I am a neurosurgeon and researcher who focuses on surgical solutions for movement disorders and pain due to cancer, prior nerve injury, stroke, failed back surgery, limb amputation, trigeminal neuralgia and other causes. I have always been fascinated by how the brain and spinal cord works, converting a thought in your mind to a physical action or feeling. As a neurosurgeon, I get to treat people who have problems with this process. Every day, I get to help patients make dramatic improvements in their quality of life, which is greatly rewarding. At Duke, we’re lucky to have access to the latest technologies and world-class research. Our technology allows us to perform surgeries in the least invasive, most precise ways possible. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife and three young boys. Dr. Lad is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Neuralgia, Chronic Pain, Laminectomy, and Deep Brain Stimulation.

I’ve practiced interventional pain and musculoskeletal medicine for the past 20 years, and re-joined Duke in 2010 to build a program that sheds new light onto the treatments for nerve and arthritis pain. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with many talented clinicians and researchers in the United States and Europe, allowing us to build a program in the Center for Translational Pain Medicine that moves beyond traditional pain medications and avoids many of their risks and complications. Our treatments center around the application of regenerative therapies that promote the active resolution of inflammation and pain for several arthritic conditions. I find it extremely rewarding to watch patients progress during their treatment course and meet their goals. I’m currently the Division Chief for Pain Medicine, a member of Duke’s Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Director of Regenerative Pain Therapies, and serve on the Editorial Board of Pain Medicine. Dr. Buchheit is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Phantom Limb Pain, Chronic Pain, Acute Pain, and Neuralgia.

As director of Duke’s sickle cell transition program, my practice and research focuses on treating children and adults with sickle cell disease. When I work with children, I try to focus on teaching them about their condition and how to transition successfully to living with the disease as an adult. For all patients, I focus on providing the medical, social and psychological support they need to remain healthy. My research aims to increase engagement of sickle cell patients with their own care using mobile technology. Through the use of applications, we’re hoping to help patients, specifically children, better manage their symptoms and medications. Outside of work, I have a strong interest in art. In fact, one of my undergraduate majors was biological illustration. I enjoy drawing plants, animals and people. I’ve recently started getting back into this hobby. Dr. Shah is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Sickle Cell Disease, Hemoglobinopathy, Congenital Hemolytic Anemia, Hemolytic Anemia, and Bone Marrow Transplant.

Carl Smith is a Physiatrist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Smith has been practicing medicine for over 37 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Pain, Spinal Stenosis, Opisthotonos, and Muscle Spasms.

Jimmy Mali is a Physiatrist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Mali has been practicing medicine for over 19 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Chronic Pain, Cervical Spondylosis, and Invertebral Disc Disease.

Padma Gulur is a Pain Medicine specialist and an Anesthesiologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Gulur has been practicing medicine for over 28 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. Her top areas of expertise are Acute Pain, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, and Adenoidectomy.

I have worked at Duke Health since graduating from physician assistant school in 2004. Since joining Duke Health, I have worked for nine years in headache management and six and a half years in pain management, respectively. In July 2020, I decided to return to my passion for headache management at the Duke Neurological Disorders Clinic at Morreene Road. I love what I do and am passionate about improving the quality of life for patients who live with chronic pain. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, traveling, and trying out new restaurants!. Dr. Underwood is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. Her top areas of expertise are Migraine, New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH), Headache, and Chronic Pain.

Elisabeth Nadler is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Nadler is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. Her top areas of expertise are Anorexia, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Familial Hypertension, and Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism. Dr. Nadler is currently accepting new patients.

I went into medicine to improve justice and equity in the world. I am honored to be a primary care and family medicine doctor and I find great joy in building deep personal relationships with my patients (and hopefully their entire family)! I believe health care is a right and individuals deserve to have a doctor that is a trusted confidant and a fierce advocate for them. I provide full-spectrum primary care, including women's and reproductive health and gender-affirming care. I'm a father of two school-aged kids and, in my free time, love to cook, play guitar, and do anything that gets me outdoors (bike, hike, camp, etc.). Dr. Sawin is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Pilonidal Sinus Disease, Chronic Pain, Opioid Use Disorder, and Diabetic Neuropathy.

I was drawn to medicine at an early age and have always been fascinated with the blending of science and the humanities with the direct care of patients. I enjoy getting to know my patients as individuals, and their personal goals of treatment. I believe in using a broad spectrum of treatment options including procedural and non procedural options to provide comprehensive care. I am particularly interested in interventional pain management including ultrasound guided procedures, spine injections, and neuromodulation including spinal cord stimulation. I am very happy to be a part of Duke, working closely with excellent surgeons, neurologists, and nursing staff in order to provide the best care possible for my patients. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my wife and children. I like to travel and am an avid reader of history and biographies. Dr. Smith is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Cervical Spondylosis, Neuralgia, Klippel-Feil Syndrome, and Frontonasal Dysplasia Klippel Feil Syndrome.

