Arizona Pain Monthly July 2011 by Arizona Pain Specialists

ARIZONA PAIN Monthly

Al ter nat i ve Pai n Tre a tm e nts

A WALK TO HEALING How One Patient Turned Injury into Inspiration PAGE 9

STRENGTH TRAINING How to Create Long, Lean Muscles to Reduce Pain and Increase Health PAGE 5

PLUS Meet a Staff Member ➲ p.4

Summer C ooking ➲ p.8

Pain Management Passion ➲ p.12

ARIZONA PAIN Monthly | July 2011

Clinical Editor: Tory McJunkin, M.D. Publisher: Kelli Donley Editor/Writer: Kelli Donley, Jennifer Gitt Photography: Robert Craver Graphic Design: Robert Craver Layout: Robert Craver

CONTENTS 3

Welcome letter

A Walk to Healing

Dr. Paul Lynch and Dr. Tory McJunkin welcome you to the July Issue of Arizona Pain Monthly.

How one patient turned injury into inspiration.

Meet the Staff

Glenn Shupe, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, is put in our employee spotlight.

Information 480.245.6122 Electronic Subscription Information newsletter@arizonapain.com

9787 N 91st Street STE 101, AZ 85258 Volume #16 published on July 1 2011.

The passion for world-class pain management.

How to create long, lean muscles to reduce pain and increase health.

This month, we honor Melissa Hanson who is passionate about her job and makes patients smile.

Strength Training

In the heat of summer, rely on cool and refreshing foods to keep your diet balanced.

Arizona Pain Specialists LLC,

Providing Hope Restoring Lives

EMployee of the Month

July Cooking

is published monthly by

ARIZONA PAIN MONTHLY

ARIZONA PAIN Monthly | July 2011

Passi o n i s a wo rd that d e f i ne s o ur practice. Passion i s w h at le d us i n to medical sc h oo l. A passi o n to help o t h ers. A passi o n to p r act i ce m e di c i ne . A p assion to b e l eade rs i n the community. A n d trust us, after countle s s ye ars o f sc hooling, f ello wshi ps and re sidencies, it t oo k true passi on to remain f oc u s e d o n o ur goals of b ec om i ng the best p rovider s o f pai n re li e f i n Ar izona. We kno w yo u m ust have a passi o n to o ; wha t dr ives you? W h a t m ak e s yo u want to get up a nd g o i n the mor ning? W h a t do yo u dream of b ec om i ng ?

This mo n t h , w e fe a t u re a p atient w h o s e p a s s i o n w a s to f ind re l i e f fro m c h ro n i c p ain, sh o w c a s e h e r re c o v er y, b eco m e a n a c c o m p l i s h e d athlete, a n d t u rn h e r e x p e r ience in t o a c h a n c e t o h e l p other s i n t h e s a m e s h o e s . Patti Kobl e w s k i i s a re m a rk ab le wom a n . S h e h a s comp let e d t h e Ho n o l u l u m a rathon, s e rv e s a s a Pa t i e n t A mb assa d o r fo r A r iz on a Pa in S pe cia lis t s , a n d v o l u n t e e rs with ou r p a t i e n t s u p p o rt group s. Ad d i t i o n a l l y, yo u c a n read more a bo u t h e r w o rk to star t a w a l k i n g g ro u p f or Arizon a Pa in Spec ia l is t s p atients o n p a g e 9 .

Ou r h a t s a re o ff t o Pa t t i. N o t h i n g re fu e l s o u r e ff or t s l i k e h a v i n g a p a t i e n t res pon d s o fa v o ra bl y t o o u r c a re. We a re t h ri l l e d t o h a v e re ig n i t e d Pa t t i ’s p a s s i o n i n g ood health! Yo u t o o c a n w o rk p a s t p a i n a n d be c o m e s t ro n g er. C h i ro p ra c t o r D r. C h a n c e Moore d e t a i l s t h e h e a l t h be n ef it s o f be i n g p a s s i o n a t e a b ou t s t re n g t h t ra i n i n g o n pa g e 6. T h i s m o n t h , w e h o p e y ou a re a bl e t o s p e n d t i m e w i t h t h os e yo u a re p a s s i o n a t e a b ou t !

