AMERICAN PAIN CONSORTIUM (APC) - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Center for Special Surgery, ASC Manager View Profile
Andrea is the ASC Manager for the Center for Special Surgery.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Integrated Pain Solutions Fairfield Practice Manager View Profile
Basma Rabbat Akbik brings extensive experience to her role as Office Manager at Integrated Pain Solutions - Fairfield. Originally from Damascus, Basma holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Damascus University and is fluent in Arabic, French, and English.
Basma has made valuable contributions across various positions, from serving as an Editing Assistant at Meniscus in Philadelphia to working as an Interpreter at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati. Beyond her professional endeavors, Basma is deeply involved in philanthropy, contributing to Atlantic Humanitarian Relief, an NGO founded by her husband, and actively supporting causes like refugee assistance.
With a passion for family, Basma is the proud mother of two law students and enjoys her "me" time walking her dog Bella while listening to podcasts. Her commitment to personal well-being is evident in her love for exercise and continuous exploration of historical knowledge.
Job Titles:
- Medical Assistant
- Center for Pain Indianapolis Medical Assistant Team Lead View Profile
- Certified Medical Assistant With an Associates Degree
Cheryl is the Medical Assistant Team Lead for the Center for Pain Indianapolis location. She has been with Center for Pain for 8 years and has enjoyed the working as a team to provide the most efficient patient experience. Cheryl has been a Medical Assistant since 1983, previously working in Oncology, OBGYN, Endocrinology, Family Practice, and in a hospital setting as a Phlebotomist. In addition to her clinical work, she has experience teaching Medical Assisting as well as serving as the Program Director for the Medical Assisting Program and the Insurance Coding and Billing Program.
Cheryl is a Certified Medical Assistant with an Associates Degree in Medical Office Management. She was born and raised in Northern Ohio and has since relocated to Indiana with her husband and 8 year old Cocker Spaniel, Max.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Integrated Pain Solutions Springfield Practice Manager View Profile
- Office Manager at Integrated Pain Solutions
Christie Roberts, CMA is the Office Manager at Integrated Pain Solutions in Springfield, OH. Christie has 6 years of experience as a Medical Assistant in Pain Management healthcare. She began her career with IPS in 2020 as the interim Practice Manager and has recently served the role of Lead Medical Assistant.
She attended Clark State Community College to obtain her Associates of Applied Science in Medical Assisting in 2016. She is currently a candidate for a Bachelors degree in Healthcare Management. She is a local to Springfield where she enjoys her time with her 3 wonderful sons.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Regional Director of Clinic Operations View Profile
Job Titles:
- Regional Director of Clinic Operations View Profile
Job Titles:
- Anesthesiologist & Pain Management Specialist
- Center for Pain Management in 2022 As the First Physician
- Meet David Walega, MD Locations
Dr. Andrew Cook joined Center for Pain Management in 2022 as the first physician at our Avon location. He brings not only hands-on experience but also a wide range of research experience and has presented at conferences on a variety of pain management topics as well as anesthesiology.
Dr. Cook attended Duke University for his undergraduate studies and earned his doctorate at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He believes in using a multidisciplinary approach to diagnose and treat pain with minimally invasive procedures. His specializations include neuromodulation, spinal cord stimulators, joint injections, intrathecal pump implants, and more.
Job Titles:
- Anesthesiologist Pain Management Specialist
- Meet David Walega, MD Locations
Dr. Ashley Tolbert joined Center for Pain Management in 2020 and sees patients at the Greenwood location. Dr. Tolbert is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and Board Certified by the American Board of Pain Medicine. She is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, North American Neuromodulation Society, and American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.
Dr. Tolbert specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic pain, along with cancer-related pain, with a special interest in chronic pain management following joint replacement or orthopedic injuries. Her primary patient treatments include neuromodulation, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and vertebral augmentation.
Affiliations
Center for Pain Management - Greenwood
Education
Medical School
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Job Titles:
- Anesthesiologist & Pain Management Specialist
- Meet David Walega, MD Locations
Dr. David Gordon joined Center for Pain Management in 2018 and sees patients at the clinic's Indianapolis and Greenwood locations. He enjoys using evidence-based pain management techniques to improve his patients' quality of life.
Dr. Gordon's specialties include neuromodulation procedures that target pain signals at the source nerves, and diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic pain.
