Dr. Sandra Thompson is a board-certified anesthesiologist and accomplished pain management specialist with more than three decades of medical experience. She is the founder and CEO of The Pain Center, where she is dedicated to providing innovative, comprehensive solutions for patients living with chronic and complex pain.

Dr. Thompson earned her medical degree from the University of California, San Diego, and completed her residency at Oregon Health & Science University, where she pursued advanced training in anesthesiology and pain management. She is board certified in anesthesiology and has served patients in the Boise, Idaho community for many years.

Known for her patient-centered approach, Dr. Thompson believes that effective pain management should help people regain function, improve their quality of life, and return to the activities they enjoy. Her professional interests also extend to advanced interventional spine and pain-management technologies, physician education, and the continued advancement of minimally invasive treatment options.

Dr. Erik C. Spayde is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of complex neck and back disorders. He has been performing spine surgery since 2005, with expertise in conditions including disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, kyphosis, and spinal fractures.

Dr. Spayde earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency through Harvard at Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by advanced fellowship training in complex spinal reconstruction at the Spine Institute at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica.

A leader in spine surgery and innovation, Dr. Spayde has a particular interest in artificial disc replacement and has participated in clinical research involving advanced spinal technologies and implants. He has presented his research at national and international spine conferences and published numerous scientific articles. He currently serves as Chief of Spine Surgery at Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, California, where he is committed to combining innovative, minimally invasive techniques with comprehensive, patient-centered care.

Dr. Luis M. Fandos is a board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine specialist with more than 20 years of experience treating complex and chronic pain conditions. He is affiliated with National Spine & Pain Centers and practices in the Long Island, New York area.

A native of Argentina, Dr. Fandos earned his medical degree from Universidad de Cartagena in Colombia and completed his residency and fellowship training in anesthesiology and interventional pain management in New York. He is board certified by both the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine.

Dr. Fandos is recognized for his expertise in advanced, minimally invasive approaches to pain management, including spinal cord stimulation, epidural and facet injections, radiofrequency procedures, and treatments for spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, neuropathic pain, and complex regional pain syndrome. He has also been involved in research and physician education, teaching pain management to medical residents and serving in leadership roles within hospital pain-management programs

Dr. William M. Costigan is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery and the comprehensive treatment of spinal disorders. Based in Pasadena, California, he is affiliated with Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics at Huntington Health and has extensive experience treating both surgical and non-surgical conditions of the spine.

Dr. Costigan earned his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine of USC and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at LAC+USC Medical Center. He subsequently completed advanced fellowship training in spine surgery at the USC Center for Orthopaedic Spinal Surgery, followed by additional training in complex spinal surgery at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Kingsley R. Chin is an orthopedic spine surgeon, professor, innovator, and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience advancing spine care, medical technology, and physician education. He is the founder of the LESS Institute and LESS Society and has dedicated his career to developing and promoting less-invasive approaches to spine surgery.

Dr. Chin earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed orthopedic surgery residency training through the Harvard program, followed by fellowships in adult reconstructive orthopedic surgery and spine surgery. He previously served as Chief of Spine Surgery and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Pennsylvania before establishing his academic private practice in Florida. He currently serves as Professor of Clinical Biomedical Sciences and Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery.

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Dr. Abdul Q. Shahid is a physician specializing in pain management and the treatment of patients living with chronic and complex pain. Based in Beavercreek, Ohio, Dr. Shahid focuses on developing individualized treatment approaches designed to help patients manage pain, improve function, and enhance their quality of life.

With a patient-centered approach to care, Dr. Shahid works with patients to evaluate the underlying causes of their pain and develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to their individual needs. His practice emphasizes compassionate care, thoughtful evaluation, and evidence-based approaches to pain management.

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Dr. Yeshvant A. Navalgund is a board-certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist with extensive experience in interventional pain management, physician education, and healthcare innovation. He has more than two decades of experience developing advanced approaches to the treatment of chronic and complex pain.

Dr. Navalgund earned his medical degree from Saba University School of Medicine, completed an internship at the University of Virginia, and pursued anesthesiology residency training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He subsequently completed a fellowship in Interventional Chronic Pain Management at West Virginia University, where he also served as an Assistant Professor and helped advance the academic practice of pain medicine.

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Taylor Headley, MBA, serves as Operations Manager for the LESS Society, supporting the organization’s mission to advance Less Exposure Spine Surgery (LESS) through education, collaboration, and innovation. She works closely with LESS Society leadership, faculty, and industry partners to coordinate strategic initiatives, educational programs, and society operations. Taylor brings a background in healthcare strategy, business development, and organizational execution, with a focus on expanding access to innovative approaches in spine care. 

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