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Wishing you a lovely July,

Romans 12:2 D r. Pa u l Lyn c h a n d D r. To ry McJu n kin

ARIZONA PAIN Monthly | July 2011

M eet the Staff Gle n n Shupe began wor king f o r Ari zo na Pai n Sp ecialists t wo ye ars ag o a s a Cer tif ied Re gi ste re d N urs e Anesthetist – o r C RN A. I f you have had a p ro c e dure at th e Scottsdale off i ce o f APS, chances are y o u k no w G le nn. Known f or h i s warm , k i nd demeanor, Gle n n k i ndly g reets each p at ie nt i n the p roced u re ro o m . He makes sure p at ie nts are treated with care and adm i n istered a p pro pri ate anesthesia. “ I g raduate d with a maste rs de g re e f rom Mount M a r ty C o lle g e of Nur se

w h o k e e p s m e v e ry bu s y a n d m a k e s m e l a u g h .” T h e C RN A i s a l s o k n o w n in t h e o ffi c e fo r h i s fi e rc e l o v e of S o o n e r fo o t ba l l .

Anesthe s i a ,” h e s a ys . “ I wor ked a t M a y o C l i n i c o n t h e hear t tr a n s p l a n t t e a m fo r fi v e year s, a n d t h e n t h e B a yw o o d OB/GYN d e p a rt m e n t fo r t h re e year s p r i o r t o c o m i n g t o APS .”

“ I t ry t o g o t o 2 - 3 g a m es a y e a r. B o o m e r s o o n e r! ” h e s a y s , l a u g h i n g . “I ’m a l s o a B o s t o n Re d S o x fa n a n d I l ov e t o s e e t h e Ya n k e e s l o s e. ”

Glenn sa y s o n e o f t h e m a n y p er ks of w o rk i n g fo r t h e p a i n p r actice i s s c h e d u l i n g . Wi t h a young so n , h i s w e e k e n d t i m e is p reciou s .

He s a y s i f t h e re i s o n e t h in g h e w i s h e d e v e ryo n e kn ew a bo u t h i m , i t w o u l d b e t h a t h e ’s h o rri bl e w i t h n a m es a n d fe e l s ba d a bo u t i t .

“I like w o rk i n g a t APS fo r t h e doctor s, s t a ff a n d t h e h o u rs ,” he says. “Wi t h o u t w o rk i n g on week e n d s , I h a v e t i m e f or f ami l y, t e n n i s a n d g o l f. I have a 3 1 / 2 y e a r o l d s o n

T h a n k s Gl e n n fo r y o u r g rea t w o rk l e a d i n g C RN As a t A P S a n d fo r y o u r fa n t a s t i c pa t ien t c a re !

Stength Training: A Primer How to Crea te Long , Le an M u scle s to Re d u c e Pa i n a n d I n c re ase He alth B y: D r. C ha nce Moore , DC – APS D e pa rt m ent o f Ch irop ractic Care Exercise is critical to good health, living in a modern industrialized world. Although humans are blessed with large intelligent brains, our bodies were designed for movement and work. When is the last time you farmed, hunted, or had to do anything other than chew to get the calories you need to sustain life? The trappings of a modern lifestyle are hard to see when we are living in it. The older you get, the faster your muscles atrophy. Muscle mass declines with age starting in the 40s; this is called sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss. The unused muscles of elderly people do not respond as well to sudden or intense bouts of exercise. The key to avoiding muscle atrophy is to challenge

your muscles with intense exercise on a regular basis throughout your life. Why should you try to increase your strength? The benefits of strength training – or progressive resistance training – have shown to help prevent muscle atrophy. There are many other benefits to being in great shape; the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn. Additionally, a strong, lean body is easier on your organs and joints – reducing chronic pain. How does the body increase in strength? The body changes depending what you do with it. This concept has been coined the SAID principle -- Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demand. The physiological effects of

progressive resistance training (PRE) are increased muscle strength, size and density. To achieve these specific effects in a specific area of the body, that area must be loaded by performing exercises. For example, if you want stronger legs, you have to perform leg exercises that impose a demand on the targeted muscle – like squats or lunges. During progressive resistive exercise, the loaded muscles start to tear. The slight tearing of the muscle prompts the body’s natural recovery and repairs

Other benefits from strength training include:

itself to a higher level of function and size. Begin a push-up and sit-up routine and challenge yourself to do a few more each week. Your stomach and arm muscles will respond with increased strength. Where to start? The key is to take action. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel. Starting a program 20 minutes twice a week will yield significant results regardless of your current strength level. However, it is important

• Increased bone density

• S elf-confidence

• Improved cardiovascular fitness

• D ecreased stress

• Improved mental health

• D ecreased pain levels

to remember your safety first. If you have previous injury to an area or have other health related issues, consult a physician before starting any strengthening program. Using the SAID principle, you need to perform the exercise at an intensity that takes you to a point of volitional fatigue. Volitional fatigue is the point in the set where you can’t complete

one more repetition of the given exercise. The amount of resistance should allow you to complete more than 6 but less than 20 repetitions.There is little scientific evidence that performing more that one set of each exercise speeds up your strength gains. After four to six months of strength training, multiple sets can help progress any plateaus you have reached.

