| |
Staff |
|
|
| |
| |
Andrew J. Will, M.D. |
| |
|
Andrew J. Will, M.D., grew up in Bemidji,
Minnesota. He is a third generation medical physician,
following in the steps of his father, Theodore J. Will,
a surgeon, and his grandfather, Theodore H. Will, a
family practice physician.
Dr. Will is a graduate of St. John’s University, Collegeville,
MN and the University of Minnesota Medical School. He
completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee where
he was chief resident. He has been in medical practice
since 1998.
Dr. Will is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pain
Medicine. He is board certified in Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation and in the subspecialty of Electrodiagnostic
Medicine. He has been a Contributing Editor for Rehab
in Review, and is current president of the Minnesota
Physiatric Society, the state organization for Minnesota
physiatrists. |
|
| |
|
Dr.
Will is a third generation physician. His grandfather,
Dr. T.H. Will, was a family practice physician
in Ohio and his desk now sits in the TCPC reception
area. |
|
Dr. Will attends numerous continuing
education courses throughout the year to stay
at the forefront of his specialty and to provide
the most advanced care for his patients. Recently
he put his medical services to work in Central
America. In 2007, he accompanied his father on
a volunteer medical mission with Rotarians to
Santa Barbara, Honduras.
Dr. Will lives in Edina with his wife, Staci, and
their two children. They both enjoy being active
in their children’s school and spending time with
their large extended family. |
Dr.
Will doing physical exams on residents
of a mountain village near Santa Barbara,
Honduras. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
Cover Story M.D. News |
| |
 |
M. D. NEWS
Twin Cities Pain Clinic
Specializing in Nonsurgical treatment of Spinal and musculoskeletal Pain.
Read now
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
What is a Physiatrist? |
| |
Dr. Will is a board certified specialist in
physical medicine and rehabilitation. A physician in this
specialty is also know as a physiatrist (pronounced fizz-EYE-uh-trist).
The specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation began
in 1947, but is often unknown to patients because it is a relatively
small specialty representing only about 1% of medical doctors.
In addition, physiatrists often sub specialize in particular
areas. Dr. Will’s practice focuses on the spine and other painful
musculoskeletal problems. |
| |
|
| |
| |
Psychologist |
| |
Peg Maude-Griffin, Ph.D. |
| |
Mention the word "pain," and Peg Maude-Griffin is all ears. "Treating pain starts to alarm people who aren't pain specialists. Everyone has this fear of causing an addiction. The issue is that they don't understand how complex an addiction really is," said Peg Maude-Griffin, Ph.D., "or that by under-treating someone in pain they are actually setting them up for additional psychological suffering."
Maude-Griffin is a Midwestern gal at heart. She grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota and came to Minnesota to attend St. Olaf College. Graduate school immediately followed at Purdue University, in West LaFayette, Indiana, where she focused her research on substance abuse.
Maude-Griffin has focused her professional life on understanding the complexity of addictions and other emotional disorders beginning with her internship at San Francisco General Hospital. She later moved on to work as a clinical psychologist at San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and taught psychology as an assistant professor at the University of Southern California-San Francisco Medical School. "These were great learning experiences," said Maude-Griffin. "I taught seminars on substance abuse treatment, supervised therapists, and worked on a clinical trial for crack abusers." The difficult issues clearly do not intimidate Maude-Griffin, who has developed a pain philosophy over her many years of experience.
"I believe that chronic pain is a biological, psychological and social problem. We need to look at the patient's pain holistically and treat all three areas. When providers ask patients to consult with a psychologist they may feel they're being told 'it's all in their head'. It's not. Pain has a medical or organic cause, but the longer the pain endures, the more likely it is to negatively impact patients' sense of well-being and their relationships with others. Talking with a psychologist, telling this person what is really happening in their life without censorship or worry can be very cathartic," said Maude-Griffin. |
|
|
|
|
| |
Physical Therapists |
| |
Nikki Beck, PT |
| |
Nikki Beck, P.T., graduated from the University of Southern California with a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy and Kinesiology in 2001. Her work in pain management started when she moved to Chicago in 2006. She found that patients with chronic spine pathologies were responding very well to an alternative approach to traditional physical therapy treatment. That was the beginning of her post graduate work in mechanical spine and extremity disorders, becoming certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT) by the McKenzie Institute.
“My passion for physical therapy really exploded when I started my post graduate work,” said Nikki. “I enjoy empowering patients with education and self management techniques so they feel in control of their symptoms and stop the fear of movement.”
Nikki is pursuing her diplomatic status in MDT which requires over a year in course work and clinical training with the McKenzie Institute via the University of Dundee, Scotland.
