Medhat Mikhael, M.D.
Medical Director
Diplomate American Board of
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine

Dr. Mikhael our medical director is double board certified in both Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine.

Dr. Mikhael is fellowship trained in Pain Medicine and is the director of the Pain Medicine Division, Department of Anesthesiology Hoag Memorial Presbyterian Hospital and cancer center.

Dr. Mikhael has a Surgical background with a Master degree in general and trauma surgery which adds to his experience in surgical interventions for treatment of chronic pain.

Dr. Mikhael has a special interest in some of the complicated aspects of chronic pain including neuropathic and cancer pain and he is an active member on the cancer committee of of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and both Long Beach Memorial and Orange Coast Memorial Hospitals.

William Barreto, M.D
Diplomate American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine

Dr. Barreto is a board certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician and is board certified in Pain Management. He attended medical school at Loma Linda University, in southern California. Drawn by their focus on whole person care and an exceptional learning environment, Dr. Barreto remained at Loma Linda for Residency in PM&R and for Fellowship training in Pain Management. After completing Residency, Dr. Barreto accepted an academic position at the Loma Linda VA Hospital, affording him the opportunity to teach PM&R Residents and Pain Fellows the intricacies of treating painful musculoskeletal conditions. Dr. Barreto holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology which continues to be a valuable asset when assisting people with the many psychological challenges which accompany chronic pain. Having previously been the medical director of a peer review company which focused on Workers Compensation claims, Dr. Barreto is proficient at navigating the challenges presented by that system. In his free time, Dr. Barreto enjoys competing in Triathlons, rockclimbing, wakesurfing, and traveling.

Phillip Chiou, M.D
American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine.

Dr. Chiou is a physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Pain Management. As a high school student, he experienced chronic back pain and those experiences propelled his interests in helping other with chronic pain conditions, especially spine-based pain. Dr. Chiou obtained his undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley and then attended Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Afterwards, he did his internship at UC Irvine Medical Center followed by residency training at Harvard Medical School/Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. He then completed a pain management fellowship at Loma Linda University. Through his training, Dr Chiou has developed interests in spine interventions including spinal cord stimulators, functional rehabilitation, and the use of neuropsychology to help patients better cope with chronic pain. He believes in a holistic approach to patient care and well being and takes a conservative approach to prescribing narcotic pain medications.

In his free time, Dr. Chiou enjoys playing basketball, swimming, cooking, and traveling.

Catherine F. De Guzman, NP

Catherine F. De Guzman is a Nurse Practitioner and a RN First Assistant. She acquired her Masters in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner’s degree from the University of Phoenix, and obtained her RN First Assistant Certificate from UCLA. She spent several years in Medical-Surgical, Critical Care and Operating Room Nursing. She proceeded to become a Neurosurgery Nurse Practitioner (adult and pediatrics) for 11 years in collaboration with the largest Neurosurgery group in Orange County, California. She took part in numerous major spine cases, anterior and posterior spine instrumentations, and various cases like implantation of spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal pumps, brain tumor resections, aside from the many other common neurosurgical procedures.

She was affiliated with 5 hospitals in Orange County for the past 11 years ( St Joseph, St.Jude, CHOC, Western Medical Center, Mission Regional Medical Center, Children’s Hospital at Mission.), and served as first assistant to five neurosurgeons (pediatric & adult) within that time frame. She is also allied with the Aloha Medical-Surgical Mission group that renders charity work to underserved communities in the world. She is currently a member in good standing of the Association of Peri-Operative Registered Nurse Association (AORN); and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). She believes that her very ample neurosurgical background has instilled in her a very deep interest in pain management.

Susan Font, PA-C

Susan Font graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science. She attended Loma Linda University Physician Assistant Program, from which she earned a Master of Physician Assistant Science degree.

Ms. Font is an active member of the California Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She is currently a staff member at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center.

 
Odessa Speirs, PA-C

Odessa Speirs earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, from California State University, Long Beach.  During her undergraduate years, she worked in exercise and physical therapy and has enjoyed a long standing interest in orthopedic and musculoskeletal disorders. She earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from King’s College in Pennsylvania, and is currently active with the American and California Academy of Physician Assistants.  As with the other members of our team, she provides pain management services to our clinic patients as well as in patient care at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center, Hoag Presbyterian and Hoag Irvine Hospitals.

Dr. Timothy Sams

Dr. Tim Sams is a rehabilitation and pain psychologist with 27 years experience treating pain patients.  He is the author of ABC’s of Pain Relief and Treatment: Advances, Breakthroughs, and Choices.   He is clinical faculty at University of California – Irvine where he has trained medical and psychological residents and fellows in behavioral pain management.  He has lectured nationwide on the role of behavioral factors in pain.  He developed the Personal Pain Paradigm Assessment, the first computer scored pain inventory that educates patients about their pain coping.

Mark is a board certified Physician Assistant and has been practicing medicine as a PA since 1981 when he graduated from Long Island University’s PA Program. He completed an Emergency Medicine Residency at LAC/USC Medical Center and has practiced in Orthopedics for over thirty years working as an Orthopedic Surgical Trauma PA as well as with Hand & Total Joint Services before deciding to specialize in Pain Management. Mark takes care of our hospital patients, and has privileges at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, Irvine, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, and Fountain Valley Regional Medical Center. He is a member of the Academy of Physician Assistants and the California Academy of Physician Assistants. Mark enjoys hiking and is a member of The Laguna Coast Wilderness Foundation. He is also a PADI certified Rescue Diver