ARIZONA PAIN Monthly | July 2011

J ULY COO K I N G

I n t h e h e a t o f t h e s u m m e r, re l y on cool a n d re fre s h i n g fo o d s t o k e e p y ou r d iet ba l a n c e d . C o o k i n g o u t s i d e o n th e BBQ c a n be a g re a t w a y t o s p e n d a b it of t i m e i n fre s h a i r, a n d k e e p y o u r h om e c o o l e r w i t h o u t a h o t o v e n . An d w h o d o e s n ’t l o v e a fru i t s a l a d w h e n t h e w e a t h e r i s s c o rc h i n g ?

Citrus fruit salad Ingredients: • 1 pink grapefruit, peeled • 2 large tangerines • 3 navel oranges • 2 tablespoons honey • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon • Greek yogurt • Minced crystallized ginger, to taste

Directions: Cut citrus sections into thirds, after peeling fruit. Place grapefruit, tangerines and juice in a large bowl. Add honey and cinnamon. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Mix yogurt and ginger in a different bowl then add fruit. (Add brown sugar, or another sweetener if you don’t care for the tart taste of Greek yogurt!)

Grilled Summer salmon • • • •

Ingredients: • 1 tablespoon olive oil plus additional for brushing • 3/4 cup sliced shallots • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced • 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt plus additional for seasoning • 1/4 teaspoon thyme

1 cup fresh blueberries 1/4 cup water 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 4 7-ounce salmon steaks or fillets with skin (each about 3/4 inch

Directions: Two hours before serving: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté until softened. Add garlic, coarse salt and, thyme. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add blueberries, 1/4 cup water, and vinegar. Stir to blend. Mash berries with potato masher or back of fork and cook until sauce thickens, stirring often, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with freshly

ground black pepper. Remove from heat. Let stand at room temperature for up to 2 hours. Reheat before using. Brush grill rack with oil. Prepare barbecue on a medium-high heat. Brush salmon on both sides with oil; sprinkle with coarse salt, thyme and black pepper. Grill salmon until just opaque in center, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plates. Drizzle sauce over salmon. Serve immediately.

ARIZONA PAIN Monthly | July 2011

A Walk to H ealing

How O ne Pa t i en t Tu r ne d I nj u r y i nto I ns p i ra t i o n B y Ke l l i M . D on le y Ye s , Patti Ko ble wski f inish at t h e Ho no lulu M ar athon is re mark able . As a p atient of A r i z o na Pai n Spe cialists, she re co v e re d fro m s p ine sur ger y to f i n i s h , o f all thi n gs, a r ace of e n d u r anc e . T hi s is nothing shor t o f m i rac ulo us. Yet this isn’t just ano t h e r sto ry o f an A PS p atient who ’s g o ne o n to incredib le athle t i c ac c o m pli shment. Pat t i Ko ble wsk i i s notab le not j ust fo r he r stam ina, b ut her spi r i t . Fo ur ye ars ago, cleaning ho use – as she ’d done countle s s ti m e s be fo re – Patti noticed he r b ac k sti ffe n a f ter a simp le af t e r no o n o f vac uuming. Two d ay s late r, the re was tingling and , she had numb ness in her t oe . Afte r c o untless visits to he r ge ne ral prac titioner with st eadi ly i nc re asi n g p ain, Patti k n ew she ne e de d sp ecif ied care.

The for mer competitive and collegiate swimmer was grounded by pain. As someone who regularly found comfort and joy in exercise, being held back by persistent pain was life altering.