Nikki enjoys returning to the west coast to visit family and friends, and spend time on the beach. She is an avid swimmer and practices with a U.S. Master’s swim team, spending her free time in the pool or lakes. |
| |
|
| |
| |
Leslee Harper, PT |
| |
Leslee Harper, P.T., specializes in manual
therapy including Muscle Energy, Trigger Point Release, Myofascial
Release, Active Release Technique (ART) along with core strengthening
exercises.
Harper earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology
from the University of Minnesota and her Master’s in Physical
Therapy from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN.
Her work in pain management and rehabilitation has been especially
gratifying. “I believe the patients I see want to get better,”
said Leslee. “And they work hard to get rid of those nagging
pains. The best part is seeing my patients decrease their
pain levels and return to living healthier, more active lifestyles.”
Leslee unwinds at her cabin near Brainerd with family and friends,
enjoys running, boating and attending outdoor concerts. |
| |
|
| |
| |
Maureen Henderson, PT |
| |
Maureen Henderson, P.T., graduated from the
University of Colorado with a degree in physical therapy in
1977. In December 2007, she became one of 23 physical therapists
in the nation to earn Postural Restoration Certification which
required over three years of post graduate course work and
clinical training.
“In my thirty plus years of clinical practice, I’ve felt
passionate about post graduate education as a way to improve
my skills and patient outcomes,” said Maureen. In addition
to Postural Restoration Certification, Henderson has advanced
levels of training in Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy,
St. John’s Neuromuscular Therapy, Muscle Energy and the Neurodevelopmental
Treatment of adults.
Maureen has been a guest lecturer at the programs in physical
therapy at the University of Minnesota, the College of St.
Scholastica, and the College of St. Catherine and to groups
of physicians.
Maureen and her husband have three children, a horse and two
dogs. They enjoy skiing, canoeing, hiking, bicycling, swimming,
horses, gardening and reading. |
| |
|
| |
| |
Nurse Practitioners |
| |
What is a Nurse Practitioner? |
| |
NP’s are advanced practice nurses who provide
high-quality healthcare services similar to those of a doctor.
NPs diagnose and treat a wide-range of health problems. They
have a unique approach and stress both care and cure, health
promotion and patient education.
NPs have graduate, advanced education and clinical training
beyond their registered nurse preparation. Most have master’s
degrees and many have doctorates. Most NPs are nationally
certified in their specialty area and are recognized as expert
healthcare providers.
NPs have been providing care for more than 43 years. The specialty
was started in Colorado in 1965 and has spread across the U.S.
As of 2007, there are 120,000 practicing NP’s. |
| |
|
| |
| |
Nancy Cleveland, NP |
| |
Nancy became a Registered Nurse after graduating from Tarrant County College in
Fort Worth, Texas. She obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Nursing
from the University of Texas at Arlington. Nancy is Family Practice board
certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She had worked as a
family practice nurse practitioner for eight years while living in Texas.
Nancy was drawn to working in pain management after seeing how the different
chronic pain relief strategies have helped people return to the activities of
daily living. Helping people find a reason to smile again reinforces the joy
she finds in her career.
Nancy has returned to Minnesota after living in Texas for 26 years. The "call"
from family, the Minnesota lakes and fishing had to be answered. She has one son
and a dog. Her free time is spent enjoying activities with her numerous Minnesota
and western Wisconsin relatives.
|
| |
|
| |
| |
Cara Heckmann, NP |
| |
Cara Heckmann, NP brings both her hospital nursing experience and an education in complementary and alternative medicine to Twin Cities Pain Clinic. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mankato State University, Cara worked at Hennepin County Medical Center in the surgical, trauma and neurology departments and at Children's Hospital and Clinics in Minneapolis in cardiac care. "These patients were post-surgical and post-trauma and obviously in a lot of acute pain. I learned the basics of how to get their pain under control so as not to interfere with the healing process," said Cara. She said it also tapped her interest in caring for chronic pain patients.
Cara earned her Master's in Science from the University of Minnesota where she also earned a minor in complementary and alternative medicine.
"I feel fortunate to have found a clinic that allows me to follow my patients over an extended period and see them improve," said Cara.
She burns off any extra energy playing on a volleyball league during the winter and reading. Come summer, Cara enjoys boating, sailing, waterskiing and any other recreation that brings her out on the water.
|
| |
|
| |
Jenna Herman, NP |
| |
Jenna Herman, NP approaches her work with acute and chronic pain patients with a desire to learn from her patients. Jenna studied the palliative care team she worked alongside in medical surgical oncology at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. “It influenced me,” said Jenna. “I wanted to learn how to treat people with everyday pain and how to treat pain without drugs.”
“We have five facets of care that guides our symptom management at Twin Cities Pain Clinic. When you approach a patient with these in mind, we as health care providers look at the whole person and all the different factors which might be playing a role in their pain,” said Jenna.
“The most rewarding part of my work is to see how the quality of life for a patient improves once the pain is under control,” said Jenna.
