Our Team
Welcome to Pain Specialists of Charleston, PA. Our mission is to alleviate or adequately manage pain through the most up-to-date interventional pain management treatment options available. The Pain Specialists of Charleston staff, led by Edward M. Tavel, Jr., MD, is highly experienced and committed to providing excellent and compassionate care to our patients.
Edward M. Tavel, Jr., MD - Founder and Medical Director
Born and raised in Charleston, SC, Dr. Tavel has practiced pain management since 1993. Passionate about providing his patients with the latest advances in pain treatment techniques, he leads his experienced medical staff in providing compassionate and customized care. Dr. Tavel uses a full range of interventional, non-surgical techniques and provides a comprehensive approach to treating pain. His special areas of interest include arthritis of the spine and chronic nerve related pain. He is specifically skilled in radiofrequency ablation for arthritic-related pain of the spine, and is one of the few physicians in the Charleston area performing neuromodulation therapy using spinal cord stimulation.
Dr. Tavel earned his undergraduate degree from Davidson College and his MD at the Medical University of South Carolina. He completed four additional years of anesthesia and pain medicine training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and was chief resident in his final year. He is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesia and the American Board of Pain Medicine. He maintains active membership in the Interventional Spinal Intervention Society (ISIS), as well as, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP). Dr. Tavel has been named as one of ASC’s “Industry Leaders to Know” as well as one of the top “150 Pain Management Physicians” nationwide. When he is not practicing pain medicine, Dr. Tavel can be found spending time with his wife and two sons.
Click here to view Dr. Tavel’s CV
Crystal Gutierrez, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Crystal Gutierrez is a certified physician assistant joining us from Louisiana. Crystal received a Bachelors degree in Biological Sciences from Louisiana State University and a Bachelors degree in Physician Assistant from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. She is a member of The American Academy of Physician Assistants. Crystal has years of experience in treating pain management patients.
Amanda B. McFann, MSN, FNP-C
Certified Nurse Practitioner
Amanda is a Certified Nurse Practitioner with Pain Specialists of Charleston and Pain Research of Charleston. A Charleston Native, Amanda earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Presbyterian College and attended MUSC for her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing. Amanda is a nationally accredited member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and has over 6 years experience as an NP.
Brittany Whiteside
PA-C Certified Physician Assistant
Brittany Whiteside is a certified physician assistant with Pain Specialists of Charleston. Brittany received a Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Georgia and a Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is a member of The American Academy of Physician Assistants and The South Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants.
Pain Specialists of Charleston Office Staff
Rick Grooms, Jr.
Chief Operations Officer
A Charleston native, Rick has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from The Citadel and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Midwestern State University. Rick served seven years in the Active Duty Air Force (1985-1992) and has nearly 20 years of human resource and healthcare experience. As the Chief Operating Officer of Pain Specialists of Charleston, Rick handles corporate development, contract negotiations, operations and human resources.
Lauren Cox
Front Office Manager
Lauren Cox is the Front Office Manager for Pain Specialists of Charleston. A South Carolina Native, she graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelors in Business Administration. After graduating, Lauren attended the Medical University of South Carolina and received a Masters Degree in Health Administration. Prior to joining the practice, Lauren worked in medical billing.
Sarah Liedberg, RN
Clinical Manager
Sarah Liedberg is a Clinical Manager for Pain Specialists of Charleston. A Georgia native, she graduated from Medical College of Georgia with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Prior to joining the practice , Sarah was a Pediatric Oncology/Hematology nurse at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Erica DeGroff
Marketing Director
Erica DeGroff is the Marketing Director at Pain Specialists of Charleston, P.A.. A graduate of Miami University (Ohio), Erica has worked in the advertising industry since 2006. She has extensive experience in market research, strategic planning and brand activation.
Amy Hack
Billing Manager
Amy Hack is the Billing Manager at Pain Specialists of Charleston. A Charleston native, Amy brings 20+ years of clinical and administrative experience to the practice. Amy is a graduate of The Medical University of South Carolina and has a Bachelor’s of Health Science with a focus in Healthcare Administration.