“ I w a s re fe rre d to Ar izona Pai n Spe c i ali sts, ” she says. “ A n MR I sho we d a 1 4 mm e x t r usi o n fro m my L4 -L5 disc; e s s enti ally I had a small rock pre s s i ng o n m y s p inal cor d.” A f t e r a m i c ro di scectomy at a n e arby ho sp ital, Patti re t ur n e d to APS for treatment f or lo ng -te rm c are. “ I h a ve pe rm ane n t ner ve d am ag e do wn m y r ight side, f rom m y lo w bac k to the toe; so m e pe rm ane nt numb ness and t i ng li ng whi ch can b e anno yi ng , ” she says. “I have d e ge n e rati v e di sc disease wi t h 3 le v e ls affected; all b u l gi ng ; L 3-L 4 i s p ar tially collapse d, L4-L 5 i s collap sed and L5-S1 i s o n i ts way. I also h av e o c c i pi tal neurop at h y, whi c h c re ates const a n t po undi ng i n the b ack o f m y he ad and constant he a d a c he s. ”

which al l o w s m e t o d o ba s i c ex ercise - - a n d h a s a l l o w e d me to en j o y l i fe a g a i n .” The f or m e r c o m p e t i t i v e and coll e g i a t e s w i m m e r was gro u n d e d by p a i n . A s someone w h o re g u l a rl y fo u n d comf or t a n d j o y i n e x e rc i s e , b eing hel d ba c k by p e rs i s t e n t p ain wa s l i fe a l t e ri n g .

Pat t i m anag e s her chronic pai n w i th vi si ts to a handf ul o f pr a c ti ti o ne rs a t AP S.

Thankf u l l y, w i t h o n - g o i n g c a re and atte n t i o n t o h e r c o n d i tion, Pa t t i w a s a bl e t o re t u rn to activi t y. “I k e e p fi n d i n g new thin g s I c a n d o ! ” s h e says, la u g h i n g .

“ I h a ve m e di al branch b locks and RFAs e ac h year f or my ne ck and bac k to help manage m y pai n; I also see chirop r act or D r. C hanc e Moore monthly f or re g ular de c o mp ression; I hav e a TEN S uni t and manual c er v i cal trac ti o n unit I can use as ne e de d at home too. T h ese he lp m anage my p ain,

A H ercul e a n a c t i v i t y Pa t t i never p re v i o u s l y c o n s i d e re d was comp l e t i n g a m a ra t h o n . It took j u s t t h e m e n t i o n fro m a f r iend fo r Pa t t i t o s i g n u p . She knew w i t h c o n t i n u e d c a re and p ers i s t e n c e s h e c o u l d b e amon g t h e t h ro n g s t h ro w ing her h a n d s u p i n v i c t o ry, crossing t h e fi n i s h l i n e a ft e r

2 6 .2 m i l e s i n Ho n o l u l u . “ Wh e n a fri e n d a s k e d l a s t y e a r, w e l a u g h e d . Wh en a m I e v e r g o i n g t o g e t a ch a n ce t o d o s o m e t h i n g l i k e t h is a g a i n ? ,” s h e s a ys . “ I vis it ed m y d o c t o rs a n d g o t p e r m is s i o n t o be g i n t ra i n i n g , w it h t h e i r s u p p o rt . I h a d mon t h l y v i s i t s t o m a k e s u re I w a s n ’t c re a t i n g a n y a d d i t i o n a l prob l e m s fo r m y ba c k .” Finish, she did – in the p ro c e s s ra i s i n g $ 3 ,2 0 0 f or t h e AI D S Pro j e c t o f L o s An g el es .

ARIZONA PAIN Monthly | July 2011

Pat t i c ro sse d the mar athon f i n i s h li ne i n D e cemb er, with A P S s uppo rti ng her r ace and c h ee r i ng fo r he r success. In ad m i rati o n o f he r p er sistence, A P S s taff ask e d i f Patti would c onsi de r be c o m i ng a p atient am b a ssado r. Wo uld she b e wi lli ng to e nc o ur age p atients i n s i mi lar si tuati ons? Yes, and t h en so m e . “ I h a ve a g raduate degree i n cli ni c al psyc hology,” she say s . I vo lunte e r with A PS b ehav i o ral he alth ther ap ist, L a r r y Lync h, to facilitate the pai n s uppo rt g ro up . I help k ee p e ve ryo ne c onnected via so c i a l m e di a, c o or dinate and plan our so c i al activities, and pe r haps m o st i m p or tantly, I h a v e o nli ne ac cess dur ing o ur m e e ti ng s so we can do i m m e di ate re se arch if necessar y. I ’ m also ab le to b r ing a u n i q ue pe rspe ctive to the g ro up as bo th a p er son in pai n a nd so m e o n e who is ab le t o h elp c o unse l other s.” A PS st a ff and Patti are wor king

