Frank A. Kunkel, MD

Frank A. Kunkel, MD, is a board-certified, University of Pittsburgh-trained anesthesiologist. He is a clinical associate professor at the School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh and also serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Accessible Recovery Services, one of the largest addiction treatment practices in the nation. Dr. Kunkel has worked as an acute detoxification physician for more than 10 years. He is considered an expert in the medical management of chronic nonmalignant pain and the medically assisted treatment (MAT) of opioid addiction (OUD).

Throughout his career, Dr. Kunkel has held many leadership positions and served on a variety of well- respected medical advisory boards and committees. His research has been published in publications such as Outpatient Surgery Magazine, The Official Journal of World Institute of Pain, and the Journal of Opioid Management, where he is on the Editorial Board. He is an advisor to multiple health plans, toxicology and pharmacology corporations. He speaks locally and nationally on risk-mitigation strategies for high-risk pain and addiction patients. He is active in clinical research and academic teaching.

Dr. Kunkel has served as an expert consultant for the State of Pennsylvania Department of Welfare regarding the treatment of opioid dependence, for the Office of Medical Assistance Programs in the Division of Pharmacy, for the Drug Utilization Review Board (DURB) regarding appropriate use/risks of narcotic overuse for the Division of Medical Review. He has aided multiple health plans with guidelines surrounding medically assisted treatment of addiction with buprenorphine, and strategies related to opioid use in pain management. He has a special interest in Oral Fluid Drug Testing.

Dr. Kunkel is board certified in anesthesiology and addiction medicine, is a Diplomat of the American Academy of Pain Management and National Board of Examiners, and has certification for buprenorphine detoxifcation.