Our Staff

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.

Medical Providers:

Dr. Edward M. Tavel

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.

Ryan Galica, MD-C

Board Certified Physician

Ryan Galica, MD received his medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University and then completed a Categorical Anesthesia Residency at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. Following residency, Dr. Galica continued at University Hospitals Case Medical Center where he completed his year-long Fellowship in Pain Medicine. Dr. Galica also acts as an Investigator for Clinical Trials of Carolina, a partner of Pain Specialists of Charleston.

Kinsey Knight, PA-C

Certified Physician Assistant

Kinsey Knight is a certified physician assistant with Pain Specialists of Charleston. Kinsey graduated Magna cum Laude from Clemson University with a Bachelors Degree in Science. After completing her undergraduate degree, Kinsey attended Eastern Virginia Medical School where she received her Masters of Physician Assistant degree. Prior to joining the Pain Specialists of Charleston team, Kinsey worked at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in their Pediatric Emergency Department.

Carly Runey, PA-C

Certified Physician Assistant

Carly Runey is a certified physician assistant with Pain Specialists of Charleston. Carly received her Bachelors Degree at The University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. Carly attended South University in Savannah, GA where she received her Masters of Physician Assistant degree.

Erica DeGroff

Chief Operating and Business Officer

Erica DeGroff is our Company’s Chief Operating and Business Officer. A graduate of Miami University (Ohio), Erica has over ten years experience in client services and management.

Amy Abrams

Billing and Insurance Manager

Amy Hack is the Billing and Insurance Manager for Pain Specialists. A Charleston Native, Amy brings over 20 years of clinical and administrative experience to our organization. Amy is a graduate of The Medical University of South Carolina and has a Bachelor’s of Health Science.

Jessica Cruell

Chief Administrative and Human Resources Officer

Jessica Cruell is the Operations & Administrative Officer for Pain Specialists of Charleston and Neurology Specialists of Charleston. A Charleston Southern University graduate with extensive healthcare experience, Jessica joins our management team with 12 years of industry experience. Prior to joining our management team, Jessica was Operating Officer at a major Urgent Care Organization.

Amy Smith

Clinical Manager

Amy Smith has been with Pain Specialists of Charleston for over 6 years. As the clinical manager, Amy acts as a liaison and lead trainer for our clinical staff. Amy has worked in both hospitals and private practice and brings over 20 years clinical experience to our team.