In Loving Memory
Professor Gabor B. Racz, MD, FIPP
Grover Murray Professor and TTUHSC Endowed Chair
Professor and Chairman Emeritus Department of Anesthesiology
Past President of Texas Pain Society
Founder and Past President of World Institute of Pain
Dr. Racz graduated from The University of Liverpool Medical School, completed his residency at SUNY Upstate Medical Center, and served at SUNY from 1966-1977 when he moved to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, where he served until 2016 as co-director of Pain Services at Grace Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Racz is a founder and past president of the World Institute of Pain and the Texas Pain Society. He is the first Grover E. Murry Professor named after the first President of the Texas Tech University School of Medicine. He has been director of the TTUHSC Pain Symposium since its inception 33 years ago and has also been Director of the annual Budapest Conference since it began 23 years ago. He was the first President of the Texas Pain Society.
Dr. Racz board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology, the American Board of Anesthesiology subspecialty in Pain Medicine, and holds the certificates of Diplomat with the American College of Pain Medicine, Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice awarded by the World Institute of Pain and the Diplomat American Board of Interventional Pain Practice (DABIPP) certification awarded by ASIPP and WIP. He is an advocate for high standards of certification and training among pain physicians and works toward the advancement of those goals.
He has received numerous recognitions and awards from organizations around the world, including the Distinguished Professor Award for Lifetime Achievement from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, the Lifetime Achievement Award(s) from the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, ASIPP keynote speaker lecture series named for Raj/Racz, and the MORICCA AWARD, the highest award presented by the Italian Pain Society. He educated over 1,000 Pain Physician visitors during his tenure at Texas Tech.
He has published over 200 book chapters and journal articles and three books describing his techniques in spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation, neurolysis, radiofrequency thermocoagulation, and other interventional procedures.
Gabor B. Racz, MD, DABIPP, FIPP
July 6, 1937 – June 21, 2025
Director Budapest Conference
Founder and Past President WIP
Member of WIP Executive Board
Dear WIP Family,
It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our beloved colleague, Dr. Gabor Racz. He died peacefully in his sleep on June 21, 2025, surrounded by the love and respect of all who knew him.
Today, we have not only lost an exceptional physician, but each of us has lost a treasured mentor, a trusted colleague, a dear friend, and a truly selfless healer who dedicated his life to serving others. Dr. Racz’s impact on our practice, our profession, and our lives extends far beyond what words can capture.
Though Dr. Racz may no longer be physically present among us, his legacy lives on in countless ways. His wisdom echoes in the halls of our practice, his compassion is reflected in every patient interaction, and his dedication continues to inspire us in our daily work. The lessons he taught us—both through his words and his actions—will forever guide our approach to medicine and patient care.
Dr. Racz would never turn his back on a person in pain, and neither should we. In his memory and in his honor, we must continue to uphold the highest standards of medical care and human compassion. We should strive to embody his unwavering principle: always do what is best for the patient. This commitment to excellence and empathy will be our lasting tribute to his remarkable life and career.
I ask that you keep Dr. Racz’s family, friends, and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this time of grief and remembrance.
Miles Day, MD, FIPP
WIP President
A Life-Changing Encounter That Became a Lifelong Journey
I believe there are encounters in life that are destined—moments that, once they occur, change everything. In 1996, I experienced one such moment—an encounter that transformed my life, my vocation, and the way I viewed my profession.
That was the year I met Professor Gábor B. Rácz—a man who became not only my teacher and mentor but also a true friend. Someone I could always turn to, learn from, and admire. Through him, a whole new world opened to me: the world of chronic pain management.
Our meeting was unplanned. Friends had mentioned a television program in which he was featured. I had never heard his name before, but something compelled me to reach out. Within hours, we were sitting in his apartment, talking. That very afternoon was enough to know that something extraordinary was beginning. We decided to organize the upcoming WIP conference not in Vienna, but in Budapest. I felt that if I could stay close to this man, I could learn—a lot.
Professor Rácz introduced me to a field I had only partially understood. He invited me to Lubbock, to Texas Tech University, where I witnessed not only the highest levels of medical expertise but also deep compassion and unwavering dedication to patients. I observed his examinations and procedures with awe. Every single day taught me something new—sometimes even in the middle of the night, when my phone would ring and he would excitedly share a new case or idea.
He never spared his time. He always responded, always listened, always supported me. He cautioned me against rash decisions and encouraged me when I hesitated. He was my mentor in the truest sense of the word—and more.
His trust in me was one of the greatest gifts. When he entrusted me with the care of his mother—and later, when he allowed me to treat his own knee—I will never forget the overwhelming sense of responsibility and honor. My hands trembled, but my heart was sure: this was the deepest expression of trust.
Over the years, we not only organized conferences and worked side by side, but we also built a deep friendship—one that cannot be taught, only lived. I came to know and love his family, and many people began asking whether we were related. Perhaps not by blood—but certainly in spirit. We shared so much: perseverance, dedication, a deep sense of duty toward our patients, and a relentless drive to see things through.
What Gábor brought back to Hungary was not just knowledge—it was a way of thinking, a standard, a legacy of humanity and professionalism. He taught not only me but also many of my colleagues who felt the same calling toward pain medicine. One such colleague is Dr. Ágnes Réka Stogicza, whose name is now recognized throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Now that he is no longer with us, words are hard to find. But what he left behind remains. His wisdom, his stories, his vision—and above all, the man we will never forget.
Rest in peace, dear Gábor.
Thank you—for changing my path, for shaping my calling, and for your enduring friendship.
Edit Racz, MD, FIPP
Local Arrangement Committee
Dear Friends,
It’s hard to believe that the 28th Annual Gabor Racz Advanced Interventional Budapest Pain Conference and Workshops will soon be upon us. Join us in Budapest, Hungary on August 25th, 26th and 27th for another extraordinary program, along with your opportunity to take the FIPP/CIPS exam(s) on August 28th, 2025. Our primary objective remains to offer the most up-to-date and advanced knowledge on interventional pain while ensuring the highest quality of patient treatment.
Emerging trends in interventional pain management continue to evolve worldwide. From neuromodulation and regenerative medicine advances to new approaches in cryoanalgesia and radiofrequency, the options for treating our pain patients are countless.
The integration of lectures, practical workshops, and FIPP/CIPS tests is made possible by the generous contribution of time from the most exceptional faculty members who impart their knowledge and expertise to the participants. We are fortunate to have Dr. Agnes Stogicza as a prominent figure in the field of ultrasound. She will be imparting her valuable knowledge and insights as she has gathered a highly skilled group of teachers.
Come meet your colleagues and instructors from all over the world; they are excited to teach you. We promise to deliver the best educational goals and firmly believe this conference will offer an experience unlike any other.
We look forward to seeing you in August in Budapest!