out the d e t a i l s fo r t h o s e intereste d t o p a rt i c i p a t e i n a n ex ercise s u p p o rt g ro u p t o o . “My mo t i v a t i o n fo r t h e walking c l u b w a s p ri m a ri l y to get pe o p l e i n p a i n m o v i n g when th e y t h i n k t h e re i s nothing t h e y c a n d o , l i k e I did b ef ore m y m a ra t h o n , a n d to increa s e a w a re n e s s i n t h e commun i t y a bo u t p a i n m a n agement . I t ’s a re s p o n s i bi l ity to he l p o t h e rs w i t h t h e i r p ain and l e t t h e m k n o w t h a t they are n o t a l o n e ; t h e re a re op tions a v a i l a bl e fo r t h e m ! ” Patti’s en t h u s i a s m i s c o n t a gious. S h e i s s i n c e re l y e x c i t e d to encou ra g e o t h e rs . “I’m p as s i o n a t e a bo u t re a c h ing thos e i n p a i n , a n d d o i n g what I c a n t o h e l p t h e m fi n d ways to s u c c e s s fu l l y m a n a g e their p a i n . I w a n t p e o p l e to know t h a t t h e y a re n o t doomed t o a l i fe o f p a i n , dep ress i o n a n d p i l l s . Yo u have op t i o n s a n d t h e re i s

s u p p o rt a v a i l a bl e .” A r izon a Pa i n S p e c i a l i s t s i s a t rem en d o u s l y s u p p o rt i v e t e a m of d o c t o rs w h o p ro v i d e c om preh e n s i v e c a re t o t h e i r p a t ien t s , u l t i m a t e l y e n a bl i n g t h em t o i m p ro v e t h e i r q u a l i t y of l if e t h ro u g h s u c c e s s fu l p a in m a n agement. “ T h o s e i n t e re s t e d i n t h e s u p p o rt g ro u p , o r t h e w a l kin g c l u b, c a n re a c h Pa t t i a t : p k o bl e w s k i @ c o x .n e t

“ W ith o n-g o ing c are a nd a tte ntion to he r c o nditio n, Pa tti was a bl e to re tur n to a c tiv ity ”

Pa s s i o n . “I’m passionat e about re ac h i n g t h o s e i n pa i n , a n d d o i n g wh at I c a n t o he l p them f in d way s t o succe ssfully man a ge t h ei r pa i n . I wa n t peo ple t o k n o w t h at t he y a re n ot doom e d t o a life of pain, depres s i o n a n d pi lls . Yo u h a v e o pt i o n s a n d t he re i s sup p ort a va ilable .”

ARIZONA PAIN Monthly | July 2011

Passion

What f uels you? Arizona Pain S pecialists Changes lives by delivering world-class pain management care that they would want for their own mom or dad

Inspired by a cl o s e fa m i ly m e m b e r ’s p e rs o na l bat tl e with severe deb i l i ta t i n g pa i n , o u r fo u nd i n g phy sic ians are i dea l i s t i c a b o u t p ra cti ci n g pa i n m e d i cin e “ the right way.”

“Ari zon a Pain S pe c i ali s t s n ow ser ve s al l of th e Phoe ni x val l e y w ith it ’s c ompre h e n s ive tea m approch”

When Dr. To ry M c J u n k i n and Dr. Pa u l Ly n c h fo u n d e d Ar izona Pa i n S p e c i a l i s t s , it was th e re a l i z a t i o n o f a dream d e c a d e s i n t h e making. T h e t h ri v i n g m e d i c a l p r actice , w i t h m o re t h a n 1 6 0 emp loyee s a n d h e l p i n g m o re than 7 ,00 0 p a t i e n t s m o n t h l y, has b los s o m e d fro m t h e s e e d of a coll e g e fri e n d s h i p . Their f re s h m a n y e a r o f college, t h e p re - m e d s t u dents ha d m a n y o f t h e s a m e classes. Wh i l e i n t e n s e c o m p etition i s t h e l a n d s c a p e i n such an e n v i ro n m e n t , Pa u l and Tor y d e c i d e d c o o p e ra tion was a be t t e r p l a n . T h e y studied t o g e t h e r d u ri n g t h e week an d p ra y e d t o g e t h e r o n the week e n d s . T h e i r p l a n a n d mutual p a s s i o n fo r m e d i c i n e wor ked.