Background
Prior to joining Center for Pain Management, Dr. Gordon completed a pain medicine fellowship at the prestigious University of California San Francisco Medical Center.
Dr. Gordon is a native of Granger, IN. He enjoys hiking, travel, exercise, and watching movies with his wife and children.
Job Titles:
- Member of the APC Leadership Team
Job Titles:
- Medical Director of Integrated Pain Solutions
- Meet David Walega, MD Locations
- Physician Emeritus
Dr. Gladstone C. McDowell II is the Medical Director of Integrated Pain Solutions in Columbus, Ohio. His goal as a pain management specialist is to help patients live healthier, happier lives.
In addition to treating patients in Ohio for years, Dr. McDowell has participated in numerous conferences and led training sessions throughout the United States for aspiring pain management physicians. Dr. McDowell's research is published in peer-reviewed medical journals, and he has authored book chapters regarding Urology and Anesthesiology.
Job Titles:
- Anesthesiologist Pain Management Specialist
- Meet David Walega, MD Locations
- Physician at Center for Pain Management
Dr. Jocelyn Bush has been a physician at Center for Pain Management since 2009. She enjoys the patient-physician relationship and aims to create a comfortable environment that inspires trust and confidence.
Dr. Bush's specialties include spinal cord stimulator implants and responsible medication management.
Background
Before joining Center for Pain Management, Dr. Bush participated in organ-transplant research at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, and at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Her volunteer work has supported breast cancer research, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and the Center for Leadership Development, an organization that helps minority youth in Central Indiana prepare for leadership roles.
Job Titles:
- Meet David Walega, MD Locations
- Physician Emeritus
Dr. John J. Fitzgerald joined Center for Pain Management in 2004. He has practiced medicine in Indiana for more than 30 years, and he has lectured on interventional pain management throughout the United States. He enjoys getting to know his patients and creating individualized treatment plans.
Dr. Fitzgerald specializes in radiofrequency ablation - RFA - a procedure in which a radio wave heats a nerve ending to decrease pain signals. This treatment helps alleviate pain that originates in the spine.
Background
Dr. Fitzgerald previously served as the chair of anesthesiology at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was also a commissioned officer in the United States Public Health Service - a role that helped him see the true impact of chronic pain and motivated him to pursue pain management as a career focus.
Job Titles:
- Anesthesiologist Pain Management Specialist
- Meet David Walega, MD Locations
Dr. Joseph C. Rutledge joined Center for Pain Management in 2020. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology with added qualifications in Pain Management. He is a member of the American Medical Association, American Society of Anesthesiologists, International Neuromodulation Society, American Society of Regional Anesthesia, and the North American Society of Neuromodulation. He has expertise in diagnostics, interventional procedures, and multidisciplinary treatment for acute and chronic pain.
Job Titles:
- Physician
- Anesthesiologist Pain Management Specialist
- Meet David Walega, MD Locations
Dr. Omar Ali is a physician and the medical director at Integrated Pain Solutions in Springfield, Ohio, who specializes in interventional pain management and neuromodulation. He chose the field of pain management because he wanted the opportunity to develop long-lasting relationships with patients and to help alleviate their pain and suffering.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, in his spare time Dr. Ali enjoys spending time with his wife and child, soccer, basketball, and cooking.
Job Titles:
- Anesthesiologist & Pain Management Specialist
- Meet David Walega, MD Locations
Dr. Scott Kim joined Center for Pain Management in 2017 and sees patients at the Greenwood location. He has notable expertise in a wide range of interventional medical procedures for treating acute and chronic pain conditions.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Integrated Pain Solutions Practice Physician Liaison View Profile
Job Titles:
- Center for Pain Lafayette Practice Manager View Profile
Emily Mohn began her journey with pain management in 2010. From 2010 to 2016, she worked with the clinical staff at her practice. She officially joined Center for Pain Management in 2016 when she transitioned into management under the leadership of Dr. Edward Kowlowitz.
She graduated from Ivy Tech with her LPN in 2006 and obtained her license in 2007.
She is a native of Lafayette, IN. In her free time, she spends time with family, watches her son play sports, and enjoys the outdoors.
