Interventional Pain Management Center

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Samaritan Medical Center

Samaritan Medical Center's Interventional Pain Management Center has a lot more to offer to the community, especially those whose lives have been controlled by chronic pain … pain so intense that many find it difficult to work, sleep, or maintain a satisfying quality of life.

For the past 12 years, SMC's Pain Management Center (a partnership between Jefferson Anesthesiologist Services and Samaritan Medical Center) has been helping North Country residents manage their pain. Recently, the Center moved to new location and welcomed two new physicians fellowship-trained in interventional pain management, expanding the Center's expert staff, all of whom are committed to the compassionate understanding of living with chronic pain.

The new Interventional Pain Management Center Suite and expanded services will be showcased during an open house on Wednesday, October 19 th from 2 – 4 p.m. The Open House will be held in the new Pain Management Center Suite located on the third floor of the Watertown Medical Office Building, 826 Washington Street (adjacent to Samaritan Medical Center). The event is free and open to the public.

The two new physicians, who are fellowship trained in interventional pain management, have enabled the Center to expand the procedures and treatments available to treat chronic pain. The extensive training of Dr. Bhupinder Bolla and Dr. Ivan Montalvo has resulted in new state-of-the-art pain therapy and procedures being offered at the Center. Doctors Bolla and Montalvo joined the team of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and support staff to assist, diagnose, and treat pain related disorders for many North Country residents. “Not only does new pain management technology help us pinpoint the exact area of our patient's pain, it minimizes their discomfort by doing it right the first time,” explains Dr. Bolla. “We are proud to join such a dedicated group of physicians and staff and pleased to make these expanded services available in the North Country. The technology we have at our fingertips these days is incredible, and our patients benefit tremendously.”

Patients such as Merredith Lehman of Watertown can attest to the benefit of having the services and expertise of the Interventional Pain Management Center available locally. Mrs. Lehman is all too familiar with chronic pain and the effects that it can have on one's lifestyle. Years of fighting the effects of degenerative disc disease and herniated discs were taking their toll. Chronic pain caused by her condition began to take away her active lifestyle, including her everyday hobbies, such as working in her flowerbeds or taking a healthy walk. “I was tired of hurting every minute of every day,” explains Mrs. Lehman. “At work, at home, and wherever we would go, the pain controlled my life. I couldn't even pretend to look or act normal because of the way I was forced to walk due to my constant pain. I was only 56 years old, but I felt like I was 96.”

A referral to Samaritan's Pain Management Center was Mrs. Lehman's last resort before surgery. Three pain management treatments later, she has gone from a 10+ (the highest level of pain on a scale of 1-10) to being pain free with only occasional stiffness and discomfort. “It's given me my life back,” concludes Mrs. Lehman. “I plan on getting back to my old lifestyle, which includes the simple things I used to take for granted.”

The recent expansion of the second and third floors of the Watertown Medical Office Building provided an ideal location for the relocation of the new Pain Management Center and enabled the Center to accommodate six additional patients at one time. Adjacent to SMC's Ambulatory Surgery Center, the Pain Management Center features six patient examination rooms, two treatment rooms, and four recovery bays, along with expanded office space for staff and physicians. Convenient parking in the Watertown Medical Office Building's dedicated parking lot is another added benefit of the new location … and a welcome addition to those crippled by the effects of chronic pain.

For more information about the Interventional Pain Management Center at Samaritan Medical Center please call the Center at (315) 785-4313.