NSPC: A National Network with a Local Touch

As the lead practitioner in National Spine & Pain Centers’ Waldorf office, I have the best of all worlds.

I have the support, both logistically and professionally, of a network of more than 90 fellow pain management practitioners with whom I can confer on difficult cases. I am part of a powerhouse team of double-board certified physicians who have completed advanced training and fellowships that enable us to bring the latest insights and expertise to challenging cases. Many of my colleagues have been widely published in academic and research journals and have participated in trials for some of the most advanced pain management treatments available today. I am grateful to be able to collaborate with them.

On the other hand, I also enjoy the luxury of operating a neighborhood practice. I have been in National Spine & Pain Centers’ Waldorf office since it opened in 2011. Over the ensuing seven-plus years, I have had the opportunity to build strong relationships with my patients. I enjoy getting to know them, their stories and their hopes for living pain-free.

It may sound counter-intuitive, but one of the greatest rewards of my professional career is to help people get to the point where they no longer need me. Although I miss catching up on things like what’s happening with their grandkids or their latest sports accomplishments, I take solace in the fact that if they are not seeing me, it means they are busy living life again.

Of course, I also appreciate the fact that as a bit of a neighborhood “institution”, I receive numerous referrals from patients who tell their family and friends that they should see me. There truly is nothing like word-of-mouth recommendations. I am forever grateful that people trust me enough to share my name with people they care about.

I also work hard to be sure that other local physicians understand the important role pain specialists can play in caring for their patients. I regularly give educational presentations to other local healthcare providers and speak to community groups about how early pain management intervention can effectively address pain and prevent the introduction or escalation of prescription painkillers, particularly narcotic opioids.

As it has been repeatedly stated, our nation’s current opioid epidemic has impacted all our communities. As a healthcare provider, and particularly as a specialist in pain medicine, I am committed to doing all I can to support the safety and well-being of the Waldorf community that has so generously supported me.