My clinical interests include the assessment, diagnosis, and nonsurgical treatment of spine disorders; fluoroscope-guided lumbar facet-joint injections; epidural steroid injections; sacroiliac joint injections; radio-frequency ablation; ultrasound-guided peripheral-joint injections; musculoskeletal medicine; medical acupuncture; performing arts and dance medicine; pregnancy-related back pain; spine wellness; and integrative approaches to spine pain. Dr. Keeler is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. Her top areas of expertise are Scoliosis, Sciatica, Spinal Stenosis, and Cervical Spondylosis.

I have received formal training at several internationally recognized institutions covering the fields of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine and Interventional Pain Medicine. My goal is to bridge these fields and provide the most comprehensive rehabilitative care. My interests include degenerative osteoarthritis of the spine requiring minimally invasive spine procedures, spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, cancer related pain to the visceral organs as well as metastatic spine disease requiring bone tumor ablation and augmentation. Dr. Zein is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top area of expertise is Chronic Pain.

I specialize in the treatment of brain tumors and spinal disorders. I am a native of North Carolina and after spending time in military service, I have returned to provide care at Duke because I believe the people and assets here are dedicated to providing the best possible neurological care. I was drawn to the field of neurosurgery after my own family's experience with a brain tumor. I know firsthand that in the treatment of neurological disease, compassionate communication and joint decision-making with each patient is as important as the surgical procedure. I aim to bring up-to-date methods and treatments as part of a multi-disciplinary approach to help each patient deal with their illness. I also promise to help each individual understand all aspects of their care with the most honest and straightforward guidance that I can provide. In my spare time, I am very active in the outdoors of North Carolina as I enjoy spending time with my wife and four children. Dr. Cook is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Meningioma, Subdural Hematoma, Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Awake Craniotomy, and Sacral Nerve Stimulation.

Arun Ganesh is a Pain Medicine specialist and an Anesthesiologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Ganesh has been practicing medicine for over 14 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Acute Pain, Chronic Pain, Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT), and Phantom Limb Pain.

Joanna Kipnes is a primary care provider, practicing in Hospital Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Kipnes has been practicing medicine for over 21 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. Her top areas of expertise are Sickle Cell Disease, Chronic Pain, Sepsis, Osteomyelitis in Children, and Hip Replacement.

Hung-lun John is an Anesthesiologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. John has been practicing medicine for over 18 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Acute Pain, Phantom Limb Pain, Neuralgia, Chronic Pain, and Knee Replacement.

Susan Nicole is a primary care provider, practicing in Geriatrics in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Nicole has been practicing medicine for over 27 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Arthritis, Dementia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Venous Thromboembolism (VTE).

Neurosurgery is a challenging field of medicine but is very rewarding. I specialize in brain tumor, pituitary neoplasm, and complex spinal disorders and deformity. I find it important to educate my patients on the surgical options available to them. I believe building a great patient-provider relationship is essential to achieving excellent clinical and surgical outcomes. Dr. Ahmed is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Syringobulbia, Chiari Malformation Type 2, Syringomyelia, Laminectomy, and Microdiscectomy.

I specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation, with a focus in spine and pain medicine. My goal is to improve each patient's level of function and quality of life by offering comprehensive rehabilitative care to those suffering with pain. I manage conservative treatments, such as medications, physical therapy, injections or implanted devices, to control pain. I work closely with Duke spine surgeons to help patients before or after surgery. I believe in viewing the patient as a whole in order to determine an effective treatment plan. Outside of medicine I am heavily involved in the performing arts. I am a Juilliard-trained classical pianist. I enjoy life in both medicine and music, as both fields demand a high skill level for listening, communicating, and sharing a depth of compassion. Being a physician is a great privilege. I strive to use my skills to offer a high level of personalized care. Dr. Mariano is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. Her top areas of expertise are Invertebral Disc Disease, Central Pain Syndrome, Chronic Pain, and Scoliosis.

I spent five years doing plastic surgery for burn victims, during which time I saw many patients who had very limited function and suffered chronic pain. Physical medicine and rehabilitation attracted me because it focuses on the patient’s functional improvement and quality of life. I specialize in delivering individualized, integrated, and expedited care that helps my patients reach their functional goals. I perform image-guided interventional spine procedures, medical management and acupuncture. While my focus is on providing nonsurgical treatments, I am both fortunate and honored to closely partner with the exceptional spine surgeons at the Duke Spine Center. I look forward to meeting you and helping alleviate your back and neck pain. Dr. Liu is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. Her top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Sciatica, Scoliosis, and Cervical Spondylosis.