Fo u r ye a rs l a t e r, t h e y w ere off t o t h e U n i v e rs i t y o f Okl a h om a C o l l e g e o f M e d i c i n e . L if e t ook a n u n e x p e c t e d t u rn , w h en Pa u l ’s m o t h e r- i n - l a w w a s d i a g n o s e d w i t h a d v a n ced p a n c re a t i c c a n c e r. He s pen t w e e k s t ryi n g t o fi n d rel ief fo r h e r d e bi l i t a t i n g p a in , a n d d u ri n g t h e p ro c e s s l e a r n ed a bo u t i n t e rv e n t i o n a l pa in p ro c e d u re s . B e fo re m e d ica l s c h o o l g ra d u a t i o n , h e rea l i z e d t h a t t h i s w a s h i s ca l l in g i n l i fe a n d i m m e d i a t e l y d rov e t o To ry ’s h o u s e . To ry h ea r d t h e e x c i t e m e n t i n h i s f r ien d ’s voice. “I k n o w w h a t I ’m g o i n g t o d o w i t h m y l i fe ! ” Pa u l s a id . To ry l i s t e n e d w i t h g row in g i n t e re s t a n d fi rm l y s a i d , “ M e t o o .”

Paul l aug he d i n d isb elief say i n g “Se ri o usly, I’m going t o b e c o m e an anesthesiologist and t he n study p ain managem e n t . T hi s i s what I’m sup po se d to do , I j ust know it.” Tor y s te ppe d c lo ser and with a t o ne that was unmistakab ly se r i o us sai d “I k n ow, and this i s t he spe c i alty I was made t o p r a c ti c e to o , I just didn’t k n ow i t e xi ste d. I’m also

going to p u rs u e t h i s c a re e r, whatever i t t a k e s ! ” That’s ex a c t l y w h a t t h e y did. They o bt a i n e d p o s i tions in t o p - t i e r p ro g ra m s – Univer sit y o f I o w a a n d N e w Yor k Un i v e rs i t y, a n d t h e n each secu re d a p o s i t i o n a t t h e most cov e t e d i n t e rv e n t i o n a l p ain p rog ra m . Ye a rs l a t e r, with p r a ye r a n d t h e i r p a s s i o n

t o h e l p o t h e rs s u ffe ri n g f rom p a i n a t t h e fo re fro n t of t h eir m o t i v a t i o n , t h e p a i r c rea t ed Ari z o n a Pa i n S p e c i a l i st s . To d a y, t h e p ra c t i c e i n c l u d es o ffi c e s i n C h a n d l e r, Gl en d a l e and Scottsdale with a handful o f s i m i l a rl y m i n d e d , p a s s ion a t e p h ys i c i a n s , c h i ro p r a ct or s , t h e ra p i s t s , a n d h e a l t h ca re p ro v i d e rs .

ARIZONA PAIN Monthly | July 2011

Find relief Finding relief can be difficult, but always remember it takes diligence, patience, and persistence to overcome an obstacle or accomplish a goal! We challenge you to be active and passionate about your care.

ARIZONA PAIN Monthly | July 2011

Employee O f the M onth Mellisa H. We, at Arizona Pain Specialists, are lucky to have a diverse, dedicated staff. This month, we honor Melissa Hanson – who has worked for our company just seven months. You may recognize Melissa from our front desk at the Chandler location, where she helps patients daily to check in for their appointments. “My favorite part of my job is working with our staff,” she says. “I’ve made some friendships that will last a lifetime.” Melissa is a Scottsdale native. She intends on returning to school in the fall to become a medical assistant and persue a career as a surgical technologist. “My passion is to bring a smile to our patients’ faces,” she says. “If I’ve made you laugh, then I’ve done my job.

“My passion is to bring a smile to our patients’ faces, If I’ve made you laugh, then I’ve done my job.”

Director of Clinical Operations, Shannon Marsh says Arizona Pain is stronger as an organization because of Melissa’s attitude and work ethic. “She has been amazing from when she was hired,” says Shannon. “She caught on quickly, is always willing to go above and beyond, and has done a tremendous job covering for other staff members in a pinch. She is a great support; I’ve even heard from other managers what a great job she does, and how helpful she is.”

When Melissa isn’t at Arizona Pain Specialists, she’s spending time with her sweet dog Stella. “She’s a pit bull/Basenji mix that I rescued,” Melissa says. Bravo Melissa! Thank you for your hard work!