Anthony Giuffrida, MD, a pain physician with Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Cantor Spine Institute, discusses his role as head of the pain management department and where he sees the field headed.
Question: How has your role as the department head of the pain management area evolved over the past two to three years? How have your responsibilities changed?
Dr. Anthony Giuffrida: I joined Cantor Spine Institute in July 2018 as director of the physical medicine and rehabilitation department. I've been making strides at being a leader in the South Florida community in pain management. At Cantor Spine Institute, we offer our patients, local and nationally, a variety of advanced treatments for pain management along with the most cutting-edge procedures. There is no pain that we cannot treat. I’m also of the new age of pain medicine which is on the leading edge of the fight against the opioid epidemic.
Q: What do you consider your No. 1 priority to ensure success in developing the pain management division of Cantor Spine?
AG: A dedicated and hardworking team is the No. 1 priority in having a successful practice. I want everyone to bring their own expertise and a high level of excellence to the practice every day.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you are facing as head of the department and how are you overcoming that?
AG: Right now, since I am new to the area, the biggest challenge is raising awareness about our pain management program and the procedures and treatments we can offer to our community and nationally. Our cutting-edge procedures can be a breath of fresh air to patients who have struggled with conventional pain management options in the past.
Q: What are your goals for 2019 in the area of spine pain management and what is your vision moving forward?
AG: My goal for 2019 is to grow the practice as a whole and become the top provider of pain management in South Florida. I want Cantor Spine Institute to be the go-to place for pain management offering the most safe, advanced and effective treatments for patients.