Residency Faculty

Michael Amster, MD (he/him)

Director of Pain Management Curriculum

Michael Amster, MD, is director for pain management curriculum, being double boarded in pain management and family medicine, and founder of the pain management program at Santa Cruz Community Health, as part of the residency continuity clinic. Michael attended UC Irvine School of Medicine, family medicine residency at UC Davis, and anesthesia pain management fellowship at the University of Iowa. He was a pioneer, completing his pain fellowship prior to this option being offered by the ABFM.  Michael has been a practitioner of meditation for over thirty years and is also a certified yoga and meditation teacher. 

He splits his time between clinical work and researching positive emotions and health at the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science.  Michael is also the co-author of The Power of Awe:  Overcome Burnout & Anxiety, Ease Chronic Pain, Find Clarity & Purpose—In Less Than 1 Minute Per Day  (www.thepowerofawe.com). He loves the Santa Cruz lifestyle, living in Capitola with his family, and enjoys sailing, surfing, mountain biking, hiking, and travel.