Providers/Staff
We have a comprehensive pain program that will improve the quality of life for you, your families and friends whose lives are diminished by the devastating effects of chronic and acute pain
Dr. Samer Narouze, Chairman, Center for Pain Medicine at Western Reserve Hospital
Samer Narouze, MD, PHD, MMM
Samer Narouze, MD, PhD, MMM, is the chairman of the Center for Pain Medicine at Western Reserve Hospital. He has been named one of America's ’Top Pain Medicine Physicians by Consumers' Research Council of America and has been featured in international and national pain journals, The Akron Beacon Journal, as well as Oprah Radio. He has served as expert consultant and medical reviewer for top pain medicine journals. He has served as fellowship director at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic Foundation and was named "master educator". He holds board certifications in pain medicine, interventional pain management, neurology headache medicine and anesthesiology. He was also awarded the "innovator award" from Cleveland Clinic for his innovations in the use of minimally-invasive approaches for the treatment of chronic pain.
He specializes in treating various types of pain and chronic headaches that don't respond to pain medicines - a practice that has drawn patients from across the country. He has also pioneered the use of ultrasound-guided nerve blocks in pain management, which allow for a safer injection without radiation. Dr. Narouze's research is widely published, and he serves as a visiting professor both nationally and abroad.
To view Dr. Narouze's recent publications as featured in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, please visit http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=narouze.
Timothy Sable, MD
Tim Sable, MD, is board-certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine. He has served as chief pain medicine fellow (2009-2010) at Cleveland Clinic, where he also held his anesthesiology residency (2006-2009) after completing a medicine internship at Akron City Hospital (2005-2006). He earned his doctorate of medicine from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEUCOM) in 2005 and is a graduate of The University of Akron's BSMD program.
Dr. Sable focuses on interventional and multi-disciplinary pain management, including spinal cord stimulation, for a variety of conditions including chronic back and neck pain secondary to spinal stenosis, herniated discs, facet syndrome, radiculopathies, sciatica and failed back surgery syndrome. He is also trained in the management of various other painful conditions including abdominal pain, joint pain, musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, chronic post-surgical pain and complex regional pain syndrome or RSD.
Dmitri Souza, MD, PHD
Dr. Dmitri Souza earned his medical degree in 1987 and Doctor of Science degree in 2000. He graduated from the anesthesiology residency program at Yale University School of Medicine in Connecticut; from the internal medicine residency at Good Samaritan Hospital of Maryland, which is affiliated with Johns Hopkins University; and from the pain medicine program at Cleveland Clinic.
He is a Clinical Professor at Ohio University. He serves as a Chair, Member-at-Large and a Board Member at national physician associations, and a faculty at national physician symposia where he teaches pain medicine. He is board-certified in pain medicine, anesthesiology, internal medicine, and headache medicine.
He has authored more than a hundred chapters, articles, research presentations and other publications, including books “Chronic Pain Management for the Hospitalized Patient” published by Oxford University Press, and “Bedside Pain Management Interventions”, which is currently being published by Springer Science Publishing.
His clinical expertise that includes, but is not limited to, the advanced management of widespread pain, intractable pain, headaches, neck and lower back pain, shoulder, hip, knee and other joint pain, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, cancer pain, and persistent pain in the elderly.
Jeremy Coffey, DC, MS
Jeremy Coffey, D.C. M.S. earned his doctor of chiropractic and master's degree in chiropractic sports science at Life University in Marietta, Ga., after earning his bachelor's degree in biology at Baldwin Wallace College. He has received advanced training and certification in Active Release Technique, a soft-tissue motion treatment that addresses problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Before joining Western Reserve Hospital, Dr. Coffey provided care for athletes in an NCAA Division I training facility and a professional arena football team.
Gary J. Sipps, PHD
Gary J. Sipps, Ph.D., earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University in 1976 and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology at The University of Maryland in 1981. He completed a traineeship at the Washington DC VA Medical Center, psychology service with rotations in general medical/surgery and Inpatient psychiatry in 1979. He completed the pre-doctoral internship on the staff of student counseling services at Iowa State University in 1981. He attained a faculty position in the psychology department at The University of Akron in 1981. He began a private psychotherapy practice in 1983 and left the UA to engage in private practice full-time in 1994. In October 2006, he joined the staff of the Falls Pain Management Center and continues now with the Center for Pain Medicine. He particularly values the multi-disciplinary team approach that the center embraces. He provides psychological consultation and evaluation, as well as pain management psychotherapy. Services include psychological counseling, hypnosis/ imagery, health and behavior assessments/interventions and psychological assessment.
Leon Howard II, PHD, PCC-S, MBA
Leon Howard II, PhD, PCC-S, MBA, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Youngstown State University in 1994, a master’s degree in counseling from Youngstown State University in 1997 and a Ph.D. in counseling education and supervision from The University of Akron in 2003. He completed a traineeship at The University of Akron Clinic for Individual and Family Counseling. He is a licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Currently, and for the past 10 years, he has worked as an adjunct professor in the counseling department at The University of Akron teaching a variety of courses, particularly the practicum course. In September 2007, he joined the staff of the Falls Pain Management Center and continues now with the Center for Pain Medicine. He particularly values the comprehensive approach to pain medicine the Center embraces. At the Center, he provides and specializes in psychological consultation, crisis intervention, health and behavior assessments, as well as pain management psychotherapy. Services include psychological counseling, behavioral/cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and person-centered therapy. His areas of interest include the assessment and treatment of chronic pain, depression, mood disorders, and adjustment disorders.
Daniel Adams, MSHS, PA-C
Daniel Adams received his Physician Assistant Certificate from Cuyahoga Community College as well as his Master of Science in Health Science from Cleveland State University. He practices inpatient pain medicine at WRH, serves as a preceptor for medical students and residents during their rotations in pain medicine, and is Associate Research Coordinator. Mr. Adams has authored original research publications, presented research findings at national conferences, and been awarded grants for the study of behavioral interventions for postoperative pain.
Linda Armstrong, BSRT-R, CV, MPAS, PA-C
Linda Armstrong, PA-C, completed her physician's assistant program at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio, and earned her master's degree in physician assistant studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Prior to becoming a physician's assistant, Linda spent many years in the medical field as a radiologic technologist. Since becoming a physician's assistant, she has served in a number of capacities at both the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Western Reserve Hospital. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Ohio Association of Physician Assistants and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Bethany Pontius, NP-C
Bethany Pontius, NP-C earned her Master of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Akron. She has years of experience with the adult population at both Akron General in medical surgical, cardiac telemetry and community nursing care as well as ICU experience at Akron City Hospital. She is currently a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as well as the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management.
Morgan Mingo, MSN, RN, AANP
Morgan Mingo, MSN, RN, AANP, earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Akron after she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mercy College of Ohio. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.