Jenna did her undergraduate studies at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and her Master’s at St. Scholastica in Duluth. She will be pursuing a doctorate degree at the University of Minnesota in pain management and would like to teach at the University in the future.
During her spare time, Jenna relaxes with her husband and their three cats and enjoys traveling whenever she can. |
| |
|
| |
| |
Amy Krenzer, NP |
| |
Amy Krenzer, N.P., said her interest in pain
management began while working at Hennepin County Medical
Center as a registered nurse. “I supervised patients in the
hospital and recognized how treating the pain benefits the
patient’s overall healing,” said Amy.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Community Health
from Mankato State University, Amy went to the College of
St. Catherine, Minneapolis campus, for a nursing degree. She
completed her advanced nursing degree at Metropolitan State
University in Saint Paul. Amy is a Certified Pain Management
Nurse and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pain Management.
Her greatest satisfaction comes from knowing she can provide
resources most patients have never heard of; and, therefore
providing hope to patients worn down by the stress of living
in pain.
Amy looks forward to her annual tropical vacation with her husband
and playing with their two dogs. |
| |
|
| |
| |
Molly McNaughton, NP |
| |
Molly McNaughton, N.P., was drawn to working
in the field of pain management and rehabilitation while working
in orthopedics at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. “After working
with patients who have been faced with a loss of function,
I find it very rewarding now to help patients get past their
pain and recover a full range of activities in their lives,”
said Molly.
She works at helping patient’s identify an activity they
have lost the ability to do and turn that into a goal for
their recovery. “I recently had a hard-driving corporate lawyer
who used to enjoy playing the piano to unwind,” said Molly.
“He thought he’d never play again and his focus was getting
back to work. However, with medical intervention and physical
therapy, he is back to work and playing the piano
again which has made him very happy.”
Molly received her Bachelor of Science and her Master’s of Science
from the College of St. Catherine’s in Saint Paul. She is married
and has four energetic daughters. In her free time, she enjoys
walking and biking on family outings. |
| |
|
| |
| |
Registered Nurses |
| |
Anna Poucher, RN |
| |
Anna Poucher, RN, comes to Twin Cities Pain Clinic with extensive experience in providing high level nursing care for young children with severe disabilities. After graduating from Bethel University, Arden Hills, Minnesota, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Anna cared for a young boy with CHARGE Syndrome, a complex genetic birth defect. "In addition to have a tracheotomy, my patient had no hearing. He attended a school for the deaf, so I was immersed in the deaf community and learned sign language along the way," said Anna. While she found the experience very rewarding, Anna likes her work in a clinical setting where she encounters a variety of conditions and treatment options every day.
She originally planned to study psychology and continues to explore the connections between the workings of the mind and how it relates to a person's response to pain.
Anna grew up in Vadnais Heights, MN. After a long distance relationship for four years, she married a man she has known since high school. Together, they like to travel and camp. After a honeymoon of backpacking through Europe, they have their sights set on traveling to Canada.
|
|
| |
| |
Lisa Richards, RN |
| |
 |
Lisa Richards, RN never takes our American medical services for granted. She has gained much of her early nursing experience in Haiti where she travels on regular health care missions. "I am preparing to go on my ninth trip to Haiti. It has become my passion to help these people," said Lisa. She took her first trip with her fellow nursing students at Crown College, in St. Bonifacious, Minnesota. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, she has made her own connections in Haiti and has funded most of her visits. On this next trip, Lisa will be working at an orphanage in Leogane, Haiti. She has two bags packed full of much needed clothing, diapers, and medical items required for wound care. She has learned to speak enough Creole to converse with children and hopes to continue to expand her knowledge of the language. Lisa was drawn to the Twin Cities Pain Clinic by the highly trained staff. "I could see how conscientious
everyone
|
|
|
| was and I immediately liked how the medical staff worked together to help care for the patients," she said.
"I am amazed that we have the resources to address so many chronic pain issues. We are very fortunate to have not only an understanding of how to address pain issues, but we also have so many resources to help people, especially those in chronic pain." |
|
|
| |
| |
Alicia Zuber, RN |
| |
Alicia Zuber, RN, knew from her first nursing preceptorship that she wanted to work in a fast-paced clinical setting. She enjoys the collaboration that goes on with medical staff in order to give the best individual patient care. "It's especially rewarding to get to know the people you are helping," said Alica. "Pain can be difficult to cope with every day. When we find the right treatment, it changes people, and it can be very gratifying to see this happen."
She grew up surrounded by mountains and enjoying deep powder snowboarding in Montana. But it was love and fishing for walleyes that drew her to Minnesota, and not necessarily in that order. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana. After graduation, she moved to the Twin Cities with her fiancé and has learned to embrace the short Minnesota summers. "We like to head for the cabin as much as possible to fish. I catch mostly walleye and northern, but I have pulled in a few muskies with luck," said Alicia. Whenever possible, she likes to escape to warm weather destinations in Florida and Mexico.
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
