Shawn Blake returns home to begin Pain Clinic for those suffering from chronic pain
Shawn Blake, RN Anesthetist ... Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will begin offering a Pain Management Clinic to the area starting in October. Shawn Blake, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, pictured above, will begin offering his services to provide relief for patients with chronic pain. The Pain Clinic will be managed by the hospital’s Infusion and Outpatient Treatment Center. Submitted photo.
Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will begin offering a Pain Management Clinic to the area starting in October. Shawn Blake, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, originally of Dorchester, will begin offering his services to provide relief for patients with chronic pain. The Pain Clinic will be managed by the hospital’s Infusion and Outpatient Treatment Center.
“The goal of our new Pain Management Clinic is to focus on the diagnosis and management of chronic pain using a variety of methods,” explains Abby Dornath, Infusion and Outpatient Clinic Manager at Veterans Memorial Hospital. “Our staff will work with you and your primary care provider to manage your pain. Those who have attempted other therapies such as massage, chiropractic care, physical/occupational therapy without long-term relief can be referred to this clinic. Shawn will help you explore alternative, advanced methods to managing your pain to get you the relief you need.”
Shawn Blake has been providing Chronic Pain Management services since 2019. He states, “I enjoy treating patients that pain has greatly affected their day-to-day activities. Helping those suffering regain their life back is very fulfilling for me personally and professionally.” He explains, “Since I grew up in Allamakee County, I have always wanted to bring a service to my hometown that has been unfortunately lacking for many years. Working with patients at Regional Health Services of Howard County, I am constantly reminded of the burden placed on patients in pain that need to travel to receive these vital services. I am happy to now be doing this locally.”
Blake will be providing Epidural Steroid Injections, joint injections (including; shoulder, knee, hip, and facets), Radiofrequency ablation to the neck, low back, SI, and joints, and treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndromes (CRPS). He will offer medication management when appropriate without the use of narcotics.
Blake earned his Doctorate Degree in Nurse Anesthesia from the University of Iowa and is certified by Premier Pain Management for Chronic Pain. He has been providing pain management services for five years and is now extending his clinic to Waukon.
“I am excited to be joining the VMH team. Bringing a new service to VMH is a full circle moment for me and my career,” he adds. “I look forward to trying to make a profound positive impact in the community.”
Patients will be able to see Blake in both the Waukon and Cresco clinics. The average waiting time for a patient to be seen, nationally, by a pain provider is approximately six to eight weeks from the time of referral, but Blake’s goal is to offer a visit within two to three weeks, and even earlier if possible.
Anyone who has been dealing with chronic pain and would like to set up an appointment with this new Pain Management Clinic, should talk with their primary care provider, physical therapist, or chiropractor, and ask for a referral to be sent to the Veterans Memorial Hospital team. Once they have received the referral information, the Pain Management Coordinator will reach out and schedule an appointment with new pain management provider Shawn Blake.
