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Home ›New Pain Clinic very popular at Veterans Memorial Hospital; Clinic days added

Additional availability at VMH Pain Management Clinic ... Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Pain Management Clinic began October 8, and has been extremely popular, doubling the amount of days per month right from the beginning. Patient Callie O’Neill of Waukon is pictured above, seated at front, with her pain management team. Left to right are Jessica Jones, RN, Surgery Manager; Laura Wiltgen, Surgery RN; Abby Dornath, Pain Clinic and Infusion Manager; Shawn Blake, CRNA; and Robyn Hirth, Surgery RN. Patients with chronic pain, such as Callie’s migraine pain, can be referred to this clinic by their primary care provider, physical therapist or chiropractor. Once the referral is received, the hospital’s Pain Management Team will reach out to schedule the appointment. Submitted photo.
The new Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Pain Management Clinic began October 8, offering new pain management options through specialized provider Shawn Blake, CRNA, and has been extremely popular. The initial plan was to hold a clinic one day a month, but due to the high demand, he immediately had to open up an additional day that month and has continued to do so these first three months since the start of his clinic.
Patients who qualify for this specialized service include those with chronic pain who have attempted therapies such as massage, chiropractic care, physical and/or occupational therapy without long-term relief. They can be referred to the Pain Management Clinic by their primary care provider, physical therapist, or chiropractor who can send a referral directly to Veterans Memorial Hospital. Once the referral is received, the hospital’s Pain Management Coordinator will reach out to schedule the appointment.
That is what Betty Irons of Waukon did for her pain relief. She states, “I can’t say enough good about Shawn Blake - he is just wonderful! He is very patient, kind and listened closely to all of my concerns. I was so impressed.”
“I have a history of SI joint problems and was referred to physical therapy at Veterans Memorial Hospital. They helped me very much at first, but they knew it was my SI joint and that I needed more help,” explains Betty. “They referred me to see Shawn at the new pain clinic. I was able to get an injection the very first time I met with him. I didn’t have to wait long at all to get in and it was a great help and relief in my pain level. I was happy I was able to start going for my walks once again.”
“His nurse, Abby, is wonderful, too. I couldn’t have gotten any better care! I am very satisfied. I did have a follow-up the next month and they even noticed something else that Shawn could help me with and I appreciated that so much,” concludes Betty. “I will definitely go back to him whenever needed.
We are so fortunate to have that service right here! They are all top of the line.”
Shawn provides epidural steroid injections, joint injections (including shoulder, knee, hip, and facets), and treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndromes (CRPS). He also offers medication management when appropriate, without the use of narcotics.
“It has been an exciting start to the Pain Management Clinic. We have been fortunate to be able to provide such a service right here at Veterans Memorial Hospital,” states Abby Dornath, RN, Pain Clinic and Infusion Manager. “The community support of our service has definitely attributed to our success. Being able to watch patients who have been dealing with pain for three months or greater leave our clinic after a procedure with little to no pain has been very rewarding. I look forward to what is in store for our Pain Management Clinic as we continue to grow!”
Blake treats patients of all ages, as shown here in the accompanying photo of he and his staff with Callie O’Neill of Waukon. O’Neill has had a long history of frequent migraines and was encouraged to try this treatment by her doctor in Rochester, MN. Dr. Jackie at Waukon Family Chiropractic did the actual referral paperwork. O’Neill states, “The injection I received has helped me with my migraines so much. My migraines are very less frequent now and when they do start to come on again, I know it is time to go see Shawn for another injection. It has been a huge relief.”
O’Neill’s mother, Mandy O’Neill, shares, “Shawn is very compassionate and caring and went over all options with us. It is great to have this kind of care so close to home.”
When non-invasive methods of improving pain are not providing adequate relief, there are more advanced options the Pain Management Team can use including trigger point injections, fluoroscopic Guided Joint Injections, image-guided nerve blocks, and facet injections.
For more information, call the Infusion and Outpatient Treatment Center at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 563-568-3411 and ask for the Pain Management Clinic.