes everyone around them better, who asks hard questions, and who has the courage and curiosity to change the way we think about and treat pain.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a brief personal statement describing their passion for pain medicine, their research or clinical interests, and what they hope to contribute to the field. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of PSPS members who knew and admired Dr. Fishman’s work.