Heather McDowell joined Integrated Pain Solutions in Springfield, OH, an affiliate of American Pain Consortium, in 2016 as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She earned her MSN Degree from Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH in 2015. Previously, Heather worked as a Registered Nurse at the Dublin Methodist Hospital on the Medical/Surgical Unit. Heather enjoys using her clinical skills to treat those in pain, but also enjoys developing a rapport and relationship with patients and their families.
Affiliations
Integrated Pain Solutions - Springfield
Education
Graduate Studies
Masters of Science in Nursing Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
2015
Job Titles:
- Physician Liaison View Profile / Julie Williams Center for Pain Evansville and Jasper Practice Manager View Profile
- Practice Manager at Center for Pain Evansville
Julie Williams is the Practice Manager at Center for Pain Evansville and Center for Pain Jasper. Prior to joining the Center for Pain Management team in 2023, Julie joined private practice pain management in 2010 and continued her journey until transitioning to APC. She graduated from the University of Southern Indiana in 2010.
She was born and raised in Evansville, IN. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is happily married with 3 children. She loves traveling and adventure.
"I am proud to be part of a distinguished corporation that thrives on providing the best care for our patients. It is easy to always put my best foot forward when surrounded by an organization with so many talented individuals."
Job Titles:
- Corporate Director of Laboratory Services View Profile
Job Titles:
- Physician Liaison View Profile / Julie Williams Center for Pain Evansville and Jasper Practice Manager View Profile
Katie Cortez has joined the APC team as the Physician Liaison supporting the Center for Pain Management clinics. Katie is joining APC with 5+ years of healthcare sales experience. Prior to working at APC, she was a Physician Liaison for MRI services supporting the Indianapolis region.
Katie has a Bachelors of Science degree in Health & Human Sciences from Indiana University-Purdue University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Integrated Pain Solutions Columbus Practice Manager View Profile
Kelly Mullins joined Integrated Pain Solutions in Columbus, OH, an affiliate of American Pain Consortium, in 2022 as the Columbus Practice Manager. Kelly brings 24 years of healthcare management to IPS, previously having worked in Neurology and Orthopedic offices. Kelly has a strong background in supporting offices, managing patient flow, and providing support to his people.
Kelly is an Ohio native and enjoys spending time with his family outside of work.
Kierstin joined Integrated Pain Solutions in Springfield, an affiliate of American Pain Consortium, in the fall of 2021. Kierstin received her Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification in 2021 after completing her Masters of Science in Nursing at the Chamberlain University in Downers Grove, IL. Previously, she worked as a Registered Nurse in Oncology at the James Cancer Hospital Solove Research Institute in Columbus, OH. Kierstin enjoys practicing evidence-based medicine to treat patients with chronic and acute pain, and promoting overall health and well-being.
Affiliations
Integrated Pain Solutions - Springfield
Education
Graduate Studies
Master of Science in Nursing Chamberlain University
Downers Grove, IL
2021
Kyle Smith joined Integrated Pain Solutions in Springfield, OH, an affiliate of American Pain Consortium, in 2020 as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Kyle received his Master of Science in Nursing from Otterbein University in May of 2020 and has since been using his experience and clinical skills to treat pain management patients. Previously, Kyle worked as a Registered Nurse in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit at Riverside Methodist Hospital caring for patients in an intensive care setting specializing in neurological deficits at a comprehensive stroke center. Kyle uses evidence-based medicine to provide the highest quality of care to his patients working through their pain, and enjoys getting to know his patients and their families.
Job Titles:
- Member of the APC Leadership Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Integrated Pain Solutions Dublin Practice Manager View Profile
Melissa Hieneman, has been with APC, parent organization of Integrated Pain Solutions, since 2020. Prior to taking on the practice manager role, she was the Marketing Director for APC Ohio region. Prior to joining APC, Melissa was the Clinical Coordinator for Integrated Pain Solutions since 2017.
She has 14 years of clinical experience, with 10 years being in Interventional Pain Management. She also has experience in Allied Health Education, as she was the Program Director for a Medical Assisting with General X-Ray Machine Operator program from 2012 to 2015. She has been responsible for many positions within the medical office, ultimately making Interventional Pain Management her chosen field.
Melissa received her Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from Grand Canyon University and has been a Registered Medical Assistant accredited by American Medical Technology (AMT) since 2008.
Job Titles:
- CMM Center for Pain Indianapolis Practice Manager View Profile
Job Titles:
- Member of the APC Leadership Team